Paul Clough
{{short description|English rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Paul Clough
|fullname =
|image = Paul Clough Huddersfield.jpg
|image_size = 160
|caption =
|position = {{rlp|PR|SR}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1987|9|27}}
|birth_place = St Helens, Merseyside, England
|height = {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|16|st|3|lb|kg|abbr=on}} {{cite web|url= http://www.saintsrlfc.com/team/73|title=Meet the Teams First Team Players|year=2011|work=web page|publisher=Saints RFC|accessdate=11 June 2011}}
|club1 = St. Helens
|year1start = 2004
|year1end = 14
|appearances1 = 189
|tries1 = 24
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 96
|club2 = → Whitehaven
|year2start = 2013{{small|(loan)}}
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 4
|tries2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 0
|club3 = → Widnes Vikings
|year3start = 2014{{small|(loan)}}
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 15
|tries3 = 1
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 4
|club4 = Bradford Bulls
|year4start = 2015
|year4end = 16
|appearances4 = 45
|tries4 = 1
|goals4 = 0
|fieldgoals4 = 0
|points4 = 4
|club5 = Huddersfield Giants
|year5start = 2017
|year5end = 20
|appearances5 = 82
|tries5 = 3
|goals5 = 0
|fieldgoals5 = 0
|points5 = 12
|club6 = Widnes Vikings
|year6start = 2021
|year6end =
|appearances6 = 19
|tries6 = 0
|goals6 = 0
|fieldgoals6 = 0
|points6 = 0
|teamA = England Knights
|yearAstart = 2011
|yearAend = 12
|appearancesA = 2
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|new = yes
|retired = no
|source = [https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Paul-Clough/ loverugbyleague][http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/paul-clough/summary.html Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org]
|updated = 15 December 2020
}}
Paul Clough (born 27 September 1987), also known by the nickname of "Cloughy", is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr}} or {{rlp|sr}} forward for Widnes Vikings in the RFL Championship and the England Knights at international level.
He has previously played in the Super League for St Helens, and on loan from St Helens at the Widnes Vikings. Clough played for the Bradford Bulls in the Kingstone Press Championship.
Background
He was born in St Helens, Merseyside, England. He is the younger brother of the rugby league footballer John Clough.
St Helens
In November 2006 Paul Clough was promoted to train full-time with the St Helens' first team squad. He had also been training with the squad in 2005's Super League X, but his performances saw him included in St Helens elite 25-man squad for the upcoming season. Clough was expected to compete for a regular first team spot over the next few years and was given the number 22 jersey for the 2007's Super League XII. Clough was a powerful second rower, a driving force in the tackle, and a player who was already physically imposing, especially considering his age. The backrower made his Super League début in July 2005 against Hull F.C..
Clough played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-04|accessdate=2008-10-05}}
Clough was awarded the number 17 jersey for 2009's Super League XIV.
Clough played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final defeat by Leeds at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Rugby-League-Super-League-Leeds-Rhinos-St-Helens-Old-Trafford-Grand-Final/Article/200910215403491|title=Rhinos Take Super League Title|date=2009-10-11|publisher=Sky News|accessdate=22 November 2019}}{{cite news|last=Burke|first=David|title=Smith's Crisp|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2009/10/11/smith-s-crisp-115875-21738035|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=The Daily Mirror|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=AFP|title=Leeds makes it Super League hat-trick|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-10-11/leeds-makes-it-super-league-hat-trick/1098564|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=ABC News|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=AAP|author-link=Australian Associated Press|title=Leeds claim third successive Grand Final|url=http://www.nrl.com/NewsViews/LatestNews/NewsArticle/tabid/10874/newsId/57077/Default.aspx|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=nrl.com|date=11 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003225647/http://www.nrl.com/NewsViews/LatestNews/NewsArticle/tabid/10874/newsId/57077/Default.aspx|archive-date=3 October 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Linfoot|first=Ben|title=Grand Final: Leeds Rhinos 18 St Helens 10|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague/match_commentary/0,19936,11070_3204177,00.html|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=Sky Sports|date=10 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=|title=Potter refuses to blame video ref|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/2009/10/12/potter-refuses-to-blame-video-ref-100252-24906251|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|date=12 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|title=St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/8290503.stm|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Third time unlucky as Saints fail to halt Rhinos’ charge to title|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/2009/10/12/third-time-unlucky-as-saints-fail-to-halt-rhinos-charge-to-title-92534-24906166|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=Liverpool Daily Post|date=12 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Sinfield hails winning culture|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/latest/2009/10/11/sinfield-hails-winning-culture-115875-21738669|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=The Daily Mirror|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|last=Stewart|first=Rob|title=Lee Smith targets place in England rugby union team after Grand Final victory|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/6299292/Lee-Smith-targets-place-in-England-rugby-union-team-after-Grand-Final-victory.html|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=12 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Sinfield hails historic title win|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/leeds/8301354.stm|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=11 October 2009}}{{cite news|title=Leeds Rhinos fans in homecoming welcome|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/video_leeds_rhinos_fans_in_homecoming_welcome_1_2230845|accessdate=22 November 2019|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=12 October 2009}}
Clough played in the 2011 Super League Grand Final defeat against Leeds at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/oct/08/super-league-grand-final-match-report?newsfeed=true|title=Leeds claim Grand Final glory as inspired Rob Burrow sinks St Helens|date=8 October 2011|work=Guardian|accessdate=21 November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/8815944/St-Helens-16-Leeds-32-match-report.html|title=St Helens 16 Leeds 32|date=8 October 2011|work=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=21 November 2019}}
Bradford Bulls
2015 - 2015 Season
Clough signed for the Bradford Bulls on a two-year deal. He featured in the pre-season friendlies against Castleford and Leeds. He featured in Round 1 against Leigh to Round 20 Hunslet R.L.F.C. then in Round 22 against Leigh to Round 23 Halifax. Clough played in Qualifier 1 against the Sheffield Eagles to Qualifier 7 Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax. Clough played in the £1 Million Game against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. He also featured in the Challenge Cup in Round 4 Workington Town to Round 5 Hull Kingston Rovers.
2016 - 2016 Season
Clough did not feature in any of the pre-season friendlies. He featured in Round 6 Batley to Round 14 Sheffield then in Round 17 Workington Town to Round 19 Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax. Clough played in the Challenge Cup in the 4th Round Dewsbury.
Huddersfield Giants
In November 2016 Clough signed for the Huddersfield Giants on a two-year deal beginning at the start of the 2017 Super League season.{{cite news|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbulls/14881215.Clough_exit_from_Bradford_Bulls_to_Huddersfield_Giants_confirmed/?ref=rl&lp=3|title=Clough exit from Bradford Bulls to Huddersfield Giants confirmed|work=Telegraph & Argus|date=11 November 2016|accessdate=20 February 2017}} He had only played 45 times, scoring one try for Bradford.
Widnes Vikings
On 24 August 2020 it was announced that Clough would join Widnes for the 2021 season on a one-year deal{{cite web|url=https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/18672840.widnes-vikings-sign-experienced-packman-paul-clough/|title=Widnes Vikings sign experienced packman Paul Clough|newspaper=Runcorn and Widnes World|accessdate=15 Dec 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://giantsrl.com/locker-room/profile/392/paul-clough Huddersfield Giants profile]
- [http://www.saintsrlfc.com/profiles_player.asp?main_id=1&id=35 St Helens profile]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- [https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/204/paul%3Cbr-%3Eclough SL profile]
- [http://www.saints.org.uk/saints/player.php?num=16622 Saints Heritage Society profile]
{{St. Helens - 2007 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St. Helens - 2008 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clough, Paul}}
Category:Bradford Bulls players
Category:England Knights national rugby league team players
Category:English rugby league players
Category:Huddersfield Giants players
Category:Rugby articles needing expert attention
Category:Rugby league players from St Helens, Merseyside
Category:Rugby league second-rows