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Grace Clinton

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Grace Clinton
Clinton playing for Bristol City in 2023
Personal information
Full name Grace Clinton
Date of birth (2003-03-31) 31 March 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 8
Youth career
Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Everton 14 (0)
2022– Manchester United 5 (3)
2023 → Bristol City (loan) 12 (6)
2023–2024 → Tottenham Hotspur (loan) 20 (4)
International career‡
2020–2021 England U17 2 (1)
2021–2022 England U19 12 (6)
2022– England U23 6 (0)
2024– England 4 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 October 2024

Grace Clinton (born 31 March 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English Women's Super League (WSL) club Manchester United and the England national team. Clinton started her senior career at Everton before moving to Manchester United. She had loan spells at Bristol City, where she won the 2022–23 Championship title, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Club career

[edit]

Everton

[edit]

Clinton came through the Everton academy. In preseason ahead of the 2020–21 campaign, then-16-year-old Clinton was called up to train with the first team after manager Willie Kirk singled her out as "a really talented teenager, but she's probably our sixth-choice midfielder. She could play for every Championship team and possibly a couple of WSL teams."[1] He did, however, note room for improvement in her game defensively, stating she was "a little bit frustrating because she was a little bit lazy out of possession" and stated the influence of experienced England international Jill Scott could have after her arrival on loan in January 2021.[2]

In August 2020, Clinton scored during a 5–0 preseason friendly win against Championship side Blackburn Rovers.[3][4] She made her competitive senior debut for the club on 3 October 2020, appearing as a 74th-minute substitute for Izzy Christiansen in a 6–0 FA WSL victory over Aston Villa.[5]

On 1 November 2020, Clinton was named as part of the squad for the delayed 2020 Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, where she was an unused substitute as Everton lost to Manchester City 3–1 in extra-time.[6][7] She made her first start for the club on 18 November 2020 in a Merseyside derby as Everton beat Liverpool 1–0 in the 2020–21 League Cup.[8][9]

Manchester United

[edit]

On 15 July 2022, it was announced Clinton had signed for Manchester United on a three-year contract. United manager Marc Skinner was delighted with the signing, saying "she will bring invention, creation, and has the personality and resilience required".[10]

Bristol City loan

[edit]

On 14 January 2023, having not yet made an appearance for Manchester United, Clinton joined Women's Championship side Bristol City on loan for the remainder of the season.[11][12] The next day, she scored a 93rd minute equaliser on her debut in a game that Bristol City ended up winning 3–2 against Coventry United.[13] In her second appearance, Clinton was sent off for two yellow cards against Lewes in the 2022–23 League Cup, that City won 1–0.[14]

On 23 April 2023, she scored the opening goal in the 4–0 win over Charlton Athletic, helping the team to win the 2022–23 Championship and promotion back to the WSL.[15][2] In total, Clinton scored six goals in 15 appearances in all competitions for Bristol City,[16] with her loan spell described as a "good stepping stone" by Skinner.[2]

Tottenham Hotspur loan

[edit]

On 14 August 2023, Clinton joined fellow WSL side Tottenham Hotspur on loan for the 2023–24 season.[17][18]

In October 2023, she scored a long range goal against Brighton & Hove Albion to take the lead in a 3–1 win.[19] In the following game she provided an assist for Martha Thomas in a 4–2 victory over Aston Villa.[20] On 21 January 2024, Clinton scored two goals and provided an assist in a 4–3 league win against West Ham, described as the main reason Spurs were the dominant side in the match. Thriving with a struggling Spurs side,[21] in February 2024, BBC Sport named her as a "standout performer" in the WSL. She finished the season with four goals and four assists in 20 WSL appearances.[22] On 21 August 2024, she was named PFA Women's Young Player of the Year.[23]

2024–25 season

[edit]

After two loan spells away from the club, Clinton made her Manchester United debut on 21 September 2024, starting and scoring in an opening day 3–0 win at Old Trafford.[24]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Clinton has played for England at under-17, under-19, and under-23 youth levels.[25]

On 30 July 2021, with the under-19s, Clinton provided the assist for the equalising goal, as well as scored the final goal, in a 4–1 win over Czech Republic.[26] In October 2021, in 2022 U-19 Championship qualification, Clinton scored a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in an 8–1 win,[27] followed by the winning goal against Switzerland in a 1–0 victory,[28] helping England to qualify for the final tournament. On 17 February 2022, in the U-19 Marbella International Tournament, Clinton scored the opening goal in a 4–0 victory over Finland.[29] In June 2022, Clinton was named to the under-19 squad for the 2022 U-19 Championship,[30] where she scored the final goal against Norway in an 8–1 win.[31] She played the full 90 minutes in each group match, as England were eliminated at the group stage.[32]

In November 2022, Clinton played for the under-23 squad in friendlies against Netherlands and Italy.[33] In April 2023, she played in matches against Portugal and Belgium,[34] and was again called up for matches against Norway and Belgium in September 2023, starting both.[35]

Senior

[edit]

Clinton received her first England senior call-up in October 2023 for the UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium but did not make an appearance.[36] She retained her place in the squad during the December window but, again, was an unused substitute for both matches.[37] Clinton made an impressive senior debut on 23 February 2024,[22] starting and scoring within 19 minutes in a 7–2 friendly victory over Austria.[38]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 3 November 2024[16]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Everton 2020–21 Women's Super League 6 0 1 0 2 0 9 0
2021–22 Women's Super League 8 0 1 0 3 1 12 1
Total 14 0 2 0 5 1 21 1
Manchester United 2022–23 Women's Super League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023–24 Women's Super League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024–25 Women's Super League 5 3 0 0 1 0 6 3
Total 5 3 0 0 1 0 6 3
Bristol City (loan) 2022–23 Championship 12 6 2 0 1 0 15 6
Tottenham Hotspur (loan) 2023–24 Women's Super League 20 4 3 0 4 1 27 5
Career total 51 13 7 0 11 2 69 15

International

[edit]
As of match played 29 October 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2024 4 2
Total 4 2
As of match played 29 October 2024
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Clinton goal.
List of international goals scored by Grace Clinton
No. Date Cap Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 23 February 2024 1 Estadio Nuevo Mirador, Algeciras, Spain  Austria 2–0 7–2 Friendly
2 29 October 2024 4 Coventry Arena, Coventry, England  South Africa 2–0 2–1

Honours

[edit]

Bristol City

Tottenham Hotspur

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "WSL could expand - Everton boss Kirk". BBC Sport.
  2. ^ a b c Sanders, Emma (25 October 2023). "How England's 'next superstar' caught Wiegman's eye". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Everton In Strong Position Ahead Of WSL Opener". www.evertonfc.com.
  4. ^ O'Neill, Caoimhe (27 August 2020). "Everton Women cruise to friendly win ahead of season opener". Liverpool Echo.
  5. ^ "Barclays FA WSL report: Aston Villa 0-6 Everton". womenscompetitions.thefa.com.
  6. ^ "Everton 1-3 Manchester City". womenscompetitions.thefa.com.
  7. ^ "Man City win FA Cup after extra time". BBC Sport.
  8. ^ "FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup report: Everton 1 Liverpool 0". womenscompetitions.thefa.com.
  9. ^ Carroll, Sam (18 November 2020). "Everton Women keep Continental Cup hopes alive with win over Liverpool". Liverpool Echo.
  10. ^ "Man Utd Women sign Grace Clinton". www.manutd.com.
  11. ^ "Grace Clinton joins Bristol City on loan". Manchester United.
  12. ^ "Clinton signs for City". Bristol City FC. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Report: Bristol City 3-2 Coventry United". Bristol City FC. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Report: Lewes FC Women 0-1 Bristol City". Bristol City FC. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  15. ^ Hurcom, Sophie (23 April 2023). "Smith 'excited' as Bristol City return to WSL". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  16. ^ a b "G. Clinton - - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Grace Clinton joins Tottenham Hotspur on loan". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Clinton signs on loan". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  19. ^ Rose, Gary (15 October 2023). "Clinton stunner helps Spurs win at Brighton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  20. ^ Miller, Ben (21 October 2023). "Thomas hat-trick gives 'brave' Spurs win at Villa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  21. ^ Drury, Sam (21 January 2024). "Tottenham beat West Ham in seven-goal WSL thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  22. ^ a b Sanders, Emma (24 February 2024). "Clinton's impressive debut but is there still more to come?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Khadija Shaw and Grace Clinton win PFA player of the year awards". BBC Sport. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  24. ^ "United Women 3 West Ham 0". www.manutd.com.
  25. ^ "Grace Clinton Profile". England Football. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  26. ^ Davies, Callum (30 July 2021). "England WU19s beat Czech Republic by 4-1 in Telford". England Football. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  27. ^ "England-Northern Ireland | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  28. ^ "England-Switzerland | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  29. ^ Smith, Frank (17 February 2022). "Goals from Grace Clinton, Elysia Boddy and Freya Gregory help England women's under-19s to victory". England Football. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  30. ^ Davies, Callum (22 June 2022). "WU19s squad named for EUROs". England Football. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  31. ^ "England-Norway | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  32. ^
  33. ^
  34. ^
  35. ^
  36. ^ Sanders, Emma (17 October 2023). "Women's Nations League: Fran Kirby back for England after knee surgery". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  37. ^ "England women's senior squad named to play Netherlands and Scotland". www.englandfootball.com. 21 November 2023.
  38. ^ "Dominant England put five past Austria in friendly". BBC Sport. 23 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Grace Clinton Wins PFA Young Player of The Year". Professional Footballers' Association. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  40. ^ "2023–24 PFA WSL Team of the Year". Professional Footballers' Association. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  41. ^ "All the winners from the City awards dinner". Bristol City FC. 5 May 2023.
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