Jeff Clarke

[stacks]

Jeff Clarke's career with Canada sure went on a downhill after the gold cup win. Why?

[nolando]

Some may laugh but I think Clarke's career in general hit a big, final turning point when he missed the last penalty in the home leg of last year's semifinal versus Seattle. I think it would have been a personal boost and a moral victory if he had hit it, but the miss sealed his fate in my own mind (and I think at the heart of his confidence) as just another A-Leaguer with an interesting former international career.

[Winnipeg Fury]

It went downhill because he gave up on Europe and decided to stay at home playing A-League and indoor.

[Andrew W]

Is there truth or just rumour to the story that Holger pursuaded him to leave Ireland?

[Marc]

Truth. I think this is his story (correct me if I'm wrong):

Jeff played for Irish champions St. Pat's for about two years (sometimes a regular, sometimes a sub.) He went and signed for 3rd Div Darlington (England, at the time had a rich owner) but had his work permit rejected. The owner had a good quote along the lines of 'Canadians were good enoguh to fight alongside us in WWII, but not to play alongside us today?' (Or something to that effect.)

So he went to Ireland and signed for Longford Town, but they were a small semi-pro team (recently promoted from 2nd tier). Holger told him to find a pro league, so he left, and never did find anything better.

I've always thought he had an interesting story. He's trialed in Austria, spent some time in Belgium, and ditched a trial in Denmark to go to the Confederations Cup (very last minute call-up) only to not play a game. (I believe it was the Confed Cup, might be wrong.)

He was one of the first Canadian players I followed as a new fan. I wrote him for his autograph when he was at St. Pat's and he was kind enough to write a full fledged letter back. Left an impression to this day.

[An Observer]

Clarke also had signed with West Ham as a youth but then had his work permit turned down. Its a shame as I always thought he had what it takes to play at a much higher level. He is one of those players that certainly would have benefited from Canada having a few teams in the MLS.

[MikeD]

Just thought I'd add that he captained the U-23 team that finished 4th in the Pan Am games in Winnipeg and made it to the final round of qualifying for the Sydney Olympics. That generation of U-23s included Lars Hirschfeld, Paul Stalteri, Kevin McKenna, Richard Hastings, Jim Brennan, Dwayne DeRosario, Jason Bent and Daniel Imhoff (a late addition to the squad by Bruce Twamley). All of them except Imhoff and (I think) Hirchfeld were on the U-20 team that made it to the second round of the World Championships in '97. Clarke was their captain. I think that says something.

Perhaps, with the trail that others have blazed into Scandinavia, he may still have a future in overseas. Remember that defenders don't usually hit their peak until their late twenties.

[An Observer]

I think Brennan was on the side that played in the U-20 qualifiers but not the team that went to Malaysia. Marco Reda was also on that team. Bircham is of the same age group but didn't play for Canada until the U-23 level. Mike Franks was the number one keeper. And McKenna was really too young for the U-20 side but played for the U-23's as he matured quickly.