Description
Newcastle born inside forward Joe McClarence started his football career with Wallsend Park Villa before joining hometown First Division Newcastle United in May 1904, for whom he made his Football League debut against Blackburn Rovers the same December, scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory at St James’ Park. Over four seasons at Newcastle his opportunities were distinctly limited, and he played only a handful of games in each of their League Championship victories of 1905 and 1907, similarly playing no or virtually no part in their Cup runs that saw them as beaten finalists in 1905 and 1906.
After 13 goals in 32 appearances for The Toon he joined Bolton Wanderers in March 1908, but he couldn’t help them avoid relegation from the First Division in May, and in November 1908 he joined Bradford Park Avenue after 6 goals in 15 appearances. He had a useful goalscoring record over three seasons at The Avenue, scoring 33 goals in 68 appearances, the highlight of which was 4 goals in a 6-0 win over Glossop on Boxing Day 1910. In the summer of 1911 he joined Irish League club Belfast Distillery, where he finished his career.
This photograph is grafted from the 1907-08 Newcastle United team photograph, please see the linked image.