Clay Harry Image 1 Bristol City 1907

Description

Kimberley, Nottinghamshire born goalkeeper Harry Clay started his football career in 1900 with local junior club Kimberley St John’s before being spotted by Bristol City manager Sam Hollis, joining the Second Division club in November 1901, making his Football League debut against Chesterfield Town that December, whereafter he made 23 appearances as City finished sixth in 1901-02. He soon established himself as their first choice glovesman, being ever present with 34 appearances in the next three successive seasons 1902-03, 1903-04 and 1904-05 when City finished in 4th place on each occasion. Season 1905-06 saw City finish as Second Division Champions with Clay playing in 36 of the 38 League matches.

With City promoted to the First Division in 1906-07 Clay played only 8 games as William Demmery was the first choice goalkeeper as City finished League runners up. Clay played 11 matches in season 1907-08 when Albert Talbot-Lewis was the regular goalkeeper. Clay returned to the side in season 1908-09 making 37 appearances for The Robins and played all rounds of their FA Cup run which saw them defeated in the 1909 FA Cup Final 1-0 by Manchester United in a match played in front of 71,40o spectators at The Crystal Palace.

He made 29 appearances in 1909-10 and 28 appearances in 1910-11 when City were relegated after finishing 19th out of 20 clubs in the First Division. Clay made further League appearances in the Second Division, 25 appearances in 1911-12 and 12 appearances the following season. He played his final match on 16th November 1912 for Bristol City against Blackpool in a 0-0 draw before retiring in 1913 after 332 appearances for The Robins.