This week in the Wembley reminiscence takes a look at right back Ian Clarkson, one of a group of Birmingham born players led by Ian Atkins to playoff glory!
Clarkson typified the honest professional set-up that was the Atkins era at Northampton Town. As part of the back five, his professionalism and work rate helped the club to Wembley in just his first season with us. Unfortunately his time with the Cobblers was cut short after he suffered a broken leg but Clarkson managed to defy the odds to make a playing return to the football league and extended his career.
Born in Birmingham in December 1970, Clarkson was taken on by his hometown club Birmingham City at the age of 18 and lived the dream of playing for his boyhood team. At the tender age of 20, Clarkson had the honour of captaining the Blues and remained with the St Andrews club until September 1993, where he was sold to Stoke City for £40,000. Playing just under 100 games over three seasons for The Potters, he was then snapped up Ian Atkins in time for the start of the 1996/97 season.
Clarkson was a pivotal part in the promotion winning side and played the full 90 minutes of the glorious final, won by fellow Brummie John Frain. Following the first Wembley victory, Clarkson helped the side to return to the twin towers the following season as we were beaten by Grimsby and again played a full part in the day. At the start of the 1999/2000 season, with the Cobblers back in the basement division, Clarkson suffered a horrific broken leg during a game with Lincoln City and was told that he would never play in league football again.
It’s a testament to the character of the man that he didn’t give up on his playing career and went to train with non-league Kidderminster Harriers before signing a deal with them in November 1990. After Harriers were promoted at the end of Clarkson’s first season with them, the club paid out for a knee operation so that he could join them in the football league.
After a couple of seasons in the league, Clarkson returned to non-league football with Nuneaton Borough and rounded off his career at Manor Park.
These days, Clarkson can be found in the journalism world writing for the Sunday Mercury newspaper and the PFA website.
Clarkson typified the honest professional set-up that was the Atkins era at Northampton Town. As part of the back five, his professionalism and work rate helped the club to Wembley in just his first season with us. Unfortunately his time with the Cobblers was cut short after he suffered a broken leg but Clarkson managed to defy the odds to make a playing return to the football league and extended his career.
Born in Birmingham in December 1970, Clarkson was taken on by his hometown club Birmingham City at the age of 18 and lived the dream of playing for his boyhood team. At the tender age of 20, Clarkson had the honour of captaining the Blues and remained with the St Andrews club until September 1993, where he was sold to Stoke City for £40,000. Playing just under 100 games over three seasons for The Potters, he was then snapped up Ian Atkins in time for the start of the 1996/97 season.
Clarkson was a pivotal part in the promotion winning side and played the full 90 minutes of the glorious final, won by fellow Brummie John Frain. Following the first Wembley victory, Clarkson helped the side to return to the twin towers the following season as we were beaten by Grimsby and again played a full part in the day. At the start of the 1999/2000 season, with the Cobblers back in the basement division, Clarkson suffered a horrific broken leg during a game with Lincoln City and was told that he would never play in league football again.
It’s a testament to the character of the man that he didn’t give up on his playing career and went to train with non-league Kidderminster Harriers before signing a deal with them in November 1990. After Harriers were promoted at the end of Clarkson’s first season with them, the club paid out for a knee operation so that he could join them in the football league.
After a couple of seasons in the league, Clarkson returned to non-league football with Nuneaton Borough and rounded off his career at Manor Park.
These days, Clarkson can be found in the journalism world writing for the Sunday Mercury newspaper and the PFA website.
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