Nicky Clark
{{short description|Scottish footballer (born 1991)}}
{{for-multi|the hair stylist|Nicky Clarke|the English footballer|Nicky Clarke (footballer)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nicky Clark
| image = Nicky Clark 2013.jpg
| caption = Clark in 2014
| fullname = Nicholas Alexander McCormack Clark{{cite book |title=A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18 |version=7 |publisher=John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine |date=2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|6|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bellshill, Scotland
| height = {{convert|1.78|m|order=flip}}{{Cite web |title=Nicky Clark |url=https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/team/first-team/nicky-clark |access-date=5 December 2020 |website=dundeeunitedfc.co.uk |publisher=Dundee United F.C. |language=en}}
| position = Striker
| currentclub = St Johnstone
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = 2003–2006
| youthclubs1 = Rangers
| youthyears2 = 2006–2009
| youthclubs2 = Aberdeen
| years1 = 2009–2010
| clubs1 = Aberdeen
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2009–2010
| clubs2 = → Peterhead (loan)
| caps2 = 23
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2010–2011
| clubs3 = Peterhead
| caps3 = 24
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2011–2013
| clubs4 = Queen of the South
| caps4 = 66
| goals4 = 32
| years5 = 2013–2016
| clubs5 = Rangers
| caps5 = 78
| goals5 = 19
| years6 = 2016
| clubs6 = Bury
| caps6 = 3
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2016–2018
| clubs7 = Dunfermline Athletic
| caps7 = 62
| goals7 = 29
| years8 = 2018–2022
| clubs8 = Dundee United
| caps8 = 114
| goals8 = 31
| years9 = 2022–
| clubs9 = St Johnstone
| caps9 = 70
| goals9 = 17
| club-update = 11 June 2025
}}
Nicholas Alexander McCormack Clark (born 3 June 1991) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{Scottish football updater|StJohnst}} club St Johnstone. Clark is the son of the former Airdrieonians, Hearts, Rangers and West Ham striker Sandy Clark.{{cite web | url=http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/like-father-like-son/|title= Like Father, Like Son (Nicky and Sandy Clark) | access-date=23 May 2016}}
Career
=Early career=
Clark began his career with the youth team of Rangers but was released at 15 and joined Aberdeen.{{cite news|title=Eleven the dream, Nicky Clark fulfils a lifelong ambition by joining Rangers|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eleven-dream-nicky-clark-fulfils-1919343|publisher=Daily Record|date=29 May 2013|access-date=15 April 2014}} He appeared as an unused substitute during the 2008–09 season and in early 2009, Clark signed a contract extension with the club.{{cite news|title=Dons midfielder Derek Young agrees new Pittodrie deal|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/dons-midfielder-derek-young-agrees-1010189|publisher=Daily Record|date=17 February 2009|access-date=15 April 2014}}
=Peterhead=
To gain first team experience, Clark joined Peterhead on loan until January.{{cite news|title=Dons' Clark on loan to Peterhead|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/peterhead/8257590.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 September 2009|access-date=15 April 2014}} Clark made his debut for the club on 19 September 2009, where he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute as Peterhead drew 1–1 with Arbroath.{{cite news|title=Match Report – Division Two: Peterhead 3 Stirling Albion 2|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/division-two-peterhead-3-stirling-1040858|publisher=Daily Record|date=2 November 2009|access-date=15 April 2014}} Clark's loan spell with Peterhead was extended until the end of the 2009–10 season.{{cite news|title=Players commit to the Balmoor cause|url=http://www.buchanobserver.co.uk/sport/local-sport/players-commit-to-the-balmoor-cause-1-129070|publisher=Bunchan Observer|date=19 January 2010|access-date=15 April 2014}} In the 2009–10 season, Clark would make twenty-five appearances and score four times. Clark, along with Jonathan Crawford, was released by the club after being told they wouldn't be offered a new contract.{{cite news|title=Dons duo moving on|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11788/6121774/dons-duo-moving-on|publisher=Sky Sports|date=28 April 2010|access-date=15 April 2014}}
After being released by Aberdeen, Clark joined Peterhead permanently in August 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/peterhead-nick-clark/|title=Peterhead sign Nicky Clark|date=19 August 2010|access-date=1 June 2013|publisher=Scottish Football League|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314015948/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/peterhead-nick-clark/|archive-date=14 March 2012}} Like his loan spell, Clark continued to be a first team regular for the club, where he made twenty-nine appearances and scored four times.
=Queen of the South=
He moved to Queen of the South in July 2011, signing a one-year contract extension in May 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/dumfries-sport/dumfries-football/queen-of-south-fc/2012/05/30/queens-squad-boosted-by-familiar-faces-51311-31068687/|title=Queens squad boosted by familiar faces|date=30 May 2012|access-date=1 June 2013|author=Craig Robertson|publisher=Dumfries and Galloway Standard}} The first season with Queen of the South was a struggle for Clark, as he failed to score his first goal, though it eventually happened in the second round of Scottish League Cup against Forfar Athletic.{{cite news|title=Scottish Communities League Cup: Queen of the South 3 Forfar 0|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-communities-league-cup-queen-1110248|publisher=Daily Record|date=24 August 2011|access-date=15 April 2014}}
The 2012–13 season was an improvement and breakthrough season for Clark after his dad, Sandy, joined the club as an assistant manager{{cite news|title=Queen of the South assistant Sandy Clark eager to get new era underway at Palmerston|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/queen-of-the-south-assistant-sandy-clark-878021|publisher=Daily Record|date=16 May 2012|access-date=15 April 2014}} and he formed a striking partnership with Derek Lyle.{{cite news|title=Nick of time: Lyle eyes deadly partnership with Clark|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/division-two-qos-2-forfar-1258058|publisher=Daily Record|date=13 August 2012|access-date=15 April 2014}} Clark would score 41 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions, including scoring two hat-tricks against Stranraer{{cite news|title=QoS 4 Stranraer 1: Nicky Clark treble sends Queens nine-points clear|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/qos-4-stranraer-1-sfl-1507112|publisher=Daily Record|date=27 December 2012|access-date=15 April 2014}} and Forfar Athletic.{{cite news|title=Match Report: Forfar Athletic 0 – 4 Queen of the South|url=http://www.qosfc.com/new_report.aspx?fixtureid=664|publisher=Queens of the South Official Website|date=20 April 2013|access-date=15 April 2014}} Clark also played a role in winning the Challenge Cup Final when he scored the opener before Partick Thistle equalised, leading to a penalty shootout. Queen of the South would win the penalty shootout 6–5 to lift the cup.{{cite news|title=Queen of The South 1 – 1 Partrick (6–5 pens)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22043859|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 April 2013}} With the club also winning the Second Division, this gained the club their inaugural league and cup double.
Clark was the SFL Division 2 Player of the Year for the 2012–13 season,{{cite web|url=http://www.qosfc.com/new_newsview.aspx?newsid=1812|title=Queens Duo Scoop Another Double at PFA Awards|date=5 May 2013|access-date=1 June 2013|publisher=Queen of the South F.C.}} and he also won the Ginger Boot Award for being the top scorer across all four Scottish divisions.{{cite web|url=http://www.qosfc.com/new_newsview.aspx?newsid=1830|title=Irn Bru Phenomenal End of Season Awards|date=24 May 2013|access-date=1 June 2013|publisher=Queen of the South F.C.}} Clark was also named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the Second Division alongside team-mates Chris Mitchell, Mark Durnan, Chris Higgins, Daniel Carmichael and Lee Robinson.{{cite news|title=PFA Scotland Team of the Year includes four from both Celtic and Motherwell|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/aberdeen/223761-pfa-scotland-team-of-the-year-includes-four-from-both-celtic-and-motherwell/|publisher=STV|date=2 May 2013|access-date=16 April 2014}}
=Rangers=
In May 2013 he signed a three-year contract with Rangers, effective from 1 September 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/4051-clark-agrees-three-year-deal|title=Clark Agrees Three-Year Deal|date=28 May 2013|access-date=1 June 2013|publisher=Rangers F.C.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221154513/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/4051-clark-agrees-three-year-deal|archive-date=21 February 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22690052|title=Nicky Clark: Rangers agree deal to sign Queen of the South striker|date=28 May 2013|access-date=1 June 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}} The move was successful after Clark started talks with Ally McCoist.{{cite news|title=Transfer News: Nicky Clark confirms talks about possible move to Rangers|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11788/8697033/transfer-news-nicky-clark-confirms-talks-about-possible-move-to-rangers|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 May 2013|access-date=15 April 2014}} Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Clark expressed the opinion that playing in the Scottish League One would not be easy.{{cite news|title=Rangers striker Nicky Clark: I know the second division... it's not going to be easy|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-striker-nicky-clark-know-1936923|publisher=Daily Record|date=7 June 2013|access-date=15 April 2014}}
Clark scored on his debut on 31 August 2013 after 30 seconds, as Rangers won 5–0 against East Fife, just one day before the end of the club's transfer embargo.{{cite news|title=Rangers 5 East Fife 0: Lee McCulloch scores a hat-trick as Rangers romp home against the Fifers|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/rangers-5-east-fife-0-2241413|date=31 August 2013|work=Daily Record|access-date=15 April 2014}} After the match, Clark said he believed the club could score 100 goals by the end of the season after scoring 18 goals at such an early stage.{{cite news|title=Nicky Clark nets on Rangers debut and then claims his side can hit 100 goals this season|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/new-rangers-striker-nicky-clark-2242635|last=McDermott|first=Scott|date=1 September 2013|work=Daily Record|access-date=15 April 2014}} Clark initially struggled to make an impact, as he was often on the bench. This led to the Evening Times questioning whether Clark should become a first team starter.{{cite news|title=Should Nicky Clark be a starter for Rangers?|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/should-nicky-clark-be-a-starter-for-rangers-140007n.22477543|date=21 October 2013|work=Evening Times|access-date=15 April 2014}} This continued until he scored four goals in a 6–1 win over Forfar Athletic on 3 December 2013.{{cite news|title=Rangers 6 Forfar 1: Rampant Rangers set new post-war club record by bagging 19th consecutive win in style and hitting Forfar for six|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/rangers-v-forfar-league-one-2880593|date=3 December 2013|work=Daily Record|access-date=15 April 2014}} In the second half of the season, Clark suffered a broken foot that kept him out for five weeks.{{cite news|title=Clark set to miss out with hurt foot|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/clark-set-to-miss-out-with-hurt-foot-148650n.23198622|date=17 January 2014|work=Evening Times|access-date=15 April 2014}} After his return, Clark scored in a 2–1 win over Brechin City on 23 March 2014.{{cite news|title=Brechin 1 Rangers 2: workmanlike Gers continue 34-game unbeaten run|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/u/brechin-1-rangers-2-workmanlike-gers-continue-unbeaten-run.1395587088|date=24 March 2014|work=Evening Times|access-date=15 April 2014}}
On 3 May, Rangers became the first side in 116 years to go an entire league season unbeaten after a 1–1 draw with Dunfermline during which they clinched the Scottish League One championship. On 28 December 2015, Clark scored in the 65th minute in a crucial match against Hibernian, which put Rangers three points clear of Hibs.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/28/rangers-hibernian-scottish-championship-match-report|title=Ten-man Rangers go top in their own right after beating Hibernian 4-2|last=Murray|first=Ewen|date=28 December 2015|work=The Guardian|accessdate=6 September 2022|language=en-GB}}
On 23 May 2016, Clark was released by Rangers.{{cite web|url=http://stv.tv/sport/football/1355038-nicky-clark-released-as-rangers-begin-their-summer-squad-reshuffle/|title=Nicky Clark released as Rangers begin their summer squad reshuffle|website=STV Sport}}
=Bury=
On 25 June 2016, Clark signed for Football League One side Bury on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/confirmed-clark-links-up-with-clarke-clarke-3156600.aspx|title=CONFIRMED: Clark links up with Clarke & Clarke}} Clark made his debut for Bury in a 2–0 victory over Charlton on 6 August 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36929925 |title=Bury 2 – 0 Charlton Athletic |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=6 August 2016 |access-date=31 August 2016}} However, after Bury signed James Vaughan from Birmingham City, Clark was deemed surplus to requirement and allowed to leave Gigg Lane, having made only four competitive appearances.{{cite web |url=http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/confirmed-nicky-clark-moves-on-3282962.aspx |title=CONFIRMED: Nicky Clark moves on |publisher=Bury FC |date=31 August 2016 |access-date=31 August 2016}}
=Dunfermline Athletic=
Clark returned to Scotland after two months in England, signing for Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic in August 2016 on a two-year deal.{{cite web |url=http://dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=Nicky_Clark_signs_for_DAFC&ID=9482 |title=Nicky Clark signs for DAFC |publisher=Dunfermline Athletic FC |date=31 August 2016 |access-date=31 August 2016}} His move to the Pars saw Clark team up with his former manager at Queen of the South, Allan Johnston, as well as his father Sandy Clark who was also assistant to Johnston at the Doonhamers. Clark spent two seasons with the Pars, finishing top goalscorer for the club in both seasons, scoring 16 goals in his first and 21 goals in his second.
=Dundee United=
On 23 May 2018, after opting not to extend his contract with Dunfermline Athletic, Clark joined fellow Scottish Championship club Dundee United on a two-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/5633/CLARK-STRIKES-UNITED-DEAL.html |title=Clark strikes United deal |publisher=Dundee United FC |date=23 May 2018 |access-date=23 May 2018}} In his first season, he scored 15 goals in 36 competitive first team games.[https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51472 Nicky Clark on Soccerbase]
During the 2019–20 season Clark played in a deeper role in the side. He signed an extended contract in January 2020, despite having suffered an ankle injury that required surgery.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51084015 |title=Nicky Clark: New deal for Dundee United striker despite season-ending injury |website=BBC Sport |date=12 January 2020 |access-date=12 January 2020}}
On 14 January 2021, Clark signed a new contract with Dundee United, keeping him at the club until 2023.{{cite web|title=Nicky Clark signs two-year contract extension at Dundee United after Dundee interest|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/1888621/nicky-clark-signs-two-year-contract-extension-at-dundee-united-after-dundee-interest/|last=Woodger|first=Calum|website=thecourier.co.uk|date=14 January 2021|access-date=16 January 2021}}
=St Johnstone=
On 31 August 2022, Clark signed for St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/new-striker-nicky-clark-feeling-27875000 |last=Gallagher |first=Matthew |title=New striker Nicky Clark on feeling wanted at St Johnstone and his "brilliant" McDiarmid memories |work=Daily Record |date=31 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62735823|title=Nicky Clarke: Striker joins St Johnstone from Dundee United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2022|accessdate=31 August 2022}}
Personal life
Clark was born in Bellshill and his father is the former Airdrieonians, Heart of Midlothian and Rangers striker, Sandy Clark.{{cite web|url=http://qosfc.com/new_newsview.aspx?newsid=739|title=Two more signings|date=19 July 2011|access-date=1 June 2013|publisher=Queen of the South F.C.}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 28 February 2024}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Queen of the South
Rangers
- Scottish Championship: 2015–16
- Scottish League One: 2013–14
- Scottish Challenge Cup: 2015–16{{cite web|title=Rangers 4–0 Peterhead|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35953055|publisher=BBC Sport|last=English|first=Tom|date=10 April 2016|access-date=17 July 2019}}
Dundee United
- Scottish Championship: 2019–20
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerbase}}
{{St Johnstone F.C. squad}}
{{2012–13 PFA Scotland Second Division Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Nicky}}
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Aberdeen F.C. players
Category:Peterhead F.C. players
Category:Queen of the South F.C. players
Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players
Category:Dundee United F.C. players
Category:St Johnstone F.C. players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Scottish Football League players