Leon Clarke

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Leon Clarke

| image = Leon-Clarke-04-Nov-2017 (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Clarke in 2017, after scoring all four goals for Sheffield United in a 4–1 win against Hull City

| fullname = Leon Marvin Clarke{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697130 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 released lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=11 July 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|2|10|df=y}}{{cite book | editor-first = Barry J.

| editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 | year = 2009 | publisher = Mainstream Publishing

| isbn = 978-1-84596-474-0}}

| birth_place = Birmingham, England

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}

| position = Striker

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2003

| youthclubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers

| years1 = 2003–2007

| clubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers

| caps1 = 74

| goals1 = 13

| years2 = 2004

| clubs2 = → Kidderminster Harriers (loan)

| caps2 = 4

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2006

| clubs3 = → Queens Park Rangers (loan)

| caps3 = 1

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2006

| clubs4 = → Plymouth Argyle (loan)

| caps4 = 5

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2007–2010

| clubs5 = Sheffield Wednesday

| caps5 = 83

| goals5 = 18

| years6 = 2007

| clubs6 = → Oldham Athletic (loan)

| caps6 = 5

| goals6 = 3

| years7 = 2007–2008

| clubs7 = → Southend United (loan)

| caps7 = 16

| goals7 = 8

| years8 = 2010–2011

| clubs8 = Queens Park Rangers

| caps8 = 13

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2011

| clubs9 = → Preston North End (loan)

| caps9 = 6

| goals9 = 1

| years10 = 2011–2012

| clubs10 = Swindon Town

| caps10 = 2

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2011

| clubs11 = → Chesterfield (loan)

| caps11 = 14

| goals11 = 9

| years12 = 2012–2013

| clubs12 = Charlton Athletic

| caps12 = 7

| goals12 = 0

| years13 = 2012

| clubs13 = → Crawley Town{{ref label|Sbase|A|}} (loan)

| caps13 = 4

| goals13 = 1

| years14 = 2012

| clubs14 = → Scunthorpe United (loan)

| caps14 = 15

| goals14 = 11

| years15 = 2013

| clubs15 = → Coventry City (loan)

| caps15 = 1

| goals15 = 0

| years16 = 2013–2014

| clubs16 = Coventry City

| caps16 = 34

| goals16 = 23

| years17 = 2014–2015

| clubs17 = Wolverhampton Wanderers

| caps17 = 29

| goals17 = 3

| years18 = 2015

| clubs18 = → Wigan Athletic (loan)

| caps18 = 10

| goals18 = 1

| years19 = 2015–2016

| clubs19 = Bury

| caps19 = 32

| goals19 = 15

| years20 = 2016–2020

| clubs20 = Sheffield United

| caps20 = 88

| goals20 = 29

| years21 = 2019

| clubs21 = → Wigan Athletic (loan)

| caps21 = 15

| goals21 = 3

| years22 = 2020–2021

| clubs22 = Shrewsbury Town

| caps22 = 10

| goals22 = 1

| years23 = 2021–2022

| clubs23 = Bristol Rovers

| caps23 = 11

| goals23 = 2

| years24 = 2023

| clubs24 = Hartlepool United

| caps24 = 3

| goals24 = 0

| years25 = 2023

| clubs25 = → Rushall Olympic (loan)

| caps25 = 7

| goals25 = 1

| years26 = 2023

| clubs26 = Kettering Town

| caps26 = 6

| goals26 = 0

| years27 = 2023–2024

| clubs27 = Mickleover

| caps27 = 8

| goals27 = 1

| totalcaps = 503

| totalgoals = 143

| club-update = 19:27, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

}}

Leon Marvin Clarke (born 10 February 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Clarke began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers but then played for twenty-three clubs – in both permanent and loan deals – over the subsequent years. He played in the Premier League for Sheffield United and as well as spells at Wolves he played at EFL Championship level for Queens Park Rangers, Plymouth Argyle,Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End and Wigan Athletic. He also played professionally for Kidderminster Harriers, Oldham Athletic, Southend United, Swindon Town, Chesterfield, Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Crawley Town, Scunthorpe United, Bury, Shrewsbury Town, Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool United. In 2023 he played for non-league side Rushall Olympic.

Club career

=Wolverhampton Wanderers=

Having progressed through Wolverhampton Wanderers' youth academy, Clarke made his senior debut for his hometown club in a League Cup win over Darlington on 23 September 2003.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3125142.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Wolves 2–0 Darlington|date=23 September 2003}} Though he did not feature at all in the team's Premier League campaign of that season, he was awarded a two-year contract extension during it.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/3529981.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Double joy for Wolves duo|date=3 March 2004}}

After a loan period at Kidderminster Harriers in spring 2004,{{cite news|title=Harriers add trio|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11698/2294623/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 March 2004|access-date=11 January 2013}} he made his breakthrough into the Wolves first team in the 2004–05 season, making his league debut as a substitute in their opening match at Stoke City{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3541602.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Stoke 2–1 Wolves|date=8 August 2004}} and going on to score his first goal in the following game against Preston North End.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3942395.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Wolves 2–2 Preston|date=11 August 2004}} He ended the campaign with eight goals from 31 appearances.{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=36472|publisher=Soccerbase|title=Soccerbase: Leon Clarke}}

During the 2005–06 season his fortunes were mixed, as he benefited from injuries to others in the early part of the season, before slipping down the pecking order later in the season, after new players were signed. He angered sections of the Wolves' support after making a "shhh"-ing gesture toward the crowd after he scored a goal against Plymouth Argyle in January 2006.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+CLARKE+TAUNT+OK+WITH+BOSS%3b+WOLVES+1+PLYMOUTH+0+Hoddle...-a0140653024|publisher=Birmingham Mail|title=Clarke taunt OK with boss|date=8 January 2006}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Ince+warns+Clarke+to+let+feet+do+the+talking.-a0140732628|publisher=Birmingham Mail|title=Ince warns Clarke to let feet do the talking|date=9 January 2006}} Although his manager, Glenn Hoddle, was not critical of Clarke's gesture, the striker was only selected once more during the remainder of the season and was twice loaned out to other Championship sides; first to Queens Park Rangers,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3942395.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=QPR snap up Wolves pair on loan|date=1 February 2006}} then to Plymouth Argyle,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/4838370.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Argyle complete Clarke loan swoop|date=23 March 2006}} failing to score at either.

Clarke returned to feature regularly for Wolves during the first half of the 2006–07 season and set himself a target of 15 goals for the campaign.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/6123916.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Striker sets Wolves goal target|date=7 November 2006}} However, in the January transfer window he was transfer-listed when manager Mick McCarthy said he wanted to "freshen up" the strike force.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/6242627.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Clarke transfer listed by Wolves|date=8 January 2007}}

=Sheffield Wednesday=

On 15 January 2007, then Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws announced that the Owls had completed the signing of Clarke for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £300,000 signing a contract until 2009.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/6264869.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Owls sign Wolves striker Clarke|date=15 January 2007

|access-date=9 February 2008}} He was issued with the number 18 shirt, but only made five substitute appearances for the club before it was announced that he was to spend a month on loan at League One promotion-chasing side Oldham Athletic after Clarke requested a loan move to gain playing time.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oldham_athletic/6407987.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Oldham sign Owls striker Clarke|date=1 March 2007}} The striker made five appearances for Oldham, netting three times; his first goal coming against League One rivals Doncaster Rovers in a 4–0 victory on 11 March 2007.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6414927.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Oldham 4–0 Doncaster|date=9 March 2007}}

After returning to Hillsborough, he was immediately placed in the first team and scored on his first start in a 2–1 victory at Cardiff City.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6513485.stm|publisher=Oldham Athletic|title=Cardiff 1–2 Sheff Wed|website=BBC Sport|date=7 April 2007}} The early stages of the 2007–08 season, saw him only start one game though and he was again loaned out, joining League One Southend United until January on the final day of the 2007 summer transfer window.{{cite news| title=Southend sign Clarke and Odhiambo| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/6972685.stm| website=BBC Sport| date =31 August 2007}} Having scored on his club debut and set up both other goals in a 3–0 victory against Gillingham,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6973875.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Southend 3–0 Gillingham|date=8 September 2007}} Clarke ended this loan spell with eight goals from 16 appearances. After returning to his parent club he was restricted to one start and five substitute appearances in the rest of the 2007–08 season.

Although the 2008–09 season began with Clarke being told he was now surplus to requirements at Sheffield Wednesday,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/7431659.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Owls boss Laws looks to sell pair|date=2 June 2008}} he remained with the club and achieved his best goal return for them as he ended the campaign with eight goals from 30 appearances. He was rewarded with a contract extension for a further year after his manager praised him making "a fantastic amount of progress" during the year.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/8009981.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Wednesday extend Clarke contract|date=21 April 2009}}

The following season saw Clarke score six further goals, including one against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season in a match that could have seen either side relegated from the Championship. However, in celebrating the goal, he kicked the advertising boarding, dislocated his toe and had to be substituted.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8646785.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Sheff Wed 2–2 Crystal Palace|date=2 May 2010}} The game finished 2–2, which saw Wednesday relegated to League One. Three days later it was announced he would not be offered a new contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10304~2044277,00.html |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C |title=Irvine reveals retained list |date=5 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507223632/http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10304~2044277%2C00.html |archive-date= 7 May 2010 }}

=Queens Park Rangers=

Clarke signed for Queens Park Rangers on 21 May 2010 on a two-year contract, with manager Neil Warnock stating that he believed Clarke had "underachieved" but was "worth a gamble".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8698122.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=QPR sign Sheffield Wednesday striker Leon Clarke|date=21 May 2010}} However, he struggled to make any impact, failing to score in fifteen appearances before being loaned to Preston North End in January 2011 until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/preston/9379998.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=QPR striker Leon Clarke makes Preston North End switch|date=28 January 2011}} He scored his only goal during his six Preston games on 15 February 2011 against Watford.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9395086.stm|website=BBC Sport|title=Watford 2–2 Preston|date=15 February 2011}}

=Swindon Town=

On 19 August 2011, QPR – now promoted to the Premier League – confirmed that Clarke's contract had been terminated by mutual consent.{{cite news | url=http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2425720,00.html | title=Clarke contract terminated | publisher=QPR official website | date=19 August 2011 | access-date=22 August 2011}} The same day, he signed for League Two side Swindon Town on a two-year contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14497043|website=BBC Sport|title=Striker Leon Clarke joins Swindon Town on two-year deal|date=19 August 2011}}

After a 1–3 loss to Southampton, Clarke was involved in an altercation with Claudio Donatelli, the Swindon fitness coach. After his manager Paolo Di Canio intervened, the manager and player were shown on television cameras arguing and having to be separated by coaching staff.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14726229.stm| title=Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio in bust-up with own player| website=BBC Sport| date=31 August 2011 | access-date=31 August 2011}} Swindon Town chairman Jeremy Wray subsequently confirmed that the club would be looking to offload Clarke on loan as a result of the incident and Di Canio himself stated that Clarke would never play for Swindon whilst he (Di Canio) remained as manager.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14731714.stm| title=Leon Clarke to leave Swindon Town after Di Canio spat| website=BBC Sport| date=31 August 2011 | access-date=1 September 2011}}

On 8 September, he signed a three-month loan deal at League One club Chesterfield.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14820753.stm | website=BBC Sport| title=Chesterfield complete Clarke loan | date=9 September 2011}} Manager John Sheridan had been in charge at Oldham when Clarke spent a loan spell there. Following his loan move to Chesterfield, Clarke denied comments by Di Canio that he is "not very professional".{{cite news|title=Clarke denies Di Canio comments|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7165345/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=9 September 2011|access-date=14 February 2012}} He subsequently scored on his home debut, followed by a first professional hat-trick against Carlisle, to end his loan spell with nine goals from 16 appearances.

=Charlton Athletic=

On 1 January 2012, Clarke signed for Charlton Athletic as part of a swap deal in exchange for Paul Benson.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16365047| website=BBC Sport| title=Swindon swap Leon Clarke for Charlton's Paul Benson| date=30 December 2011}} He made his first appearance for Charlton on 2 January 2012, coming on as a substitute against Brentford in a 2–0 win. However, his time at Charlton was short-lived as Clarke initially struggled; having made only one start. In March 2012, he was loaned out to Crawley Town until the end of the season.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17415631| website=BBC Sport| title=Crawley Town sign Leon Clarke from Charlton Athletic| date=17 March 2012}} Here, he made only three appearances, scoring his only goal for the club on 27 March against Bradford.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17441660| website=BBC Sport| title=Bradford 1–2 Crawley| date=27 March 2012}}

In the summer transfer window, Charlton rejected bids for Clarke from both Cheltenham Town{{cite news|title=Robins striker bid rejected|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7932953/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 July 2012|access-date=11 January 2013}} and Oldham Athletic.{{cite news|title=Addicks reject Clarke bid|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7884994/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=9 July 2012|access-date=11 January 2013}} However, he did not return to the Charlton team and instead was again loaned out, this time joining Scunthorpe United in September 2012 on a three-month loan.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19520442| website=BBC Sport| title=Scunthorpe United sign Karl Hawley and Leon Clarke| date=7 September 2012}} He expressed doubts regarding his future at Charlton Athletic.{{cite news|title=Scunthorpe loanee Leon Clarke sees no Charlton future|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19561207|website=BBC Sport|date=11 September 2012|access-date=11 January 2013}}

After scoring six times in his first eight games, it was reported that Charlton were keen to use Clarke, once his loan spell ended and therefore Scunthorpe would be unable to sign him on a permanent basis.{{cite news|title=Charlton are keen to bring Leon Clarke back from his loan at Scunthorpe|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8176148/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=18 October 2012|access-date=11 January 2013}} He ended this loan stay with 11 goals from 15 appearances.{{cite news|title=Clarke sad to leave Scunthorpe|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8322731/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=10 December 2012|access-date=11 January 2013}}

=Coventry City=

On Christmas Eve 2012, it was announced that Clarke had been given permission by Charlton to train with League One club Coventry City with a view to a permanent move.{{cite news | title=Coventry City trial for Charlton Athletic striker| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20836281| website=BBC Sport | date=24 December 2012}} On 1 January 2013, having initially been granted a loan move,{{cite news | title=Leon Clarke: Coventry City sign Charlton Athletic striker on loan| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20884215| website=BBC Sport | date=1 January 2013}} he made his debut in a 0–1 defeat to Shrewsbury Town.{{cite news | title=Coventry 0–1 Shrewsbury | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20841231 | website=BBC Sport | date=1 January 2013 | access-date=7 January 2013}} After a first start in a 0–3 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup,{{cite news | title=Tottenham 3–0 Coventry | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20863351 | website=BBC Sport | date=5 January 2013 | access-date=7 January 2013}} he signed a permanent two-and-a-half-year deal as a free transfer after Charlton had agreed to cancel his contract.{{cite news | title=Clarke completes move to Coventry | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20936100 | website=BBC Sport | date=7 January 2013 | access-date=7 January 2013}}{{cite news|title=Charlton cancel Clarke's contract|url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130107-clarke-contract-583981.aspx|publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C|date=7 January 2013|access-date=11 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110205123/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130107-clarke-contract-583981.aspx|archive-date=10 January 2013|url-status=dead}}

Having scored his first goal for Coventry in a 3–2 victory over Preston North End in the Football League Trophy on 10 January 2013,{{cite news|title=Coventry's comeback against Preston unbelievable – Robins|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20981696|website=BBC Sport|date=10 January 2013|access-date=11 January 2013}} Clarke ended the 2012–13 season by scoring eight goals in eleven games in the league until an ankle complaint meant he underwent surgery in March, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|title=Leon Clarke: Coventry striker faces ankle surgery|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21784734|website=BBC Sport|date=14 March 2013}} At the end of the campaign he was named in the division's PFA Team of the Year.

The 2013–14 season began with Coventry City deducted ten points for failing to agree to a CVA and also having been forced to relocate their home games to Northampton Town's home ground, Sixfields. Nonetheless, Clarke's first fourteen league games saw him score eleven times and form a goalscoring partnership with young striker Callum Wilson, who scored ten in the first twelve games. His form led to him being linked with a number of Football League clubs due to Coventry City's financial plight, including Scunthorpe United, Sheffield United and former club Swindon Town.{{cite web | title=Coventry 'disgusted' with Iron boss' comments about Leon Clarke | url=http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Coventry-disgusted-Iron-boss-comments-Leon-Clarke/story-19663715-detail/story.html | publisher=Scunthorpe Telegraph | date=15 August 2013 | access-date=30 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101151925/http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Coventry-disgusted-Iron-boss-comments-Leon-Clarke/story-19663715-detail/story.html | archive-date=1 November 2013 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | title=Sheffield United 'make inquiry' about Leon Clarke | url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/transfer-news/coventry-city-sheffield-united-make-5829029 | publisher= Coventry Telegraph | date=2 September 2013 | access-date=30 October 2013}}{{cite news | title=Swindon Town show interest in Coventry striker | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23600999 | website=BBC Sport|date=7 August 2013 | access-date=30 October 2013}}

The January 2014 transfer window brought renewed interest in Clarke, who had produced the best goal return of his career with 18 goals in half a season, with his former side Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly bidding for him.{{cite news|title=Pressley confirms Clarke bid|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11710/9120795/pressley-confirms-clarke-bid|publisher=Sky Sports|date=17 January 2014}} Amid this speculation Clarke entered a transfer request{{cite news | title=Leon Clarke: Coventry City striker hands in transfer request| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25711647| website=BBC Sport | date=13 January 2014}} and did not feature in a further match after citing a foot injury which provoked an unhappy reaction from his manager Steven Pressley.{{cite news | title=Leon Clarke: Coventry boss Steven Pressley feels 'let down'| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25946503| website=BBC Sport | date=29 January 2014}} On 29 January Wolves announced that they had had their bid for Clarke formally accepted by Coventry.{{cite news | title=Wolves and Coventry agree Leon Clarke deal| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25919337| website=BBC Sport | date=29 January 2014}}

=Return to Wolverhampton Wanderers=

File:Leon Clarke.jpg in 2014]]

On 30 January 2014 Clarke rejoined his first club Wolverhampton Wanderers, now playing in League One, after signing an eighteen-month deal (with Wolves holding the option of an additional year) for an undisclosed fee reported to be £750,000.{{cite news | title=Leon Clarke re-signs for Wolves from Coventry| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25961556| website=BBC Sport | date=30 January 2014}}{{cite web| title=Confirmed: Clarke returns| url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/confirmed-clarke-returns-300114-1327088.aspx| publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C| date=30 January 2014| access-date=30 January 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131174403/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/confirmed-clarke-returns-300114-1327088.aspx| archive-date=31 January 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} Upon signing, Clarke admitted that he had shown "a lot of immaturity" during his first spell at the club and that he believed he was now "a completely different person".{{cite web| title=Leon's vow| url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/leons-vow-300114-1327229.aspx| publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C| date=30 January 2014| access-date=30 January 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131174414/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/leons-vow-300114-1327229.aspx| archive-date=31 January 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} He made his second Wolves debut on 1 February in a 2–0 win over Bradford City,{{cite news | title=Wolves 2–0 Bradford| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25891950| website=BBC Sport | date=1 February 2014}} with his first goal since rejoining coming on 11 March in a 4–1 victory at Swindon Town.{{cite news | title=Swindon 1–4 Wolves| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26428600| website=BBC Sport | date=11 March 2014}} This was his only goal for Wolves though during the remaining games of the season as they won the League One title.{{cite web|title=L. Clarke|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/leon-clarke/15531/|work=Soccerway|publisher=Global Sports Media|date=26 September 2015}}

Back at Championship level, Clarke scored twice during 16 league appearances before being loaned out in February 2015 to Wigan Athletic for the remainder of the season.{{cite news | title=Transfer Deadline Day: Wigan sign Ojo, Bong & Clarke| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31096581| website=BBC Sport | date=2 February 2015}} He scored one goal for the Latics but could not prevent them from being relegated to League One. At the conclusion of the season, Wolves announced that they would not be taking up the option of an additional year's contract.{{cite news| title=McAlinden option taken up| publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C| url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/mcalinden-option-taken-up-2444347.aspx| date=7 May 2015| access-date=7 May 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507203448/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/mcalinden-option-taken-up-2444347.aspx| archive-date=7 May 2015| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}

=Bury=

On 2 June 2015, Clarke signed for League One club Bury on a three-year deal after his release from Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32985924|title=Leon Clarke: Bury sign ex-Wolves striker on three-year deal|website=BBC Sport|date=2 June 2015|access-date=3 June 2015}} Clarke made his league debut on 8 August in the 1–1 draw with Doncaster Rovers, in a game which saw Bury and Clarke allowed to equalise by walking the ball into the goal after Doncaster winger Harry Forrester had accidentally volleyed the ball into Bury's goal to restart play.{{cite web|title=Doncaster Rovers: Harry Forrester wants quiet life after controversial goal|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/doncaster-rovers-harry-forrester-wants-quiet-life-after-controversial-goal-1-7402714|work=The Star|access-date=11 August 2015}}

On 11 August, he continued his good form by scoring a brace in a 2–1 win over former team Wigan Athletic in the first round of the League Cup, including the go ahead penalty in the 89th minute.{{cite news|title=Leon Clarke's 89th-minute strike earned Bury a comeback victory over his former side Wigan Athletic in the first round of the Capital One Cup|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33768773|website=BBC Sport|access-date=13 August 2015|date=11 August 2015}}

=Sheffield United=

On 27 July 2016, Clarke signed a three-year deal with Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36904090|title=Leon Clarke: Bury striker signs for Sheffield United|date=27 July 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=27 July 2016}} He scored his first goal for Sheffield United in a 2–1 EFL Cup loss against Crewe Alexandra on 9 August 2016.{{cite news

|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36949805

|title=Sheffield United 1–2 Crewe

|website=BBC Sport

|date=9 August 2016

|access-date=9 August 2016}}

Clarke played against his former club Sheffield Wednesday on 24 September 2017 and scored two goals in a 4–2 win for Sheffield United.{{cite news

|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41297178

|title=Sheffield Wednesday 2 – 4 Sheffield United

|website=BBC Sport

|date=24 September 2017

|access-date=25 September 2017}}

On 4 November 2017, Clarke scored all four goals in a 4–1 win over Hull City, becoming the first Sheffield United player to score four goals in one game since Keith Edwards in 1983.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SUFC_tweets/status/926860908038672384|title=Leon Clarke with the last Blade to score 4 at Bramall Lane – Keith Edwards (1983) #twitterbladespic.twitter.com/7gIGSlFk2G|last=United|first=Sheffield|date=4 November 2017|website=@SUFC_tweets|access-date=4 November 2017}} He followed this up with a hat-trick in a defeat against Fulham and a goal against Birmingham City, rounding out the month of November having scored nine goals in four games.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42034684|title=Sheffield United 1–1 Birmingham City|date=25 November 2017|website=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41978135|title=Sheffield United 4–5 Fulham|date=21 November 2017|website=BBC Sport}} He was named Player of the Month for November.{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/december/player-of-the-month-leon-clarke---sheffield-united/|title=Player of the Month: Leon Clarke – Sheffield United|website=www.efl.com}}

In April, Clarke was named in the PFA Team of the Year, following a career high goalscoring season for Sheffield United.

On 30 January 2019, Clarke was loaned to Wigan Athletic for the second time in his career, until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47063771|title=Leon Clarke: Wigan Athletic sign Sheffield United striker on loan|date=30 January 2019|website=BBC Sport|access-date=31 January 2019}}

He was transfer-listed by Sheffield United at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48207498|title=Paul Coutts: Sheffield United midfielder among five released|date=8 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019|website=BBC Sport}}

Clarke made his first ever appearance in the Premier League on 28 September 2019, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 loss against Liverpool,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49778507|title=Sheffield United 0–1 Liverpool|last=Holland|first=Kris|date=28 September 2019|website=BBC Sport|access-date=28 September 2019}} at the age of 34, and 16 years into his professional career.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/488ce3f8-45ac-411f-882a-b40621ae2042|title=Are Leicester and Brendan Rodgers for real?|first=Kevin|last=Beirne|date=30 September 2019|website=BBC Three|access-date=30 September 2019}}

=Shrewsbury Town=

On 25 September 2020, Clarke signed for League One club Shrewsbury Town on a one-year deal.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/09/25/shrewsbury-town-sign-former-wolves-and-sheffield-united-striker-leon-clarke/ |title=Shrewsbury Town sign former Wolves and Sheffield United striker Leon Clarke |last=Cox |first=Lewis |website=Shropshire Star |date=25 September 2020}} He made his debut for the club the next day, replacing Daniel Udoh in the 70th minute of a 1–1 draw away at Plymouth Argyle.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54215152 |title=Plymouth Argyle 1–1 Shrewsbury Town |website=BBC Sport |date=26 September 2020}} His first start for the club came a week later on 3 October, another 1–1 draw, this time at home to Gillingham.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/shrewsbury-vs-gillingham/report/430855 |title=Shrewsbury 1–1 Gillingham: Late Jordan Graham goal rescues point for Gills |website=Sky Sports |date=3 October 2020}} On 17 October, Clarke scored his first goal for the club, heading in a 91st-minute winner from a Josh Vela corner away to AFC Wimbledon at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/10/17/afc-wimbledon-0-shrewsbury-1-report-and-pictures/ |title=AFC Wimbledon 0 Shrewsbury 1 – Report and pictures |last=Cox |first=Lewis |website=www.shropshirestar.com |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020}}

On 12 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Shrewsbury at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2021/may/released-and-retained-list/|title=Released and retained list|website=www.shrewsburytown.com}}

=Bristol Rovers=

On 31 August 2021, after training with the club throughout the summer, Clarke joined recently relegated League Two club Bristol Rovers on a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/august/brown-clarke-evans-sign/|title=Rovers Sign Brown, Clarke and Evans!|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=31 August 2021|access-date=31 August 2021|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831201914/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/august/brown-clarke-evans-sign/|url-status=dead}} Clarke made his debut for the club that weekend, coming on as a half-time substitute and within 90 seconds he had scored with his first touch of the ball, the only goal in a victory over Crawley Town.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58365756|title=Bristol Rovers 1–0 Crawley Town|website=BBC Sport|date=4 September 2021}} Having been substituted due to injury in what was only his second match and first start for the club, manager Joey Barton revealed on 17 September that Clarke would miss a number of months from a hamstring injury.{{cite news|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-suffer-significant-leon-5931030|title=Bristol Rovers suffer significant Leon Clarke setback with Sam Nicholson also sidelined|work=Bristol Post|date=17 September 2021|last=Frost |first=Sam }} He finally made his return to first-team action in January 2022, coming off of the bench against former club Swindon Town.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60005809|title=Swindon Town 1–1 Bristol Rovers|website=BBC Sport|date=22 January 2022}} He scored his first goal since his return the following match with the third and what proved to be the decisive goal, in a 3–2 win at Scunthorpe United,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59618367|title=Scunthorpe United 2–3 Bristol Rovers|website=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2022|accessdate=26 January 2022}} celebrating his goal by running to the dugout and embracing the medical staff.{{cite news|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/barton-pays-tribute-clarke-shares-6550175|title=Barton pays tribute to Clarke but shares frustration as Bristol Rovers cling on at Scunthorpe|work=Bristol Post|last=Frost|first=Sam|date=25 January 2022|accessdate=26 January 2022}} The season ended with a sixth career promotion for Clarke, a final day 7–0 victory taking Rovers into the final automatic promotion place on goals scored. Clarke was released at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2022/may/club-announces-released-list/|title=Club Announces Released List|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=19 May 2022|accessdate=20 May 2022}}

In January 2023, Clarke joined Arbroath on a trial-basis.{{cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/4064839/arbroath-boss-dick-campbell-confirms-leon-clarke-trial/|title=Leon Clarke joins Arbroath on trial as Dick Campbell runs rule over highly-experienced English striker|work=The Courier|last=Smith|first=Ewan|date=17 January 2023|accessdate=23 January 2023}}

=Hartlepool United=

On 14 February 2023, Clarke signed for League Two club Hartlepool United on a deal until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2023/february/pools-sign-leon-clarke/ |title=Pools sign Leon Clarke |website=Hartlepool United FC |date=14 February 2023 |access-date=14 February 2023}} On 17 March 2023, Clarke signed for Rushall Olympic on loan till the end of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2023/march/club-news-mikael-njoli-departs-on-loan/ |title=Club News: Mikael Ndjoli and Leon Clarke Depart on Loan |website=Hartlepool United FC |date=17 March 2023 |access-date=17 March 2023}} At the end of the 2022–23 season, Clarke was released by Hartlepool.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2023/may2/retained-list-202223/ |title=Retained List 2022/23 |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=13 May 2023 |accessdate=13 May 2023}}

=Non-League=

On 29 September 2023, it was announced that Clarke had signed for Southern League Premier Division Central club Kettering Town.{{cite web |url=https://ketteringtownfc.com/leon-clarke-is-a-poppy/ |title=Leon Clarke is a Poppy! |publisher=Kettering Town |date=29 September 2023 |accessdate=29 September 2023}} He departed the club in November 2023 having been approached by another club.{{cite web|url=https://ketteringtownfc.com/leon-clarke-leaves-the-poppies/|title=Leon Clarke leaves The Poppies|website=ketteringtownfc.com|date=27 November 2023|accessdate=29 November 2023}}

On 1 December 2023, Clarke joined Mickleover, following his departure from division rivals Kettering Town.{{cite web|url=https://mickleoverfc.com/experienced-striker-heads-for-mickleover/|title=Experienced Striker Heads For Mickleover|website=mickleoverfc.com|date=1 December 2023|accessdate=4 December 2023}}

On 16 May 2024, Clarke announced his retirement from professional football in a post on social media.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7CO-8eIh9O/?igsh=MWlrbW9mYzNxYm84Zg== |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.instagram.com}}

Coaching career

In November 2024, it was announced that he was working as a coach at the Kidderminster Harriers and Birmingham City academies.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-25 |title=Former Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday forward lands coaching role |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/former-sheffield-united-wolves-and-sheffield-wednesday-forward-lands-coaching-role-at-league-one-club-4882612 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Yorkshire Post |language=en}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Club statistics
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5" valign="center"\|Wolverhampton Wanderers \|2003–04{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2003\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|FA Premier League \|0	0	1	0	2	0	colspan=2\|—	3	0
2004–05{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2004\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|Championship \|28	7	1	0	2	1	colspan=2\|—	31	8
2005–06{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2005\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|Championship \|24	1	1	1	1	0	colspan=2\|—	26	2
2006–07{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2006\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|Championship \|22	5	0	0	1	0	0	0	23	5
colspan="2" \| Total !74	13	3	1	6	1	0	0	83	15
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Kidderminster Harriers (loan) \|2003–04 \|Third Division \|4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Queens Park Rangers (loan) \|2005–06 \|Championship \|1	0	0	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	1	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Plymouth Argyle (loan) \|2005–06 \|Championship \|5	0	0	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	5	0
rowspan="5" valign="center"\|Sheffield Wednesday \|2006–07 \|Championship \|10	1	0	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	10	1
2007–08{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2007\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|Championship \|8	3	1	0	1	0	colspan=2\|—	10	3
2008–09{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2008\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|Championship \|29	8	0	0	1	0	colspan=2\|—	30	8
2009–10{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2009\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|Championship \|36	6	1	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	37	6
colspan="2" \| Total !83	18	2	0	2	0	colspan=2\|—	87	18
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Oldham Athletic (loan) \|2006–07 \|League One \|5	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	3
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Southend United (loan) \|2007–08 \|League One \|16	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	8
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Queens Park Rangers \|2010–11{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2010\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|Championship \|13	0	1	0	1	0	colspan=2\|—	15	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Preston North End (loan) \|2010–11 \|Championship \|6	1	0	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	6	1
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Swindon Town \|2011–12{{Soccerbase season\|36472\|2011\|name=Leon Clarke\|access-date=25 September 2014}} \|League Two \|2	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	4	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Chesterfield (loan) \|2011–12 \|League One \|14	9	1	0	0	0	1Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy	0	16	9
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Charlton Athletic \|2011–12 \|League One \|7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\|Crawley Town (loan) \|2011–12{{ref label\|Sbase\|A

}

|League Two

|4||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||1

|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Scunthorpe United (loan)

|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|36472|2012|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=25 September 2014}}

|League One

|15||11||0||0||0||0||0||0||15||11

|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Coventry City (loan)

|2012–13

|League One

|1||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||2||0

|rowspan="3" valign="center"|Coventry City

|2012–13

|League One

|11||8||0||0||0||0||3||2||14||10

|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|36472|2013|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=25 September 2014}}

|League One

|23||15||4||3||1||0||1||0||29||18

!colspan="2" |Total

!35!!23!!5!!3!!1!!0!!4!!2!!45!!28

|rowspan="3" valign="center"|Wolverhampton Wanderers

|2013–14

|League One

|13||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||13||1

|2014–15{{Soccerbase season|36472|2014|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=25 September 2014}}

|Championship

|16||2||2||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||19||2

!colspan="2" |Total

!29!!3!!2!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!32!!3

|rowspan="1"|Wigan Athletic (loan)

|2014–15

|Championship

|10||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||10||1

|rowspan="1"|Bury

|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|36472|2015|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=23 October 2015}}

|League One

|32||15||4||1||1||2||0||0||37||18

| rowspan="5" |Sheffield United

|2016–17{{Soccerbase season|36472|2016|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=1 March 2017}}

|League One

|23||7||1||0||1||1||1||1||26||9

|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|36472|2017|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=1 November 2017}}

|Championship

|39||19||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||39||19

|2018–19{{Soccerbase season|36472|2018|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=23 January 2019}}

|Championship

|24

| colspan="2" |—

|26

|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|36472|2019|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=1 October 2019}}

|Premier League

|2||0||2||1||1||0|| colspan="2" |—||5||1

! colspan="2" |Total

!88

!29

!95

!32

| rowspan="1" |Wigan Athletic (loan)

|2018–19

|Championship

|15

| colspan="2" |—

|15

|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Shrewsbury Town

|2020–21{{Soccerbase season|36472|2020|name=Leon Clarke|access-date=10 October 2020}}

|League One

|10||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||10||1

|Bristol Rovers

|2021–22{{soccerbase season|36472|2021|accessdate=4 September 2021}}

|League Two

|11||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||11||2

|Hartlepool United

|2022–23{{soccerbase season|36472|2022|accessdate=18 February 2023}}

|League Two

|3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0

|Rushall Olympic (loan)

|2022–23{{cite web |title=Leon Clarke {{!}} Player Profile |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/leon-clarke/39566 |access-date=16 July 2023 |website=www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com}}For game against Port Vale with missing data:
{{cite web |date=28 March 2023 |title=Rushall Olympic FC on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/ROFCOfficial/status/1640804247930384384 |access-date=16 July 2023 |website=Twitter }}
{{cite web |date=28 March 2023 |title=Rushall Olympic FC on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/ROFCOfficial/status/1640816251604803585 |access-date=16 July 2023 |website=Twitter }}

|Southern Premier Central

|7||1||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||2Appearance(s) in Staffordshire Senior Cup||0||9||1

|Kettering Town

|2023–24

|Southern Premier Central

|6||0||2||0|| colspan="2" |—||2||0||10||0

|Mickleover

|2023–24

|Southern Premier Central

|8||1||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||2||0||10||1

! colspan="3" | Career total

!503!!143!!23!!6!!17!!4!!12!!3!!555!!156

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Football League One: 2013–14{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015 |year=2014 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-1251-1 |pages=386–387}}

Sheffield United

EFL Championship second-place promotion: 2018–19{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2019–2020 |year=2019 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6111-3 |pages=320–231}}
EFL League One: 2016–17{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018 |year=2017 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3397-4 |pages=326–327}}

Bristol Rovers

EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2021–22 {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61281127|title=Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win|website=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2022|accessdate=9 May 2022}}

Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13 League One,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22331030 |title=Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards |website=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2013 |access-date=5 May 2018}} 2017–18 Championship{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43808543 |title=PFA Championship Team of the Year: Wolves & Fulham trios named in line-up |website=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018}}
Championship Player of the Month: November 2017{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/december/player-of-the-month-leon-clarke---sheffield-united/ |title=Player of the Month: Leon Clarke – Sheffield United |website=EFL |date=8 December 2017 |access-date=14 February 2023}}
League One Player of the Month: April 2017{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/leon-clarke-named-sky-bet-league-one-player-of-the-month/#:~:text=Sheffield%20United%20striker%20Leon%20Clarke,match%20the%20much%2Dtravelled%20frontman. |title=League One Player of the Month |website=EFL |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=14 February 2023}}

Notes

:A. {{note|Sbase}} Soccerbase's stats for the match between Crawley Town and Port Vale on 17 March 2012 only include 10 players for Crawley Town, with Leon Clarke missing.{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2012-03-17 |title=Football Results 17-03-2012 |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=8 January 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/03/17/england/league-two/crawley-town-football-club/port-vale-fc/1119514/ |title=Crawley Town 3–2 Port Vale |publisher=Soccerway |date=17 March 2012 |access-date=8 January 2020}} Therefore, until and unless they correct it, he should have one more appearance for Crawley Town than given on his Soccerbase page.