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Frank Clarke (footballer)

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Frank Clarke
Personal information
Full name Frank James Clarke
Date of birth (1942-07-15)15 July 1942
Place of birth Willenhall, Staffordshire, England
Date of death 2 June 2022(2022-06-02) (aged 79)
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Willenhall Town
1961–1968 Shrewsbury Town 188 (77)
1968–1970 Queens Park Rangers 67 (17)
1970–1973 Ipswich Town 66 (15)
1973–1978 Carlisle United 126 (30)
Total 524 (139)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Frank James Clarke (15 July 1942 – 2 June 2022) was an English footballer. Clarke was the eldest of five brothers who all played in the Football League.

Career

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After playing non-league football for Willenhall Town, he played in the Football League as a centre forward for Shrewsbury Town, Queens Park Rangers, Ipswich Town, and Carlisle United.[1] He made his debut for Shrewsbury Town in 1962 and made 188 appearances for the club.[2] His goal tally of 77 goals was joint-second on the club's all-time scorers list.[2] He was inducted into Shrewsbury Town Hall of Fame.[2]

His younger brothers Allan, Derek, Kelvin and Wayne all played in the Football League. Frank was the only one of the five who did not represent Walsall.[3]

Personal life

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After his retirement from football, Clarke returned to Shrewsbury and worked as a newsagent, and at the Adams Sports Centre in Wem[2] as a supervisor for 28 years, until 2010. He dedicated much of his time caring for his family and looking after his grandchildren.[4]

Clarke died on 2 June 2022, surrounded by his family, at the age of 79,[2] leaving wife Sylvia and two daughters, five grandchildren and great grandchildren.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Frank Clarke". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Frank Clarke: Former Shrewsbury Town, QPR, Ipswich Town and Carlisle United striker dies". BBC Sport. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  3. ^ Edwards, Leigh. "Ultimate Saddlers A-Z 4". Walsall F.C. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Shrews goal legend Clarke dies aged 79". Shropshire Star. 4 June 2022. p. 80.