Matthew Clarke
| Date of birth | 18 December 1980 |
| Place of birth | Leeds |
| Nationality | English |
| Weight | 79 kg |
| Height | 1.91 m |
| Position | Defender/Forward |
Whilst with Halifax Town, Matthew spent time on loan with Unibond League clubs Gainsborough Trinity and Frickley Athletic in 2000-01 but, on his return to The Shay, he switched to a role in the centre of defence for the club's reserves.
He performed impressively in his new position and featured regularly in the senior squad in the second half of the campaign.
Matthew scored his first-ever Football League goal when he headed home from a corner in the 3-0 win at Southend United in February 2001.
Matthew, who is the twin brother of his former Halifax colleague Chris Clarke, had his contract at Darlington extended to June 2006 in May 2005.
Matthew joined Bradford City in July 2006 with a two-year contract that was extended to June 2009 in April 2008 and to June 2010 in June 2009.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 01 Jul 1998 | 30 Jun 1999 | |
| Halifax Town | 05 Jul 1999 | 30 Jun 2002 | |
| Gainsborough Trinity | 14 Sep 2000 | 14 Oct 2000 | L |
| Frickley Athletic | 19 Oct 2000 | 19 Nov 2000 | L |
| Blackpool | 08 Apr 2002 | 12 Apr 2002 | T |
| Darlington | 04 Jul 2002 | 30 Jun 2006 | |
| Bradford City | 01 Jul 2006 | 30 Jun 2010 | |
| Darlington | 26 Oct 2006 | 26 Nov 2007 | L |
| Hibernians (Malta) | 19 Jul 2010 |
Club stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | Halifax Town | LDV Vans Trophy | 2 |
||||
| 2000-01 | Halifax Town | League Division 3 | 12 | 7 |
1 |
2
|
|
| 2001-02 | Halifax Town | FA Cup | 3 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Halifax Town | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 |
1
|
|||
| 2001-02 | Halifax Town | League Division 3 | 22 | 9 |
1 |
6
|
1
|
| 2002-03 | Darlington | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Darlington | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Darlington | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Darlington | League Division 3 | 35 | 3 |
3 |
7
|
|
| 2003-04 | Darlington | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2003-04 | Darlington | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2003-04 | Darlington | League Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2003-04 | Darlington | League Division 3 | 44 | 1 |
4 |
5
|
|
| 2004-05 | Darlington | FA Cup | 2 |
1
|
|||
| 2004-05 | Darlington | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2004-05 | Darlington | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2004-05 | Darlington | League Two | 42 | 1 |
3 |
9
|
|
| 2005-06 | Darlington | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Darlington | LDV Vans Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Darlington | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Darlington | League Two | 42 | 1 |
3 |
6
|
2
|
| 2006-07 | Bradford City | FA Cup | 1 |
||||
| 2006-07 | Bradford City | Johnstones Paint Trophy | 1 |
1
|
|||
| 2006-07 | Bradford City | League One | 5 | 3 |
1
|
||
| 2006-07 | Darlington | League Two | 2 | ||||
| 2007-08 | Bradford City | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2007-08 | Bradford City | Johnstones Paint Trophy | 1 | ||||
| 2007-08 | Bradford City | League Two | 15 | 2 |
1 |
3
|
|
| 2008-09 | Bradford City | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2008-09 | Bradford City | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2008-09 | Bradford City | League Two | 42 | 2 |
4
|
1
|
|
| 2009-10 | Bradford City | Johnstones Paint Trophy | 3 |
1
|
|||
| 2009-10 | Bradford City | League Two | 20 | 1 |
1 |
4
|
1
|
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club matches
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 2002 | Cambridge United v Darlington | W | 1-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 13 Aug 2002 | Darlington v Swansea City | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Aug 2002 | Darlington v Oxford United | L | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 24 Aug 2002 | Rochdale v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 27 Aug 2002 | Darlington v Carlisle United | W | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 31 Aug 2002 | Kidderminster Harriers v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 10 Sep 2002 | Huddersfield Town v Darlington | L | 2-0 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 14 Sep 2002 | Hartlepool United v Darlington | L | 4-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Sep 2002 | York City v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 21 Sep 2002 | Darlington v AFC Bournemouth | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 24 Sep 2002 | Darlington v Wrexham | L | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 28 Sep 2002 | Leyton Orient v Darlington | L | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 12 Oct 2002 | Bury v Darlington | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 19 Oct 2002 | Darlington v Boston United | L | 2-3 | League Division 3 | |
| 22 Oct 2002 | Stockport County v Darlington | L | 1-0 | LDV Vans Trophy | 1st round - northern section |
| 26 Oct 2002 | Exeter City v Darlington | W | 0-4 | League Division 3 | |
| 29 Oct 2002 | Darlington v Scunthorpe United | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 02 Nov 2002 | Darlington v Lincoln City | D | 0-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 09 Nov 2002 | Rushden and Diamonds v Darlington | L | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 16 Nov 2002 | Wrexham v Darlington | W | 0-2 | FA Cup | 1st round |
| 30 Nov 2002 | Darlington v Southend United | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 07 Dec 2002 | Darlington v Stevenage Borough | W | 4-1 | FA Cup | 2nd round |
| 14 Dec 2002 | Hull City v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 21 Dec 2002 | Darlington v Macclesfield Town | D | 0-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 26 Dec 2002 | Carlisle United v Darlington | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 28 Dec 2002 | Darlington v Torquay United | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 14 Jan 2003 | Oxford United v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 18 Jan 2003 | Darlington v Kidderminster Harriers | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 25 Jan 2003 | Torquay United v Darlington | L | 3-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 23 Feb 2003 | Wrexham v Darlington | D | 0-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 01 Mar 2003 | Darlington v Hartlepool United | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 04 Mar 2003 | Darlington v York City | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 08 Mar 2003 | AFC Bournemouth v Darlington | L | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 11 Mar 2003 | Darlington v Cambridge United | L | 1-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 15 Mar 2003 | Darlington v Exeter City | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 19 Mar 2003 | Boston United v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 22 Mar 2003 | Scunthorpe United v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 12 Apr 2003 | Darlington v Shrewsbury Town | W | 5-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 19 Apr 2003 | Macclesfield Town v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 21 Apr 2003 | Darlington v Hull City | W | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 26 Apr 2003 | Bristol Rovers v Darlington | L | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 03 May 2003 | Darlington v Leyton Orient | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 09 Aug 2003 | Hull City v Darlington | L | 4-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 12 Aug 2003 | Bradford City v Darlington | W | 0-0 (5-3) | League Cup | 1st round |
| 22 Aug 2003 | Northampton Town v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 25 Aug 2003 | Darlington v Leyton Orient | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 30 Aug 2003 | Rochdale v Darlington | L | 4-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 06 Sep 2003 | Darlington v Carlisle United | W | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 13 Sep 2003 | Darlington v Doncaster Rovers | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 16 Sep 2003 | York City v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 20 Sep 2003 | Torquay United v Darlington | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 23 Sep 2003 | Wolverhampton Wanderers v Darlington | L | 2-0 | League Cup | 2nd round |
| 27 Sep 2003 | Darlington v Boston United | W | 3-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 30 Sep 2003 | Darlington v Southend United | D | 0-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 04 Oct 2003 | Mansfield Town v Darlington | L | 3-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 11 Oct 2003 | Darlington v Bristol Rovers | L | 0-4 | League Division 3 | |
| 14 Oct 2003 | Darlington v Hull City | L | 1-3 | LDV Vans Trophy | 1st round - northern section |
| 18 Oct 2003 | Yeovil Town v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 21 Oct 2003 | Cheltenham Town v Darlington | L | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 25 Oct 2003 | Darlington v Bury | L | 1-3 | League Division 3 | |
| 01 Nov 2003 | Oxford United v Darlington | L | 3-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 09 Nov 2003 | Hornchurch v Darlington | L | 2-0 | FA Cup | 1st round |
| 15 Nov 2003 | Darlington v Lincoln City | D | 0-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 22 Nov 2003 | Swansea City v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 29 Nov 2003 | Darlington v Scunthorpe United | D | 2-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 06 Dec 2003 | Darlington v York City | W | 3-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 13 Dec 2003 | Cambridge United v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 20 Dec 2003 | Darlington v Macclesfield Town | L | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 26 Dec 2003 | Darlington v Huddersfield Town | L | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 28 Dec 2003 | Carlisle United v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 03 Jan 2004 | Leyton Orient v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 10 Jan 2004 | Darlington v Hull City | L | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Jan 2004 | Kidderminster Harriers v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 31 Jan 2004 | Darlington v Rochdale | W | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 07 Feb 2004 | Huddersfield Town v Darlington | W | 0-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 14 Feb 2004 | Bristol Rovers v Darlington | W | 0-3 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Feb 2004 | Darlington v Northampton Town | L | 1-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 21 Feb 2004 | Darlington v Yeovil Town | W | 3-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 28 Feb 2004 | Bury v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 06 Mar 2004 | Macclesfield Town v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 09 Mar 2004 | Darlington v Cheltenham Town | W | 2-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 13 Mar 2004 | Darlington v Cambridge United | L | 3-4 | League Division 3 | |
| 20 Mar 2004 | Doncaster Rovers v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 27 Mar 2004 | Darlington v Torquay United | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 03 Apr 2004 | Boston United v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 10 Apr 2004 | Darlington v Mansfield Town | W | 1-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 12 Apr 2004 | Southend United v Darlington | L | 3-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 17 Apr 2004 | Darlington v Oxford United | W | 2-0 | League Division 3 | |
| 24 Apr 2004 | Lincoln City v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 01 May 2004 | Darlington v Swansea City | L | 1-2 | League Division 3 | |
| 08 May 2004 | Scunthorpe United v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Division 3 | |
| 07 Aug 2004 | Darlington v Grimsby Town | W | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 10 Aug 2004 | Yeovil Town v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 14 Aug 2004 | Kidderminster Harriers v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 21 Aug 2004 | Darlington v Bristol Rovers | L | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 24 Aug 2004 | Darlington v Barnsley | L | 0-2 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 28 Aug 2004 | Chester City v Darlington | W | 0-3 | League Two | |
| 30 Aug 2004 | Darlington v Cambridge United | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 04 Sep 2004 | Darlington v Scunthorpe United | D | 0-0 | League Two | |
| 11 Sep 2004 | Rochdale v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 18 Sep 2004 | Darlington v Northampton Town | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 25 Sep 2004 | Macclesfield Town v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 28 Sep 2004 | Mansfield Town v Darlington | L | 0-0 (3-4) | LDV Vans Trophy | 1st round - northern section |
| 02 Oct 2004 | Darlington v Southend United | W | 4-0 | League Two | |
| 10 Oct 2004 | Oxford United v Darlington | W | 1-2 | League Two | |
| 16 Oct 2004 | Darlington v Bury | L | 1-2 | League Two | |
| 19 Oct 2004 | Notts County v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 30 Oct 2004 | Darlington v Wycombe Wanderers | W | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 06 Nov 2004 | Rushden and Diamonds v Darlington | W | 1-2 | League Two | |
| 13 Nov 2004 | Darlington v Yeovil Town | D | 3-3 | FA Cup | 1st round |
| 17 Nov 2004 | Swansea City v Darlington | L | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 20 Nov 2004 | Darlington v Lincoln City | L | 0-3 | League Two | |
| 23 Nov 2004 | Yeovil Town v Darlington | L | 1-0 | FA Cup | 1st round replay |
| 07 Dec 2004 | Darlington v Mansfield Town | W | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 11 Dec 2004 | Darlington v Leyton Orient | W | 3-0 | League Two | |
| 18 Dec 2004 | Boston United v Darlington | L | 3-1 | League Two | |
| 26 Dec 2004 | Darlington v Rochdale | L | 0-3 | League Two | |
| 28 Dec 2004 | Shrewsbury Town v Darlington | L | 4-0 | League Two | |
| 01 Jan 2005 | Scunthorpe United v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 03 Jan 2005 | Darlington v Macclesfield Town | W | 3-1 | League Two | |
| 08 Jan 2005 | Darlington v Oxford United | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 15 Jan 2005 | Northampton Town v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 22 Jan 2005 | Darlington v Shrewsbury Town | W | 3-0 | League Two | |
| 29 Jan 2005 | Southend United v Darlington | L | 2-0 | League Two | |
| 05 Feb 2005 | Bury v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 12 Feb 2005 | Darlington v Notts County | L | 1-2 | League Two | |
| 19 Feb 2005 | Wycombe Wanderers v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 22 Feb 2005 | Darlington v Swansea City | W | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 26 Feb 2005 | Leyton Orient v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 05 Mar 2005 | Darlington v Boston United | W | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 12 Mar 2005 | Darlington v Yeovil Town | W | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 19 Mar 2005 | Grimsby Town v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 26 Mar 2005 | Darlington v Kidderminster Harriers | L | 0-2 | League Two | |
| 28 Mar 2005 | Bristol Rovers v Darlington | D | 3-3 | League Two | |
| 02 Apr 2005 | Darlington v Chester City | W | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 09 Apr 2005 | Cambridge United v Darlington | L | 3-1 | League Two | |
| 30 Apr 2005 | Lincoln City v Darlington | D | 0-0 | League Two | |
| 07 May 2005 | Darlington v Cheltenham Town | W | 3-1 | League Two | |
| 06 Aug 2005 | Rushden and Diamonds v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 09 Aug 2005 | Darlington v Stockport County | W | 2-0 | League Two | |
| 13 Aug 2005 | Darlington v Leyton Orient | L | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 20 Aug 2005 | Grimsby Town v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 23 Aug 2005 | Hartlepool United v Darlington | L | 3-1 | League Cup | 1st round |
| 27 Aug 2005 | Chester City v Darlington | D | 4-4 | League Two | |
| 29 Aug 2005 | Darlington v Rochdale | W | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 10 Sep 2005 | Mansfield Town v Darlington | D | 2-2 | League Two | |
| 17 Sep 2005 | Darlington v Oxford United | L | 1-2 | League Two | |
| 24 Sep 2005 | Bristol Rovers v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 27 Sep 2005 | Darlington v Boston United | D | 0-0 | League Two | |
| 01 Oct 2005 | Northampton Town v Darlington | D | 0-0 | League Two | |
| 07 Oct 2005 | Darlington v Macclesfield Town | W | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 15 Oct 2005 | Bury v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 18 Oct 2005 | Kidderminster Harriers v Darlington | L | 2-1 | LDV Vans Trophy | 1st round - northern section |
| 22 Oct 2005 | Darlington v Cheltenham Town | W | 3-1 | League Two | |
| 29 Oct 2005 | Wrexham v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 05 Nov 2005 | Barnsley v Darlington | L | 1-0 | FA Cup | 1st round |
| 12 Nov 2005 | Darlington v Wycombe Wanderers | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 19 Nov 2005 | Macclesfield Town v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 26 Nov 2005 | Darlington v Rushden and Diamonds | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 06 Dec 2005 | Shrewsbury Town v Darlington | L | 3-1 | League Two | |
| 10 Dec 2005 | Stockport County v Darlington | W | 0-3 | League Two | |
| 26 Dec 2005 | Carlisle United v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 28 Dec 2005 | Darlington v Barnet | W | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 31 Dec 2005 | Lincoln City v Darlington | D | 2-2 | League Two | |
| 02 Jan 2006 | Darlington v Torquay United | W | 3-2 | League Two | |
| 07 Jan 2006 | Notts County v Darlington | L | 3-2 | League Two | |
| 14 Jan 2006 | Darlington v Peterborough United | W | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 17 Jan 2006 | Darlington v Grimsby Town | D | 0-0 | League Two | |
| 21 Jan 2006 | Oxford United v Darlington | W | 0-2 | League Two | |
| 28 Jan 2006 | Darlington v Mansfield Town | W | 4-0 | League Two | |
| 04 Feb 2006 | Boston United v Darlington | D | 0-0 | League Two | |
| 11 Feb 2006 | Darlington v Bristol Rovers | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 14 Feb 2006 | Peterborough United v Darlington | L | 2-1 | League Two | |
| 18 Feb 2006 | Darlington v Shrewsbury Town | L | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 11 Mar 2006 | Darlington v Chester City | W | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 18 Mar 2006 | Darlington v Carlisle United | L | 0-5 | League Two | |
| 25 Mar 2006 | Barnet v Darlington | L | 1-0 | League Two | |
| 01 Apr 2006 | Darlington v Lincoln City | W | 4-2 | League Two | |
| 04 Apr 2006 | Rochdale v Darlington | W | 0-2 | League Two | |
| 08 Apr 2006 | Torquay United v Darlington | W | 1-2 | League Two | |
| 15 Apr 2006 | Darlington v Northampton Town | L | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 17 Apr 2006 | Cheltenham Town v Darlington | D | 1-1 | League Two | |
| 22 Apr 2006 | Darlington v Bury | L | 2-3 | League Two | |
| 29 Apr 2006 | Wycombe Wanderers v Darlington | W | 0-1 | League Two | |
| 28 Oct 2006 | Hartlepool United v Darlington | D | 0-0 | League Two | |
| 03 Nov 2006 | Darlington v Chester City | W | 1-0 | League Two | |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.