Clarke Reg “Nobby” Image 2 Exeter City 1934

Description

Heavitree, Exeter, Devon born right half Reg “Nobby” Clarke began his football career with Friernhay in 1925 and played for Southern Railway in 1926 before signing for Exeter City in 1927, making his Football League debut at Newport County in March 1928. Clarke soon established himself in The Grecians’ line up and missed only four matches the following season. In 1931 he was central to Exeter’s FA Cup run which saw them beaten in a quarter final replay at Sunderland having knocked out the likes of Derby County and Leeds United to get there.

He was an ever present in 1932-33 as Exeter City narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing runners up in the Third Division (South), and missed only one match the following season as they finished ninth. Exeter played a benefit match for him against Leicester City in September 1933. He spent in total ten seasons at St James’ Park and remained until the end of the 1936-37 season, whereupon he signed for Aldershot after 21 goals in 349 appearances. He played for  Aldershot until peacetime football was suspended due to the outbreak of the Second World War, by when he had scored 3 goals in 68 appearances for The Shots.

Between 1939 and 1943 he played wartime football as a guest for Torquay United scoring once in 20 appearances, He played once for Leeds United in 1942 and two games for Clapton Orient in 1943, scoring once, He was later a club official with Seaton Town Football Club.