Jamie McClen explained

Jamie McClen
Fullname:James David McClen
Birth Date:13 May 1979
Birth Place:Cramlington, England
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1989–1997
Youthclubs1:Newcastle United
Years1:1997–2005
Clubs1:Newcastle United
Caps1:14
Goals1:0
Years2:2000–2001
Clubs2:Motherwell (loan)
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Years3:2005
Clubs3:Carlisle United
Caps3:2
Goals3:0
Years4:2006
Clubs4:Blyth Spartans
Caps4:1
Goals4:1
Years5:2006
Clubs5:Shrewsbury Town
Caps5:4
Goals5:0
Years6:2006–2007
Clubs6:Kidderminster Harriers
Caps6:5
Goals6:0
Years7:2006–2007
Clubs7:Bedlington Terriers (loan)
Caps7:7
Goals7:2
Years8:2007
Clubs8:Hamilton Academical
Caps8:3
Goals8:0
Years9:2007–2008
Clubs9:Gateshead
Caps9:31
Goals9:0
Years10:2008
Clubs10:Newcastle Blue Star (loan)
Years11:2008–2009
Clubs11:Newcastle Blue Star
Years12:2009–2010
Clubs12:Morpeth Town
Totalcaps:70
Totalgoals:3
Club-Update:22:27, 15 August 2010 (UTC)

James David McClen (born 13 May 1979) is an English retired footballer who played as a defender or midfielder.

Early life and youth career

McClen attended St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School in Bedlington, Northumberland. He honed his footballing skills at the youth academy of Newcastle United at the age of 10 after being spotted whilst playing for Cramlington Juniors.

Playing career

Newcastle United

McClen debuted for Newcastle in 1999 against Tottenham Hotspur under the management of Ruud Gullit. Gullit offered McClen a long-term deal which was promptly signed. He drifted out of the first-team picture for a few years, only to get a break in the team when injuries took their toll on Newcastle. McClen took his chance, including a goal against Peterborough United in the FA Cup,[1] going on to make 10 more appearances in the 2001–02 season, including against Arsenal in the FA Cup. McClen's performances that season, in which Newcastle finished 4th, earned him another long-term deal which was promptly signed. However, McClen struggled to retain his place in the first team before eventually being released in 2005 to Carlisle United.

Later career

McClen's spell at Carlisle only lasted a few months before he was released. He then went to Blyth Spartans on a short-term basis. He returned to the Football League to join Shrewsbury Town, but he was released due to concerns over his fitness levels. In June 2006 he signed a 12-month contract with Kidderminster Harriers of the Football Conference. On 3 November 2006, McClen returned to the north-east to play for Bedlington Terriers on loan.

McClen was released by Kidderminster in January 2007[2] and signed for Hamilton Academical until the end of the season.[3] However, he was released in March 2007.[4]

In August 2007, McClen joined Northern Premier League outfit Gateshead ahead of the 2007–08 season.[5] January 2008 saw McClen join Newcastle Blue Star on loan until the end of the season.[6] The move became permanent at the start of the 2008–09 season.

After Newcastle Blue Star dissolved, McClean joined Morpeth Town, before a trial with Thai Premier League side Pattaya United F.C.[7] in January 2010. McClen opted to stay in the north-east as he had a young family.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Magpies edge past Posh . . 27 January 2002 . 9 November 2009.
  2. News: McClen and Harriers part company . 11 January 2007 . 11 January 2007 . BBC Sport.
  3. News: Hamilton secure Harriers' McClen . 31 March 2007 . 31 January 2007 . BBC Sport.
  4. News: Jag's can't count on staying up . 5 April 2007 . 3 April 2007 . Daily Record.
  5. News: Bogie quietly confident of success . 2 September 2007 . 12 August 2007 . icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk .
  6. News: New signings for Newcastle Blue Star . 1 February 2008 . 1 February 2008 . Newcastle Evening Chronicle . 16 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191216060341/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football-newcastle/2008/02/01/new-signings-for-newcastle-blue-star-72703-20423852/ . dead .
  7. thaileagueonline.com: report about the signing