Sandy Clark

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Sandy Clark

| image = File:Sandy Clark 2018.jpg

| fullname = Alexander Clark{{Hugman|3505|access-date=23 February 2017}}

| height =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|10|28|df=y}}

| birth_place = Airdrie, Scotland

| currentclub = Albion Rovers (manager)

| clubnumber =

| position = Striker

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 1974–1982

| years2 = 1982–1983

| years3 = 1983–1984

| years4 = 1984–1989

| years5 = 1989–1990

| years6 = 1990

| clubs1 = Airdrieonians

| clubs2 = West Ham United

| clubs3 = Rangers

| clubs4 = Heart of Midlothian

| clubs5 = Partick Thistle

| clubs6 = Dunfermline Athletic

| caps1 = 234

| caps2 = 26

| caps3 = 62

| caps4 = 136

| caps5 = 3

| caps6 = 4

| goals1 = 92

| goals2 = 7

| goals3 = 21

| goals4 = 35

| goals5 = 0

| goals6 = 0

| totalcaps = 465

| totalgoals = 155

| manageryears1 = 1989–1990

| manageryears2 = 1993–1994

| manageryears3 = 1996–1998

| manageryears4 = 1998–2001

| manageryears5 = 2004–2005

| manageryears6 = 2022–2023

| manageryears7 = 2023–

| managerclubs1 = Partick Thistle

| managerclubs2 = Heart of Midlothian

| managerclubs3 = Hamilton Academical

| managerclubs4 = St Johnstone

| managerclubs5 = Berwick Rangers

| managerclubs6 = East Stirlingshire

| managerclubs7 = Albion Rovers

}}

Alexander "Sandy" Clark (born 28 October 1956) is a Scottish professional football manager and former player who manages Scottish Lowland Football League club Albion Rovers.

Career

Clark played for several clubs in his playing career including his home town club Airdrieonians, Rangers, Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) and West Ham United.{{Cite web |last=thefitbanomad |date=2018-01-14 |title=Exclusive Interview with Sandy Clark |url=https://thefitbanomad.wordpress.com/2018/01/14/exclusive-interview-with-sandy-clark/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=The Fitba Nomad |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shea |first=Julian |date=2022-04-10 |title=Sandy Clark: 'It was my choice to leave West Ham, but I wish I'd stayed longer' |url=https://blowing-bubbles.co.uk/2022/04/10/sandy-clark-it-was-my-choice-to-leave-west-ham-but-i-wish-id-stayed-longer/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Blowing Bubbles |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Greatest XI – 10. Striker |url=https://www.airdriefc.com/1516news/090416/Greatest-XI---10.-Striker |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=airdrie |language=en}} His longest and most successful spells were those at Tynecastle and Broomfield. In 1982, Clark won the Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year award.{{Cite web |title=A look back on the history of the Player of the Year award as PFA Scotland prepares to announce latest shortlist |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15258253.look-back-history-player-year-award-pfa-scotland-prepares-announce-latest-shortlist/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=HeraldScotland |language=en}} In 1984, Clark went on to win the Scottish League Cup final with Rangers in a 3–2 victory over Celtic.{{Cite web |last=Dailyrecord.co.uk |date=2009-02-10 |title=League Cup Final: Rangers 3 Celtic 2, March 25, 1984 |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/league-cup-final-rangers-3-1009200 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}

He has managed several clubs, including Partick Thistle, Hamilton Academical, Hearts (twice, once as caretaker), St Johnstone and Berwick Rangers.{{Cite web |date=2010-07-21 |title=Sandy Clark still has a burning desire to manage again |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/sandy-clark-still-has-burning-desire-manage-again-1711959 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=scotsman.com |language=en}}

His work with BBC Scotland previously included TV commentary, where he was the regular summariser to main commentator Rob MacLean.{{Cite web|url=http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?p=58075313|title = Radio Football Commentators and Reporters 2011/12 – Page 87|website=Forums.digitalspy.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Football: We're on the same wavelength; SANDY CLARK'S NOT THE ONLY ONE OF HIS FAMILY WITH CAREER IN BROADCASTING WIFE LIZ IS ON RADIO TOO. – Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football:+We%27re+on+the+same+wavelength;+SANDY+CLARK%27S+NOT+THE+ONLY...-a0114768297 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=thefreelibrary.com}}

In 2005, Clark was appointed as a striker coach at Aberdeen.{{Cite web |title=Football: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER; BATTLE FOR EUROPE: Hibs v Aberdeen, tomorrow Clark: I was nearly a Don 25 years ago. – Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football:+BETTER+LATE+THAN+NEVER;+BATTLE+FOR+EUROPE:+Hibs+v+Aberdeen,...-a0132405116 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=thefreelibrary.com}} He left the club in May 2009, along with manager Jimmy Calderwood and assistant Jimmy Nicholl.{{Cite web |date=2009-05-24 |title=Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood quits after European qualification |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/24/aberdeen-jimmy-calderwood-quits |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} In January 2010 he joined Kilmarnock as first team coach, working under the same management team until the end of the 2009–10 season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/8714271.stm |title=Manager Jimmy Calderwood will not return to Kilmarnock |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2010 |access-date=10 June 2014}} Clark was a sports performance lecturer at Cumbernauld College after leaving Kilmarnock.{{cite web |url=http://www.cumbernauld.ac.uk/together/news/latest/207-football-legend-sandy-clark-launches-book-at-cumbernauld-college |title=Football legend Sandy Clark launches book at Cumbernauld College – Cumbernauld College – Serious About Learning |access-date=2013-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629084627/http://www.cumbernauld.ac.uk/together/news/latest/207-football-legend-sandy-clark-launches-book-at-cumbernauld-college |archive-date=29 June 2013 }}

Clark was appointed Queen of the South's assistant manager to Allan Johnston on 14 May 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18063006 |title=Queen of the South appoint Sandy Clark as assistant manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2012 |access-date=10 June 2014}} Johnston and Clark signed a one-year contract extension on 13 April 2013,{{Cite web |url=http://www.qosfc.com/new_newsview.aspx?newsid=1768 |title=Queen of the South FC – Official Website |access-date=16 April 2013 |archive-date=27 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527204319/http://www.qosfc.com/new_newsview.aspx?newsid=1768 |url-status=dead }} but then moved onto Kilmarnock as that club's new management team in June 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23028129 |title=Kilmarnock: Allan Johnston becomes new manager |first=John |last=Barnes |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=10 June 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kilmarnock-man-queen-south-boss-1990498 |title=Kilmarnock get their man as Queen of the South boss Allan Johnston agrees to replace Kenny Shiels at Rugby Park |first=Gordon |last=Parks |work=Daily Record |date=25 June 2013 }} Clark left Kilmarnock in May 2014{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27542633 |first=John |last=Barnes |title=Kilmarnock: Sandy Clark leaves role as assistant manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=10 June 2014}} and was appointed assistant manager to Darren Young at Albion Rovers in June 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27787950 |title=Darren Young replaces James Ward as Albion Rovers boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2014 |access-date=10 June 2014}} At the end of the 2014–15 season, Clark departed Albion Rovers and was once again re-united with Allan Johnston, this time as assistant manager of Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic.{{cite news |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/league-1/dunfermline-to-appoint-sandy-clark-as-assistant-boss-1.878614 |title=Dunfermline to appoint Sandy Clark as assistant boss |publisher=The Courier |date=27 May 2015 |access-date=27 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527143641/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/league-1/dunfermline-to-appoint-sandy-clark-as-assistant-boss-1.878614 |archive-date=27 May 2015 }} Johnston and Clark departed the Pars during January 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46812987 |title=Dunfermline: Allan Johnston and club 'part company' |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=8 May 2015}} and returned to Dumfries club Queens for a second spell on 5 May 2019, after the departure of Gary Naysmith. Johnston and Clark joined on a two-year contract and their first game in-charge came in the Scottish Championship play-off first-leg versus Montrose.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48171292 |title=Queen of the South: Allan Johnston returns Palmerston Park as manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2019 |access-date=6 May 2019}} On 16 April 2021, Johnston and Clark signed a contract extension to remain the Doonhamers management team until May 2023.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qosfc.com/news-5398|title=QosFC: Contract Extension For Management Team|website=Qosfc.com|access-date=30 October 2021}} On 13 February 2022, Johnston and Clark departed the Doonhamers by mutual consent (4 wins in 24 matches) as the Dumfries club languished in the automatic relegation place in the Scottish Championship.{{cite web | url=http://www.qosfc.com/news-5677 | title=QosFC: Management Team Depart }}

On 25 November 2022, Clark was appointed manager of Lowland League side East Stirlingshire.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-26 |title=East Stirlingshire: Former Hearts and St Johnstone boss Sandy Clark named as Derek Ure's successor |url=https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/football/east-stirlingshire-former-hearts-and-st-johnstone-boss-sandy-clark-named-as-derek-ures-successor-3932574 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=falkirkherald.co.uk |language=en}} This was to be Clark's first managerial position since he departed Berwick Rangers in 2005.

On 28 March 2023, Clark would leave East Stirlingshire and was named the new manager of Scottish League Two club Albion Rovers.{{Cite web |last=Kearney |first=Ben |date=28 March 2023 |title=East Stirlingshire: Sandy Clark leaves Falkirk club to make SPFL move to Albion Rovers |url=https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/football/international/east-stirlingshire-sandy-clark-leaves-falkirk-club-to-make-spfl-move-to-albion-rovers-4083308 |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=The Falkirk Herald}}

Personal life

Sandy Clark is the father of Nicky Clark, who has also played for Rangers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22690052 |title=Nicky Clark: Rangers agree deal to sign Queen of the South striker |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2013 |access-date=10 June 2014}}

=Managerial record=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
rowspan="2!" style="width:130px;"\|Team ! rowspan="2!" style="width:120px;"\|From ! rowspan="2!" style="width:120px;"\|To !colspan=5\|Record
width=40\|G !width=40\|W !width=40\|D !width=40\|L !width=50\|Win %
align=left\|Heart of Midlothian \|align=left\|10 May 1993 \|align=left\|20 June 1994 {{WDL\|51\|15\|20\|16}}
align=left\|Hamilton Academical \|align=left\|1 September 1996 \|align=left\|5 September 1998 {{WDL\|93\|38\|29\|26}}
align=left\|St Johnstone \|align=left\|7 September 1998 \|align=left\|25 September 2001 {{WDL\|132\|40\|43\|49}}
align=left\|Berwick Rangers \|align=left\|13 October 2004 \|align=left\|31 May 2006 {{WDL\|77\|35\|19\|23}}
align=left\|East Stirlingshire \|align=left\|25 November 2022 \|align=left\|27 March 2023 {{WDL\|15\|6\|2\|7}}
align=left\|Albion Rovers \|align=left\|28 March 2023 \|align=left\|Present {{WDL\|14\|4\|2\|8}}
colspan=3\|Total {{WDLtot\|382\|138\|115\|129}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

rowspan="2!" style="width:130px;"|Team

! rowspan="2!" style="width:120px;"|From

! rowspan="2!" style="width:120px;"|To

!colspan=5|Record

width=40|G

!width=40|W

!width=40|D

!width=40|L

!width=50|Win %

align=left|Heart of Midlothian

|align=left|10 May 1993

|align=left|20 June 1994

align=left|Hamilton Academical

|align=left|1 September 1996

|align=left|5 September 1998

align=left|St Johnstone

|align=left|7 September 1998

|align=left|25 September 2001

align=left|Berwick Rangers

|align=left|13 October 2004

|align=left|31 May 2006

align=left|East Stirlingshire

|align=left|25 November 2022

|align=left|27 March 2023

align=left|Albion Rovers

|align=left|28 March 2023

|align=left|Present

colspan=3|Total

Statistics from Partick Thistle unavailable.

References

External links

{{soccerbase (manager)|id=1351|name=Sandy Clark}}
[http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/players/clarksandy.html Profile] at [http://www.londonhearts.com londonhearts.com]

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Category:1956 births

Category:Living people