In our new series at Everything Orient, we take a look at ex-Orient players and see where their careers have taken them since their departure from Brisbane Road.
Nathan Clarke’s career to date has seen him make 464 appearances for eight teams scoring 12 goals (not bad for a centre back!). His career honours include winning the third division play-off’s for Huddersfield in 2003/04.
Clarke started his career at Huddersfield debuting and scoring his first goal aged just 17 and that season went on to feature in 37 games. He remained at Huddersfield Town for 11 years gaining 266 league appearances and scoring 8 goals. He was named their vice-captain at the age of just 21 and the following year went onto win the fans player of year and players player of the year.
Unfortunately he fell out of favour under Lee Clark, and the 2010/11 season was the start of a number of loan periods for the player. Firstly to Colchester United and the following season he was loaned out to Oldham Athletic where he scored on his debut and played in 16 games. After returning to Huddersfield Town briefly, he went on loan to Bury for the remainder of season playing 11 games and helping Bury avoid relegation to League 2.
After almost 20 years at the club he supported as a boy, he left Huddersfield Town and joined Leyton Orient in the summer of 2012 on a free transfer, signing a two year contract. Then manager Russell Slade soon made him Captain, realising his potential. In February 2014 he signed a contract extension and went onto score his first goal for the club in March against Port Vale in a 2-0 away win. He later helped Orient to the play-offs final that season, which they subsequently lost to Rotherham United on penalties.
He made a total of 113 league appearances for the O’s, scoring two goals. He was a prominent player and vocal leader for us and one first names on the team sheet. He was always shouting and I often thought he had a rather squeaky voice for a northern man! But clearly this worked, as is evident in his many clean sheets in the three years for the club.
Since leaving Orient in 2015, Clarke does not appear to have found his feet which has resulted in numerous moves. Initially he signed for Bradford City on a one year contract, which later got extended for a further year, playing 25 games. He signed for Coventry City in January 2017, rejoining his former boss Russell Slade, who was quoted saying ‘Nathan has got vast experience, particularly at League One level and I have worked well with him in the past.’ In June 2017 in joined Grimsby Town, again under Slade, on a one year contract and has played 7 games so far, scoring once.
Given Slade has recently departed Grimsby the future maybe unclear for Clarke, now 33, as it would appear that he thrives under stability which has lacked since his departure from the O’s. Nevertheless, he was a great captain for Leyton Orient and I wish him success for the future.
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