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Nicky Clark
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Nicholas Alexander McCormack Clark (born 3 June 1991) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Championship club Ross County. Clark is the son of the former Airdrieonians, Hearts, Rangers and West Ham striker Sandy Clark.[3]
Key Information
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Clark began his career with the youth team of Rangers but was released at 15 and joined Aberdeen.[4] He appeared as an unused substitute during the 2008–09 season and in early 2009, Clark signed a contract extension with the club.[5]
Peterhead
[edit]To gain first team experience, Clark joined Peterhead on loan until January.[6] Clark made his debut for the club on 19 September 2009, where he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute as Peterhead drew 1–1 with Arbroath.[7] Clark's loan spell with Peterhead was extended until the end of the 2009–10 season.[8] In the 2009–10 season, Clark would make twenty-five appearances and score four times. Clark, along with Jonathan Crawford, was released by the club after being told they wouldn't be offered a new contract.[9]
After being released by Aberdeen, Clark joined Peterhead permanently in August 2010.[10] Like his loan spell, Clark continued to be a first team regular for the club, where he made twenty-nine appearances and scored four times.
Queen of the South
[edit]He moved to Queen of the South in July 2011,[11] signing a one-year contract extension in May 2012.[12] The first season with Queen of the South was a struggle for Clark, as he failed to score his first goal, though it eventually happened in the second round of Scottish League Cup against Forfar Athletic.[13]
The 2012–13 season was an improvement and breakthrough season for Clark after his dad, Sandy, joined the club as an assistant manager[14] and he formed a striking partnership with Derek Lyle.[15] Clark would score 41 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions, including scoring two hat-tricks against Stranraer[16] and Forfar Athletic.[17] Clark also played a role in winning the Challenge Cup Final when he scored the opener before Partick Thistle equalised, leading to a penalty shootout. Queen of the South would win the penalty shootout 6–5 to lift the cup.[18] With the club also winning the Second Division, this gained the club their inaugural league and cup double.
Clark was the SFL Division 2 Player of the Year for the 2012–13 season,[19] and he also won the Ginger Boot Award for being the top scorer across all four Scottish divisions.[20] Clark was also named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the Second Division alongside team-mates Chris Mitchell, Mark Durnan, Chris Higgins, Daniel Carmichael and Lee Robinson.[21]
Rangers
[edit]In May 2013 he signed a three-year contract with Rangers, effective from 1 September 2013.[22][23] The move was successful after Clark started talks with Ally McCoist.[24] Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Clark expressed the opinion that playing in the Scottish League One would not be easy.[25]
Clark scored on his debut on 31 August 2013 after 30 seconds, as Rangers won 5–0 against East Fife, just one day before the end of the club's transfer embargo.[26] After the match, Clark said he believed the club could score 100 goals by the end of the season after scoring 18 goals at such an early stage.[27] Clark initially struggled to make an impact, as he was often on the bench. This led to the Evening Times questioning whether Clark should become a first team starter.[28] This continued until he scored four goals in a 6–1 win over Forfar Athletic on 3 December 2013.[29] In the second half of the season, Clark suffered a broken foot that kept him out for five weeks.[30] After his return, Clark scored in a 2–1 win over Brechin City on 23 March 2014.[31]
On 3 May, Rangers became the first side in 116 years to go an entire league season unbeaten after a 1–1 draw with Dunfermline during which they clinched the Scottish League One championship. On 28 December 2015, Clark scored in the 65th minute in a crucial match against Hibernian, which put Rangers three points clear of Hibs.[32]
On 23 May 2016, Clark was released by Rangers.[33]
Bury
[edit]On 25 June 2016, Clark signed for Football League One side Bury on a two-year deal.[34] Clark made his debut for Bury in a 2–0 victory over Charlton on 6 August 2016.[35] However, after Bury signed James Vaughan from Birmingham City, Clark was deemed surplus to requirement and allowed to leave Gigg Lane, having made only four competitive appearances.[36]
Dunfermline Athletic
[edit]Clark returned to Scotland after two months in England, signing for Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic in August 2016 on a two-year deal.[37] His move to the Pars saw Clark team up with his former manager at Queen of the South, Allan Johnston, as well as his father Sandy Clark who was also assistant to Johnston at the Doonhamers. Clark spent two seasons with the Pars, finishing top goalscorer for the club in both seasons, scoring 16 goals in his first and 21 goals in his second.
Dundee United
[edit]On 23 May 2018, after opting not to extend his contract with Dunfermline Athletic, Clark joined fellow Scottish Championship club Dundee United on a two-year contract.[38] In his first season, he scored 15 goals in 36 competitive first team games.[39]
During the 2019–20 season Clark played in a deeper role in the side.[40] He signed an extended contract in January 2020, despite having suffered an ankle injury that required surgery.[40]
On 14 January 2021, Clark signed a new contract with Dundee United, keeping him at the club until 2023.[41]
St Johnstone
[edit]On 31 August 2022, Clark signed for St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee.[42][43]
Personal life
[edit]Clark was born in Bellshill and his father is the former Airdrieonians, Heart of Midlothian and Rangers striker, Sandy Clark.[11]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 28 February 2024[39]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Aberdeen | 2009–10[44] | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Peterhead (loan) | 2009–10[44][45] | Scottish Second Division | 23 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 4 |
| Peterhead | 2010–11[46][45] | Scottish Second Division | 24 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 29 | 4 |
| Queen of the South | 2011–12[47] | Scottish First Division | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1[a] | 0 | 36 | 1 |
| 2012–13[48][45] | Scottish Second Division | 36 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5[a] | 4 | 46 | 41 | |
| Total | 66 | 32 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 82 | 42 | ||
| Rangers | 2013–14[49][45] | Scottish League One | 23 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 30 | 9 |
| 2014–15[50] | Scottish Championship | 33 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8[b] | 1 | 45 | 9 | |
| 2015–16[51] | Scottish Championship | 22 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4[a] | 2 | 32 | 6 | |
| Total | 78 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 107 | 24 | ||
| Bury | 2016–17[52] | League One | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 2016–17[52] | Scottish Championship | 30 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 37 | 16 |
| 2017–18[53] | Scottish Championship | 32 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4[c] | 2 | 41 | 21 | |
| Total | 62 | 29 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 78 | 37 | ||
| Dundee United | 2018–19[54] | Scottish Championship | 25 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4[d] | 2 | 36 | 15 |
| 2019–20[55] | Scottish Championship | 18 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 22 | 7 | |
| 2020–21[56] | Scottish Premiership | 31 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 11 | |
| 2021–22[57] | Scottish Premiership | 37 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 10 | |
| 2022–23[57] | Scottish Premiership | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 114 | 31 | 10 | 3 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 146 | 43 | ||
| St Johnstone | 2022-23[58] | Scottish Premiership | 20 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 |
| 2023–24[59] | Scottish Premiership | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 | |
| Total | 32 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 9 | ||
| Career total | 402 | 128 | 36 | 8 | 32 | 16 | 35 | 11 | 505 | 163 | ||
- ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
- ^ Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and six appearances and one goal in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
- ^ Two appearances and two goals in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
- ^ Appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
Honours
[edit]Queen of the South
Rangers
- Scottish Championship: 2015–16
- Scottish League One: 2013–14
- Scottish Challenge Cup: 2015–16[60]
Dundee United
- Scottish Championship: 2019–20
References
[edit]- ^ A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18. 7. John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine. 2018.
- ^ "Nicky Clark". dundeeunitedfc.co.uk. Dundee United F.C. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ "Like Father, Like Son (Nicky and Sandy Clark)". Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- ^ "Eleven the dream, Nicky Clark fulfils a lifelong ambition by joining Rangers". Daily Record. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Dons midfielder Derek Young agrees new Pittodrie deal". Daily Record. 17 February 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Dons' Clark on loan to Peterhead". BBC Sport. 15 September 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Match Report – Division Two: Peterhead 3 Stirling Albion 2". Daily Record. 2 November 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Players commit to the Balmoor cause". Bunchan Observer. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Dons duo moving on". Sky Sports. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Peterhead sign Nicky Clark". Scottish Football League. 19 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Two more signings". Queen of the South F.C. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ Craig Robertson (30 May 2012). "Queens squad boosted by familiar faces". Dumfries and Galloway Standard. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Scottish Communities League Cup: Queen of the South 3 Forfar 0". Daily Record. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Queen of the South assistant Sandy Clark eager to get new era underway at Palmerston". Daily Record. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Nick of time: Lyle eyes deadly partnership with Clark". Daily Record. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "QoS 4 Stranraer 1: Nicky Clark treble sends Queens nine-points clear". Daily Record. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Match Report: Forfar Athletic 0 – 4 Queen of the South". Queens of the South Official Website. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Queen of The South 1 – 1 Partrick (6–5 pens)". BBC Sport. 7 April 2013.
- ^ "Queens Duo Scoop Another Double at PFA Awards". Queen of the South F.C. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Irn Bru Phenomenal End of Season Awards". Queen of the South F.C. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "PFA Scotland Team of the Year includes four from both Celtic and Motherwell". STV. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ^ "Clark Agrees Three-Year Deal". Rangers F.C. 28 May 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Nicky Clark: Rangers agree deal to sign Queen of the South striker". BBC Sport. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Transfer News: Nicky Clark confirms talks about possible move to Rangers". Sky Sports. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Rangers striker Nicky Clark: I know the second division... it's not going to be easy". Daily Record. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Rangers 5 East Fife 0: Lee McCulloch scores a hat-trick as Rangers romp home against the Fifers". Daily Record. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ McDermott, Scott (1 September 2013). "Nicky Clark nets on Rangers debut and then claims his side can hit 100 goals this season". Daily Record. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Should Nicky Clark be a starter for Rangers?". Evening Times. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Rangers 6 Forfar 1: Rampant Rangers set new post-war club record by bagging 19th consecutive win in style and hitting Forfar for six". Daily Record. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Clark set to miss out with hurt foot". Evening Times. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Brechin 1 Rangers 2: workmanlike Gers continue 34-game unbeaten run". Evening Times. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ Murray, Ewen (28 December 2015). "Ten-man Rangers go top in their own right after beating Hibernian 4-2". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ "Nicky Clark released as Rangers begin their summer squad reshuffle". STV Sport.
- ^ "CONFIRMED: Clark links up with Clarke & Clarke".
- ^ "Bury 2 – 0 Charlton Athletic". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ "CONFIRMED: Nicky Clark moves on". Bury FC. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ "Nicky Clark signs for DAFC". Dunfermline Athletic FC. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ "Clark strikes United deal". Dundee United FC. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ a b Nicky Clark on Soccerbase
- ^ a b "Nicky Clark: New deal for Dundee United striker despite season-ending injury". BBC Sport. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ Woodger, Calum (14 January 2021). "Nicky Clark signs two-year contract extension at Dundee United after Dundee interest". thecourier.co.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ Gallagher, Matthew (31 August 2022). "New striker Nicky Clark on feeling wanted at St Johnstone and his "brilliant" McDiarmid memories". Daily Record.
- ^ "Nicky Clarke: Striker joins St Johnstone from Dundee United". BBC Sport. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d Nicky Clark at Soccerway. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Nicky Clark in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ English, Tom (10 April 2016). "Rangers 4–0 Peterhead". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
External links
[edit]- Nicky Clark at Soccerbase
Nicky Clark
View on GrokipediaEarly life and youth career
Early life and family
Nicky Clark was born on 3 June 1991 in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.[11][12] He grew up in a family deeply connected to professional football through his father, Sandy Clark, a former striker who played for several Scottish and English clubs, including Airdrieonians, Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, and West Ham United.[13][14] Sandy Clark later transitioned into management, leading teams such as Partick Thistle, Heart of Midlothian, Hamilton Academical, St Johnstone, and Queen of the South, where he achieved notable success including a league title and the Ramsdens Cup.[15] As a child, Nicky was exposed to the sport through his father's career, including being pictured celebrating with the St Johnstone squad in 1999 after they qualified for European competition under Sandy's management.[16] He has an older brother, Gary, who works as a pilot and is not involved in professional football.[17]Youth career
Nicky Clark joined the Rangers youth academy at the age of 11, having previously played for Murieston Boys' Club.[18] He progressed through the club's age-group teams over the next four years, developing as a forward alongside several teammates from his early club.[18] In 2006, at the age of 15, Clark was released by Rangers primarily due to concerns over his diminutive stature at the time.[19] Shortly thereafter, he transferred to the Aberdeen youth academy, where he continued his football education and adapted to the demands of a professional setup.[3] Clark signed his first professional contract with Aberdeen in 2009, shortly after turning 18.[12] During his time in the Aberdeen youth system, he featured in under-19 matches but did not record any standout individual achievements before being released by the club in 2010, concluding his youth career phase.[20]Club career
Peterhead
Nicky Clark joined Peterhead on a one-month loan from Aberdeen in September 2009, arranged by manager Neale Cooper, who had previously coached at Aberdeen.[21] Following his youth career at Aberdeen, where his father Sandy Clark served as a coach, the move provided Clark with his first senior professional experience in the Scottish Second Division.[21] Clark made his senior debut for Peterhead on 19 September 2009, substituting in the 74th minute during a 1–1 draw away to Arbroath.[22] His first senior goal came just over a month later, on 31 October 2009, when he scored in the 39th minute to put Peterhead 3–1 ahead in a 3–2 home league victory over Stirling Albion. In August 2010, after returning to Aberdeen at the end of his initial loan, Clark signed a permanent two-year contract with Peterhead, securing his place in the squad through the 2011–12 season.[23] Over his two seasons at the club from 2009 to 2011, Clark established himself as a promising young striker, making 54 appearances and scoring 8 goals across all competitions.[24]Queen of the South
Nicky Clark joined Queen of the South from Peterhead in July 2011 on an initial one-year contract, later extended by 12 months in May 2012.[25][18] His father, Sandy Clark, served as assistant manager at the club during this period.[26] In his debut 2011–12 season in the Scottish Second Division, Clark made 36 league appearances but struggled for goals, scoring just once as Queen of the South finished fourth and entered the promotion playoffs, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Hamilton Academical.[27] Clark's form exploded in the 2012–13 season, where he emerged as one of Scottish football's most prolific strikers, netting 41 goals across 46 appearances in all competitions, including 32 in the league.[26][27] His scoring helped Queen of the South secure the Second Division title and direct promotion to the First Division. Clark also played a pivotal role in the Scottish Challenge Cup, scoring the winner in extra time during the 2013 final against Partick Thistle, heading in the rebound after Danny Carmichael's shot hit the bar, before Queen of the South triumphed 6–5 on penalties for their first major trophy.[28] His outstanding campaign earned Clark the IRN-BRU SFL Phenomenal Division Two Player of the Month award for November 2012, after scoring six goals that month, and the SFL Second Division Player of the Season honor, with 41 goals overall.[29][30] Over two seasons at Palmerston Park, Clark made 82 appearances and scored 42 goals in all competitions.[27] He departed in May 2013, agreeing to a pre-contract with Rangers ahead of their return to the third tier.[26]Rangers
Nicky Clark joined Rangers on a pre-contract agreement in May 2013, following an impressive goal-scoring record at Queen of the South, before officially signing a three-year contract in July.[3] The move fulfilled a childhood ambition for the forward, who had previously been released by the club as a youth player.[6] In the 2013–14 season, Clark made 30 appearances across all competitions, scoring 9 goals as Rangers secured the Scottish League One title with a record 103 points and an unbeaten league campaign.[31] He marked his competitive debut with a goal after just 30 seconds in a 5–0 League Cup win over East Fife on 31 August 2013, setting the tone for his integration into the squad during the club's third-tier reconstruction under manager Ally McCoist.[32] Clark's contributions included key strikes in league matches, helping Rangers clinch promotion back to the second tier at the first attempt.[33] Clark featured in the Scottish Challenge Cup final against Raith Rovers on 6 April 2014, starting as part of the forward line in Rangers' 1–0 extra-time defeat at Easter Road.[34] Despite the loss, his performances throughout the season established him as a reliable option in attack amid the intense competition for places, with discussions around his long-term future at Ibrox reflecting his growing importance.[35] In the 2014–15 season, Clark continued as a squad player in the Scottish Championship, making 33 appearances and scoring 8 goals across all competitions, contributing to Rangers' title win and promotion to the Premiership.[36] His role diminished somewhat in the 2015–16 Premiership season amid increased competition, where he featured in 22 matches and netted 2 goals, helping the team finish third.[36] Over his three years at Rangers, Clark amassed 107 appearances and 24 goals in all competitions.[37]Bury
Clark signed for Bury on a two-year contract on 25 June 2016, following his release from Rangers. The free transfer brought the Scottish forward to English League One, where he aimed to revive his career after a challenging spell at Ibrox.[38] Clark made his Bury debut in the opening league match of the 2016–17 season, starting in a 2–0 victory over Charlton Athletic on 6 August 2016. He featured in three competitive appearances overall, including one start in the league and a substitute role in the EFL Cup, but failed to score or provide assists, totaling 135 minutes played. His limited involvement highlighted adaptation difficulties in the English game, compounded by the arrival of new signings like James Vaughan, which reduced his opportunities.[39][40] Despite an initial promising start, Clark's form did not take off, and personal reasons led him to seek a departure. Bury agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent on 31 August 2016, ending his brief English stint after just two months. Across all competitions, he recorded 3 appearances and 0 goals, underscoring the challenges of his cross-border transition.[41][42]Dunfermline Athletic
After his release from Bury, Nicky Clark returned to Scotland and signed a two-year contract with Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic on 31 August 2016.[43] In the 2016–17 season, Clark quickly established himself as a key attacking threat, scoring 16 goals in all competitions to finish as the club's top scorer and help Dunfermline secure a comfortable fifth-place finish with 48 points, ensuring their survival in the second tier.[44] His prolific form marked a significant resurgence compared to his limited opportunities in England, with notable performances including a four-goal haul in a 5–1 league win over Dumbarton in March 2017.[43] The following 2017–18 campaign saw Clark maintain his scoring consistency, netting 21 goals across all competitions and once again leading the Pars' attack as they finished fourth in the Championship with 59 points.[45] This position earned a spot in the end-of-season promotion playoffs, where Dunfermline advanced past Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the quarter-finals but were eliminated 4–1 on aggregate by Dundee United in the semi-finals.[46] Over two seasons, Clark made 78 league appearances for Dunfermline, scoring 37 goals and contributing to a period of stability and competitiveness in the Scottish second tier.[47] He departed the club at the end of the 2017–18 season, joining rivals Dundee United on a free transfer and agreeing a two-year deal under freedom of contract.[48]Dundee United
Nicky Clark joined Dundee United from Dunfermline Athletic on 23 May 2018, signing a two-year contract on a free transfer following the expiry of his previous deal.[48] His prolific form at Dunfermline, where he scored 21 goals in 43 appearances during the 2017–18 season, made him a key addition to bolster the attack as the club aimed to return to the Scottish Premiership.[27] In his debut 2018–19 season, Clark adapted quickly, scoring 15 goals across 36 appearances in all competitions despite Dundee United finishing fourth in the Scottish Championship and losing in the Premiership play-off semi-finals to St Mirren.[27] The following 2019–20 campaign saw him transition to a deeper playmaker role, contributing 7 goals in 18 appearances before suffering a broken ankle in January 2020 that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.[49] With the season curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dundee United were declared champions and promoted to the Premiership without playoffs, marking Clark's first sustained top-flight opportunity after years in lower divisions. Clark signed a two-year contract extension in January 2021, committing to the club until 2023 despite his ongoing injury recovery.[50] He returned strongly in the 2020–21 Premiership season, scoring 9 goals in 36 appearances as Dundee United finished ninth, safely above the relegation play-off spot in a tightly contested bottom half.[27] The 2021–22 season presented further challenges, with the team embroiled in a relegation scrap until the final matches; Clark netted 10 goals in 46 appearances, including crucial strikes in late wins against Ross County and Partick Thistle that helped secure a 10th-place finish.[27][51] Over his four seasons at Dundee United from 2018 to 2022, Clark made 145 appearances and scored 43 goals in all competitions, establishing himself as a reliable top-flight forward and reaching a career peak in consistent Premiership exposure.[52]St Johnstone
Nicky Clark joined St Johnstone from Dundee United on 31 August 2022 for an undisclosed fee, signing an initial two-year contract.[10] His prior experience in the Scottish Premiership with Dundee United aided a swift adaptation to the club.[53] In his debut season of 2022–23, Clark made 20 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, scoring 4 goals, while also featuring once in the Scottish Cup.[36] The following 2023–24 campaign saw him contribute 7 goals across 21 matches, including in the Premiership and cups.[36] During the 2024–25 season, he added 6 goals in 29 appearances before departing.[36] Over his three years at the club, Clark amassed 76 appearances and 17 goals in all competitions.[54] Clark took on a mentorship role with St Johnstone's younger forwards, including Benji Kimpioka, Adama Sidibeh, and Makenzie Kirk, providing guidance on professional development during the 2024–25 season.[55] Following the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 season, Clark was released by St Johnstone in May 2025.[5]Ross County
In July 2025, Nicky Clark signed a one-year contract with Ross County as a free agent at the age of 34, following his departure from St Johnstone.[5][11] The move brought an experienced centre-forward to a squad newly relegated to the Scottish Championship, where Clark was expected to leverage his goal-scoring pedigree to aid the club's promotion push.[56][57] Clark's motivations for the transfer centered on securing continued competitive football at a club he viewed as the right fit for a swift return to form, emphasizing the opportunity to contribute immediately in a familiar Scottish environment.[58] His prior experience at St Johnstone offered the tactical stability needed to integrate quickly into Ross County's attacking setup.[57] In the early stages of the 2025–26 season, Clark featured in 11 matches across all competitions for Ross County as of November 2025, including 8 in the Championship and 3 in the Scottish League Cup, though he has yet to score or provide assists, accumulating 393 minutes on the pitch.[52] His market value stands at approximately €150,000, reflecting his veteran status in the Scottish game.[11] Clark's contract remains active through May 2026, with no reported extensions or changes as of November 2025.[11]Personal life
Family
Nicky Clark was born into a prominent footballing family in Bellshill, Scotland. His father, Sandy Clark, enjoyed a successful playing career as a striker for clubs including Rangers, Hearts, and Partick Thistle, and was awarded the Scottish PFA Player of the Year in 1982.[59] After retiring from playing, Sandy Clark moved into coaching and management, notably serving as assistant manager at Queen of the South from 2012 to 2013, coinciding with Nicky's time as a key striker for the club, during which he provided guidance on his son's professional development.[60][61] As of 2025, Sandy continues his involvement in football as manager of Albion Rovers in the Scottish Lowland Football League, maintaining an ongoing influence on the sport.[62] Nicky has one sibling, an older brother named Gary Clark, who works as a pilot in the Royal Navy.[63] No information is publicly available regarding Nicky Clark having children as of 2025.Private life
Clark has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Gillian, a physiotherapist at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.[64] In April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he expressed public pride in her frontline work on a coronavirus ward at the hospital, noting her dedication during the crisis.[64][65] He has resided primarily in Scotland throughout his career, based in the Dundee area, with a brief stint in England during his time at Bury in 2016. In November 2024, Clark experienced a minor public incident when his luxury car was stolen from his Dundee driveway but was recovered by police later that day; he appealed for information via social media in a light-hearted manner.[66][67] Clark maintains a low public profile regarding his personal life, with limited media exposure beyond occasional family-related mentions during career challenges.[64]Career statistics and achievements
Career statistics
Nicky Clark has made over 550 professional appearances, scoring more than 170 goals and providing around 50 assists across all competitions as of November 2025.[40][36] The following table summarizes his career statistics by club, including all competitions (domestic leagues, cups, European matches, and play-offs where applicable). Data includes loans, such as his brief spell at Bury in 2016. Detailed season-by-season breakdowns are aggregated into club totals for conciseness; individual seasonal figures vary by competition but contribute to these overalls.[68]| Club | Years Active | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peterhead FC | 2009–2011 | 54 | 8 | 2 |
| Queen of the South FC | 2011–2013 | 82 | 42 | 17 |
| Rangers FC | 2013–2016 | 107 | 24 | 10 |
| Bury FC (loan) | 2016 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dunfermline Athletic FC | 2016–2018 | 94 | 33 | 12 |
| Dundee United FC | 2018–2022 | 157 | 46 | 15 |
| St Johnstone FC | 2022–2025 | 80 | 20 | 8 |
| Ross County FC | 2025– | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Total | 2009–2025 | 588 | 173 | 64 |
