Craig Clay
![]() Clay playing for York City in 2013 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Craig William Clay[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 5 May 1992||
Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3] | ||
Position(s) | Central midfielder[4] | ||
Youth career | |||
2008–2010 | Chesterfield | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2010–2013 | Chesterfield | 27 | (1) |
2010 | → Barrow (loan) | 1 | (0) |
2012 | → Alfreton Town (loan) | 4 | (1) |
2013–2014 | York City | 8 | (0) |
2014 | FC Halifax Town | 4 | (0) |
2014 | Worksop Town | 9 | (0) |
2014–2016 | Grimsby Town | 74 | (5) |
2016–2017 | Motherwell | 35 | (1) |
2017–2023 | Leyton Orient | 210 | (6) |
2023–2024 | Sutton United | 27 | (1) |
International career | |||
2016 | England C | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:59, 31 August 2024 (UTC) |
Craig William Clay (born 5 May 1992) is an English professional footballer who last played as a central midfielder for National League club Sutton United.
He has previously had spells as a professional for Chesterfield, York City, Grimsby Town and Motherwell before a four-year spell with Leyton Orient where he won several promotions and was voted the player of the year in 2019. He has also played semi-professionally for Barrow, Alfreton Town, FC Halifax Town and Worksop Town. In 2016 he was capped once by England C.
Club career
[edit]Chesterfield
[edit]Clay was born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.[5] He started his career with Chesterfield's youth system in 2008 and was part of the team that won the Youth League.[6][7] He was named Chesterfield's Young Player of the Year for the 2008–09 season.[8] His first involvement with the first team came as an unused substitute in a League Two match against Torquay United on 16 January 2010.[9] He made the bench on a number occasions through the rest of 2009–10, but did not make an appearance.[9]
He signed a two-year professional contract with Chesterfield in June 2010.[10] He made his debut for the club on 18 September 2010, in a 3–0 home win over Cheltenham Town, replacing Mark Allott in the 85th minute.[11] On 2 October 2010, he scored his first professional goal with a 25-yard shot during stoppage time to earn a 5–5 draw at home to Crewe Alexandra.[11][12] On 28 October 2010, Clay joined Conference Premier club Barrow on a one-month loan with Chesterfield teammate Tendayi Darikwa.[13] His only appearance for Barrow came two days later, in a 5–0 defeat away to Rushden & Diamonds.[14] He made four appearances and scored one goal for Chesterfield in 2010–11,[11] in which the club was promoted to League One as League Two champions.[15]
Clay was loaned out by Chesterfield for a second time on 20 January 2012, joining Conference Premier club Alfreton Town on a one-month loan.[16][17] Four days later, he scored Alfreton's third goal in a 3–0 win away to Bath City on his debut with a shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 90th minute.[18][19] Clay finished the loan with one goal in four appearances.[20] He made one more appearance for Chesterfield before the end of 2011–12, which he finished with eight appearances[18] as the club was relegated to League Two in 22nd place.[21]
He signed a new one-year contract with Chesterfield in May 2012.[22] His only goal of 2012–13 came in a 6–1 win over League One team Hartlepool United in the FA Cup first round on 3 November 2012.[23] Clay had a double hernia operation in March 2013 and after returning made one more appearance before the end of the season, as an 89th-minute substitute in a 2–0 victory away to Barnet on 6 April.[23][24] He was released by Chesterfield on 29 April 2013[25] after making 23 appearances and scoring one goal in 2012–13.[23]
York City
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Craig_Clay_07-09-2013_2.jpg/170px-Craig_Clay_07-09-2013_2.jpg)
Clay signed for League Two club York City on 17 May 2013 on a two-year contract.[26][27] He made his debut in a 1–0 home win over Northampton Town on 3 August 2013, in the first match of 2013–14.[28] Having made 10 appearances for York,[28] Clay left the club by mutual consent on 13 January 2014, along with Jamal Fyfield.[29]
FC Halifax Town and Worksop Town
[edit]He signed for Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town on 16 January 2014 on a one-month contract[30][31] and made his debut two days later in a 1–1 home draw with Cambridge United.[20] After making four appearances for the club he was released on 24 February 2014.[32] Nearly a month later, Clay signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Worksop Town on 21 March 2014.[33] He made his debut the following day as an 84th-minute substitute for Shane Clarke in a 2–0 away win over Stafford Rangers.[34]
Grimsby Town
[edit]Clay signed for Conference Premier club Grimsby Town on 28 July 2014 on a one-year contract, having spent the pre-season on trial.[35] On 15 May 2016, he started for Grimsby as they beat Forest Green Rovers 3–1 at Wembley Stadium in the 2016 National League play-off final.[36] This meant Grimsby were promoted to League Two, after a six-year absence from the Football League.[36] Clay was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2015–16 season.[37]
Motherwell
[edit]Upon his release from Grimsby, Clay joined South African Premier Division club Bidvest Wits on trial.[38] Clay then joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on trial,[39] playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 victory over East Stirlingshire in the Scottish League Cup on 26 July 2016.[40] Clay made his league debut on 6 August 2016 in a 2–1 victory away to Kilmarnock,[41] before signing a two-year contract with the club on 10 August.[42] He scored his first goal for the club on 28 December 2016, in a 2–1 win away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[43]
Leyton Orient
[edit]Clay signed for newly relegated National League club Leyton Orient on 17 July 2017 on a two-year contract.[44] He went on to win both the National League and EFL League Two titles with the club over the 6 years he was with them. His contract was not renewed at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Sutton United
[edit]On 30 June 2023, Clay signed for EFL League Two side Sutton United.[45]
International career
[edit]Clay made his debut for the England C national team as a substitute in their 2–0 away win over Ukraine under-20s in the International Challenge Trophy on 22 March 2016.[46]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 2 April 2021
Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Chesterfield | 2009–10[47] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2010–11[11] | League Two | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
2011–12[18] | League One | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
2012–13[23] | League Two | 19 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
Total | 27 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 35 | 2 | ||
Barrow (loan) | 2010–11[14] | Conference Premier | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
Alfreton Town (loan) | 2011–12[20] | Conference Premier | 4 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||
York City | 2013–14[28] | League Two | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
FC Halifax Town | 2013–14[20] | Conference Premier | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
Worksop Town | 2013–14[48] | NPL Premier Division | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 9 | 0 | |||
Grimsby Town | 2014–15[20] | Conference Premier | 39 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | 47 | 2 | |
2015–16[20] | National League | 35 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | 5[e] | 0 | 44 | 3 | ||
Total | 74 | 5 | 6 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | 91 | 5 | |||
Motherwell | 2016–17[41] | Scottish Premiership | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 39 | 1 | |
2017–18[49] | Scottish Premiership | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
Total | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 1 | ||
Leyton Orient | 2017–18[20] | National League | 43 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 4[f] | 0 | 49 | 4 | |
2018–19[20] | National League | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5[f] | 1 | 48 | 1 | ||
2019–20[50] | League Two | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
2020–21[51] | League Two | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | 36 | 1 | |
Total | 152 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 172 | 6 | ||
Career total | 314 | 13 | 15 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 365 | 15 |
- ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
- ^ Includes League Cup, Scottish League Cup
- ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
- ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference Premier play-offs
- ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, two in National League play-offs
- ^ a b Appearances in FA Trophy
Honours
[edit]Grimsby Town
Leyton Orient
Individual
- Chesterfield Young Player of the Year: 2008–09[8]
- Grimsby Town Young Player of the Year: 2014–15[56]
References
[edit]- ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Leyton Orient" (PDF). English Football League. p. 45. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ "Craig Clay". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Craig Clay". Leyton Orient F.C. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ "Craig Clay: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ "Craig Clay". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ Kelly, Tony (24 May 2013). "Craig Clay plots to bring passion to York City's central midfield". The Press. York. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
- ^ "Player profile: Craig Clay". Chesterfield F.C. Archived from the original on 19 March 2013.
- ^ a b "Two awards for hotshot Jack". Derbyshire Times. Chesterfield. 13 May 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Chesterfield: Results/matches: 2009/10". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Contracts for five youngsters". Derbyshire Times. Chesterfield. 2 June 2010. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Craig Clay in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Chesterfield 5–5 Crewe". BBC Sport. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ "Barrow sign Clay and Darikwa on loan from Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
- ^ "League Two: 2010/11: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Law adds Craig Clay on loan". Alfreton Town F.C. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Two more go out on loan". Derbyshire Times. Chesterfield. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Craig Clay in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Bath City 0–3 Alfreton". BBC Sport. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "C. Clay: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- ^ "League One: 2011/12: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Chesterfield trio agree new contracts". BBC Sport. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Craig Clay in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "The Paul Cook interview – Spireites hope to keep abreast of the Robins". Chesterfield Post. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Chesterfield release seven players as Tommy Wright leaves". BBC Sport. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ "York City: Ryan Jarvis and Craig Clay join on free transfers". BBC Sport. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ Kelly, Tony (18 May 2013). "Star turn Nigel Worthington tempts York City's new signings Ryan Jarvis and Craig Clay". The Press. York. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Craig Clay in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ "Clay and Fyfield depart". York City F.C. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016.
- ^ "Duo sign for Shaymen". FC Halifax Town. 16 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Midfielder Clay released by Town". Halifax Courier. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Craig Clay leaves FC Halifax Town". FC Halifax Town. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
- ^ "New signing – Craig Clay". Worksop Town F.C. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ "Stafford Rangers vs Worksop Town FC". Worksop Town F.C. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ "Grimsby Town snap up Jon-Paul Pittman and Craig Clay". Grimsby Telegraph. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Garry, Tom (15 May 2016). "Forest Green Rovers 1–3 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ^ Wood, Liam (24 May 2016). "Grimsby Town retained list: Who are the ins and outs at Blundell Park?". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 May 2016.
- ^ Crann, Joe (11 July 2016). "English midfielder arrives for Wits training". Soccer Laduma. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ Mullen, Scott (12 August 2016). "Craig Clay gamble pays off to land Motherwell contract". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ Young, Chick (26 July 2016). "Motherwell 3–0 East Stirlingshire". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Games played by Craig Clay in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Craig Clay joins the Steelmen". Motherwell F.C. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ^ "Inverness CT 1–2 Motherwell". Motherwell F.C. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "Craig Clay: Leyton Orient sign midfielder from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell". BBC Sport. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Matt makes double swoop". www.suttonunited.net. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Recap: Grimsby Town's Craig Clay plays the final minutes of England C victory". Grimsby Telegraph. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Games played by Craig Clay in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ "Match reports". Worksop Town F.C. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014.
- ^ "Games played by Craig Clay in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Craig Clay in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Craig Clay in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ Alan Smith (22 May 2016). "Scott McManus strikes for Halifax to beat Grimsby in FA Trophy final". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ "Leyton Orient 2-0 Crewe: Richie Wellens' side seal League Two title". Sky Sports. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ^ "National League: 2018/19: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
"Leyton Orient FC: Squad". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 May 2019. - ^ Stevens, Rob (19 May 2019). "AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ Sedgwick, Rob (13 June 2017). "Supporters Young Players of the Year". The Fishy. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Profile at the Leyton Orient F.C. website
- Craig Clay at Soccerbase
- 1992 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Nottingham
- English men's footballers
- England men's semi-pro international footballers
- Men's association football midfielders
- Chesterfield F.C. players
- Barrow A.F.C. players
- Alfreton Town F.C. players
- York City F.C. players
- FC Halifax Town players
- Worksop Town F.C. players
- Grimsby Town F.C. players
- Motherwell F.C. players
- Leyton Orient F.C. players
- Sutton United F.C. players
- English Football League players
- National League (English football) players
- Northern Premier League players
- Scottish Professional Football League players