Mitch Clark (footballer, born 1999)
{{short description|Welsh footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mitch Clark
| image = Mitch Clark (2).jpg
| caption = Clark with Port Vale in 2023
| fullname = Mitchell Reece Clark{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697050 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|3|13|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Mitchell Clark |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/mitch-clark-256048/|publisher=11v11 |access-date=19 September 2017}}
| birth_place = Nuneaton, England
| height = {{convert|1.73|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2018/2019 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2018-2019/fltwo/portv.htm |website=footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=24 June 2019}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Port Vale
| clubnumber = 2
| youthyears1 = 2006–2017
| youthclubs1 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 2017–2019
| clubs1 = Aston Villa
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2018–2019
| clubs2 = → Port Vale (loan)
| caps2 = 40
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2019–2021
| clubs3 = Leicester City
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2020
| clubs4 = → Port Vale (loan)
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2020
| clubs5 = → Port Vale (loan)
| caps5 = 11
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2021–2023
| clubs6 = Accrington Stanley
| caps6 = 65
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2023–
| clubs7 = Port Vale
| caps7 = 32
| goals7 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam1 = Wales U17
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam2 = Wales U19
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 16:05, 26 April 2025 (UTC)
}}
Mitchell Reece Clark (born 13 March 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|PortVale}} club Port Vale. He has represented Wales at youth level.
A graduate of the Academy at Aston Villa, he spent the 2018–19 season on loan at Port Vale. He joined Leicester City in July 2019 following his release from Aston Villa. He returned on loan to Port Vale for the second half of the 2019–20 season and first half of the 2020–21 season. He signed with Accrington Stanley in August 2021, where he would remain for two seasons before joining Port Vale permanently in July 2023.
Club career
= Aston Villa =
Clark graduated through the Academy at Aston Villa, having been scouted by the club playing for Bedworth Eagles juniors at the age of eight. He made his first-team debut for the "Villans" in the EFL Cup on 22 August 2017, starting the match at left-back in a 4–1 victory over Wigan Athletic at Villa Park.{{cite news|title=Aston Villa 4-1 Wigan Athletic|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40932012#tab-0|accessdate=23 August 2017}} Manager Steve Bruce said that "he had a very good debut considering that he's played out of position".{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Gregg |title=Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce on what he likes about Mitch Clark |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villas-mitch-clark-devilment-13526128 |accessdate=16 August 2018 |work=Birmingham Mail |date=25 August 2017}} He was a part of the under-23 squad that finished as runners-up of the Premier League 2 Division Two and won the Premier League Cup during the 2017–18 season.{{Soccerway|mitchell-clark/426952}} He signed a new contract in March 2018 to keep him at the club until 2019.{{cite news |title=Mitchell Clark signs Aston Villa deal, sends a message on Twitter {{!}} Sportslens |url=https://sportslens.com/mitchell-clark-signs-aston-villa-deal-sends-a-message-on-twitter/227620/ |accessdate=16 August 2018 |work=Sportslens.com |date=17 March 2018}}{{cite news |title=Mitch Clark agrees new deal |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2018/03/16/mitch-clark-agrees-new-contract |accessdate=16 August 2018 |work=www.avfc.co.uk |language=en}}
On 16 August 2018, Clark joined League Two club Port Vale on loan for the rest of the 2018–19 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45213063|title=Mitchell Clark: Aston Villa loan Wales Under-19 defender to Port Vale|date=16 August 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=16 August 2018}} Manager Neil Aspin signed him to provide cover at full-back for James Gibbons and Cristian Montaño, after football adviser John Rudge had scouted him playing for the Aston Villa under-23 side.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale sign Aston Villa defender Mitchell Clark on loan |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/port-vale-villa-mitchell-clark-1906330 |accessdate=16 August 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=16 August 2018}} He made his English Football League debut two days later, starting at left-back for the "Valiants" in a 1–0 win over Crawley Town at Vale Park.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale's Aston Villa loan defender Mitchell Clark relishing his chance |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vales-aston-villa-loan-1914300 |accessdate=20 August 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=19 August 2018}} He retained his first-team place as the "Valiants" went on a run of poor run of results. However, Clark was noted as being one of their better performers.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Aston Villa defender Mitch Clark thriving at Port Vale |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-mitch-clark-vale-1966317 |accessdate=3 September 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=3 September 2018}} He made a costly mistake to give away a goal during the opening minute of a 2–0 defeat at Grimsby Town on 6 October, but recovered from his mistake and kept his place in the team.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Clark on Port Vale and hoping to be in new Aston Villa boss's long-term plans |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-port-vale-clark-2099228 |accessdate=11 October 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=11 October 2018}} He remained a key first-team player under new manager John Askey and played a total of 45 games throughout the 2018–19 season, mainly at right-back, where he linked up well with right-sided midfielder David Worrall.{{cite news |last1=Sherwin |first1=Phil |title=From local heroes who impressed to lost boys: Port Vale class of 2018/19 rated |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-player-ratings-201819-2885390 |accessdate=19 May 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=19 May 2019}} On 3 May, upon returning from his loan spell, Clark was released by Aston Villa manager Dean Smith; his agent claimed there was interest from numerous clubs and said that "I believe that I can take him on to bigger and better things than what he's doing at Port Vale."{{Cite news|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-mitch-clark-contract-16207330|title=Revealed: Aston Villa have released this popular defender|last=Dicken|first=Alex|date=3 May 2019|work=Birmingham Mail|access-date=3 May 2019}} He went on to change agents the following year, signing with Sports Management International.{{cite web |title=SMI World · Players |url=https://smiworld.co.uk/players/mitchell-clark |website=smiworld.co.uk |accessdate=20 June 2020}}
=Leicester City=
On 26 July 2019, Clark signed a three-year deal with Premier League club Leicester City and was placed in Steve Beaglehole's under-23 squad.{{cite news |last1=Kemble |first1=Jamie |title=Leicester City sign Mitch Clark after Aston Villa release |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-sign-mitch-clark-3142029 |accessdate=27 July 2019 |work=Leicester Mercury |date=26 July 2019}} On 30 January 2020, Clark rejoined Port Vale on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |title=Mitchell Clark: Leicester City loan defender to Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51311878 |accessdate=31 January 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2020 |language=en-gb}} He made an impressive second debut two days later, forcing an own goal with a dangerous cross in a 1–1 home draw with Salford City.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title='I believe in our players' - Askey on Clark and Port Vale's transfer business |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/i-believe-players-john-askey-3802879 |accessdate=3 February 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=2 February 2020}} However, he received a straight red card for a reckless late challenge during a 3–2 win at Forest Green Rovers on 11 February.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=FA reveal bans for Port Vale's Mitch Clark and Tom Pope |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-pope-clark-bans-3838610 |accessdate=12 February 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=12 February 2020}} His second loan spell was ended on just four appearances as the league was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale give up promotion hopes to try to avert League Two financial crisis |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-give-up-promotion-4138375 |accessdate=15 May 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=15 May 2020}}
Clark was nominated for the Professional Development League Player of the Month award for September 2020.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=He's back! Port Vale sign Mitch Clark from Leicester City |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-mitch-clark-leicester-4591330 |accessdate=9 October 2020 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=9 October 2020}} On 9 October, he joined Port Vale for a third loan spell after James Gibbons picked up a long-term injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54481244|title=Mitch Clark: Port Vale re-sign Leicester City defender on loan|publisher=BBC|date=9 October 2020|accessdate=9 October 2020}} He scored his first goal in professional football on 24 October, in a 2–1 win at Oldham Athletic.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=What we learned from Port Vale's 2-1 win at Oldham |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-learned-port-vales-2-4638993 |accessdate=25 October 2020 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=25 October 2020 |language=en}} He made 12 appearances in the first half of the 2020–21 season, though did not feature in December due to "personal reasons" and Askey confirmed that Port Vale would not try to extend the loan deal.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale press conference: Mitch Clark likely to return to Leicester City |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-press-conference-mitch-4810755 |access-date=29 December 2020 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=18 December 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale boss on Mitch Clark's return to Leicester City |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-boss-mitch-clarks-4841420 |access-date=30 December 2020 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=30 December 2020 |language=en}} Clark had a trial with Blackpool in July 2021.{{cite news |title=Neil Critchley delivers his verdict on Blackpool's friendly win against Carlisle and provides details on trialist right-back |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/neil-critchley-delivers-his-verdict-on-blackpools-friendly-win-against-carlisle-and-provides-details-on-trialist-right-back-3322235 |access-date=26 July 2021 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=24 July 2021 |language=en}}
=Accrington Stanley=
On 26 August 2021, Clark signed a two-year deal with League One side Accrington Stanley.{{cite news |title=SIGNING: Defender Clark agrees a two-year deal |url=https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2021/august/signing-defender-clark-agrees-a-two-year-deal/ |access-date=26 August 2021 |work=Accrington Stanley |date=26 August 2021 |language=en}} He scored Stanley's equalising goal in the 1–1 draw with Sunderland at the Crown Ground on 15 January.{{cite news |title=Accrington Stanley 1-1 Sunderland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59918731 |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2022}} On 26 February, he was sent off in stoppage-time of a 3–2 home win over Wycombe Wanderers for a late challenge on Dominic Gape.{{cite news |title=Accrington Stanley 3-2 Wycombe Wanderers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60441770 |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2022}} Manager John Coleman said that it was "a debatable red card" and that "I feel for Mitch as he will miss three games and he has been our best player over the last couple of months".{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Dan |title=Stanley boss John Coleman gives verdict on Wycombe victory |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19955145.accrington-stanley-boss-john-colemans-verdict-wycombe-wanderers-victory/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=26 February 2022 |language=en}} Clark made 27 appearances in the 2021–22 campaign as Accrington posted a 12th-place finish. He played 49 games in the 2022–23 season as Accrington were relegated in 21st-place. In May 2023, he was charged by The Football Association after allegedly breaching betting rules by pacing 312 bets on football matches between 8 February 2022 and 10 March 2023;{{cite news |title=Reds defender Mitch Clark charged with alleged betting breaches |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/23512058.accrington-stanleys-mitch-clark-charged-alleged-betting-breaches/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=10 May 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Accrington's Clark charged with betting rule breach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65533961 |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2023}} he was later given a suspended three-month ban and a fine of £600.{{cite news |title=Suspended ban for Vale's Clark after bets breach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66113684 |access-date=6 July 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 July 2023}} On 20 May 2023, it was announced Clark would leave the club when his contract ended on 30 June.{{cite news |title=UPDATE: Retained list |url=https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2023/may/update-retained-list/ |access-date=20 May 2023 |work=Accrington Stanley|date=20 May 2023 |language=en}}
=Port Vale=
On 2 July 2023, Clark returned for a fourth spell at Port Vale, this time signing a two-year contract after what director of football David Flitcroft described as "lengthy negotiations".{{cite news |last1=Townley |first1=Dan |title=Mitch Clark Joins The Valiants |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/july/mitch-clark-joins-the-valiants/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=2 July 2023 |language=en-gb}}{{cite news |title=Port Vale sign ex-Accrington defender Clark |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66082840 |access-date=6 July 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2023}} However, on 24 October he suffered a meniscus tear during a 1–0 defeat at Peterborough United and manager Andy Crosby revealed that he was ruled out of action until the following March after surgery showed that the meniscus was in a really poor condition.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Old failings return as Port Vale are held at Lincoln City |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/old-failings-return-as-port-vale#poll-118963 |access-date=12 November 2023 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=12 November 2023}} He made his return in a 3–0 defeat at Derby County on 2 March when he came on as a substitute for James Plant, who had himself not featured since October due to injury.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Vale's problems grow with comprehensive Derby defeat |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vales-problems-grow-with-comprehensive |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=3 March 2024}} However, later that month he sustained a muscle injury in training which ruled him out of action for the rest of the 2023–24 season.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Press conference analysis as Port Vale target Bristol Rovers and survival |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/press-conference-analysis-as-port |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=28 March 2024}}
Clark sustained a serious neck injury following what manager Darren Moore described as "just a little incident" in pre-season that saw him ruled out for a significant part of the 2024–25 campaign.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Ready to go for new Vale era |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/ready-to-go-for-new-vale-era |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=9 August 2024}} He returned to action in December.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Encouraging signs as Vale go through |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/encouraging-signs-as-vale-go-through |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=11 December 2024}} He was named as player of the match on his third league start of the season, a 3–2 victory over Newport County on 18 January.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Resilient Vale back in the frame |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/resilient-vale-back-in-the-frame |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=19 January 2025}} However, seven days later he was sent off for going over the ball and on to Aribim Pepple's ankle in a standing challenge during a 1–1 draw at Chesterfield.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Ten-man Vale have to settle for a point |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/ten-man-vale-have-to-settle-for-a |access-date=26 January 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=26 January 2025}} He soon returned to the starting eleven and made consistently strong performances throughout March and April.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Excitement building for a huge week |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/excitement-building-for-a-huge-week |access-date=1 April 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=31 March 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Preparing for League One |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/preparing-for-league-one |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=28 April 2025}}
International career
Clark represented the Wales under-17 team and went on to be named as captain of the under-19 side by manager Paul Bodin.
Style of play
Clark is primarily a right-back but is also able to play as a right-sided centre-back or at left-back.{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Andy |title=Mitch Clark's rise to Villa's senior squad: The story so far |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mitch-clarks-rise-aston-villas-13895195 |accessdate=16 August 2018 |work=Birmingham Mail |date=13 November 2017}} He is a pacey player with high energy levels who likes to get forward and attack.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 26 April 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3" valign="center"|Aston Villa
|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2017|accessdate=1 July 2018}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2018|accessdate=1 July 2018}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Aston Villa total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Port Vale (loan)
|40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=eft|Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3" valign="center"|Leicester City U21
|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2019|accessdate=1 July 2020}} |– |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2020–21{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2020|accessdate=1 July 2020}}
|– |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Leicester City U21 total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2" valign="center"|Port Vale (loan)
|League Two |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2020–21
|League Two |11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
| rowspan="3" valign="center"|Accrington Stanley
|2021–22{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2021|accessdate=1 July 2020}} |25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| 2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2022|accessdate=1 July 2020}}
|League One |40 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Accrington Stanley total
!65 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 76 | 1 | |
| rowspan="3" valign="center"|Port Vale
|2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2023|accessdate=1 July 2020}} |League One |13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2024–25{{Soccerbase season|id=106783|season=2024|accessdate=1 July 2020}}
|League Two |19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Port Vale total
!87 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 97 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!152 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 179 | 3 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Aston Villa Academy
References
{{reflist}}
{{Port Vale F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Mitchell}}
Category:Footballers from Nuneaton
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen
Category:Wales men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Leicester City F.C. players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players