Josh Clarke (footballer)

Early years (2011–2015)

A right winger, Clarke signed a two-year scholarship at League One side Brentford in the summer of 2011, after being spotted while on a course at Southgate College. He also represented Middlesex Schools at U17 level. He progressed from the youth team to the Development Squad and signed a one-year professional contract for the 2013–14 season.

Clarke made his first team debut in a 5–0 League Cup second round defeat at Derby County in August 2013, playing the full 90 minutes. His second appearance came in a 2–1 Football League Trophy defeat to Peterborough United on 8 October, when he replaced Martin Fillo after 47 minutes. After finishing the 2013–14 season as the leading appearance-maker in the Development Squad, Clarke was promoted into the first team squad for the remainder of the League One season on 16 April 2014. With promotion to the Championship secured, he made his league debut when he replaced right back Nico Yennaris after 81 minutes of a 4–1 defeat to Colchester United 10 days later.

Clarke signed a new a one-year contract on 9 June 2014, but failed to feature at all in the first team during the 2014–15 season. He made 19 Development Squad appearances during the season and moved to a right back role, impressing sufficiently to sign a new one-year extension in late June 2015.

Breakthrough (2015–present)

Clarke made his first senior appearance in over 15 months in the League Cup first round versus Oxford United on 11 August 2015, being one of the few Bees players to offer any spark in the 4–0 defeat. An injury crisis saw him keep his place in the squad throughout August and September, making three further appearances before departing on loan in October 2015. Nearly five months since his previous involvement, injury to right back Maxime Colin and the deployment of Nico Yennaris as a defensive midfielder saw Clarke embark on a run of 8 late-season appearances, taking his tally for 2015–16 to 12.

On 29 June 2016, Clarke signed a new two-year contract. He was an ever-present inclusion in matchday squads early in the 2016–17 season and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Reading on 27 September 2016. He scored again five matches later, netting the opener in a 2–0 West London derby victory over Queen's Park Rangers. In mid-February 2017, he signed a new two-year contract extension, which will keep him at Griffin Park until the end of the 2019–20 season. After a period on the bench, injury to Maxime Colin allowed Clarke to finish the season as a regular starter. He made 32 appearances and two goals during the 2016–17 season.

Clarke began the 2017–18 season down the pecking order on the right side of defence and midfield, but started in Brentford's EFL Cup matches in the opening weeks of the campaign. He scored his first goal of the season in the 4–1 EFL Cup second round victory over rivals Queens Park Rangers on 22 August 2017 and his performance was recognised with a place in the Team of the Round. He scored two goals in two matches in mid-September, in a 1–1 league draw with Reading and a late consolation in a 3–1 EFL Cup third round defeat to Norwich City.

Carshalton Athletic (loans)

In December 2012, Clarke moved to Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic on a work experience loan deal and scored on his debut. Clarke returned to Griffin Park in January 2013 after making seven appearances, but re-signed for the Robins the following month and remained with the club for the rest of the campaign. He made 17 appearances and scored one goal in a season to forget for the club, in which they narrowly avoided relegation.

Maidenhead United (loan)

Clarke moved to Conference South side Maidenhead United on a one-month loan on 4 December 2013. He made his debut in a 3–2 defeat to Sutton United on 7 December, replacing Michael Malcolm after an hour. Clarke's spell at Maidenhead was hit by postponements due to the weather and he returned to Brentford on 6 January 2014, after making just two appearances.

Braintree Town (loan)

On 17 February 2014, Clarke joined Conference Premier side Braintree Town on loan until 12 March. Clarke returned to Brentford when his loan expired, having failed to win a call into the squad.

Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)

Clarke joined League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge on a 28-day youth loan on 22 August 2014. His only involvement with the first team came when he was an unused substitute during the following day's match versus Mansfield Town. Failure to recover from a thigh injury saw Clarke return to Brentford when his loan expired.

Stevenage (loan)

Clarke and Brentford teammate Charlie Adams joined League Two side Stevenage on one-month youth loans on 17 October 2014. He made his debut four days later, replacing Charlie Adams in the dying minutes of a 3–2 defeat to Portsmouth. After two further unused substitute appearances, Clarke was left out of the squad altogether and returned to Brentford when his loan expired.

Barnet (loan)

On 15 October 2015, Clarke joined League Two club Barnet on loan until 3 January 2016. He made a dream start to his time at The Hive, scoring three goals in his first four matches. On 28 November, Clarke received the first red card of his career for two bookable offences during the first half of a 3–1 defeat to Mansfield Town. After serving his suspension, he made two further appearances before suffering a hamstring injury. Clarke returned to Brentford when his loan expired, having made 10 appearances and scored three goals.

Career statistics