John Clark (footballer, born 1941)
John Clark (born 13 March 1941) is a Scottish former international footballer and member of the Celtic team nicknamed the Lisbon Lions.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 March 1941 | ||
| Place of birth | Chapelhall, Scotland | ||
| Position(s) | Left half | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Larkhall Thistle | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1958–1971 | Celtic | 182 | (1) |
| 1971–1973 | Morton | 54 | (0) |
| Total | 236 | (1) | |
| National team | |||
| 1966–1967 | Scotland | 4 | (0) |
| 1966–1967 | Scottish League XI | 2 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1984–1985 | Cowdenbeath | ||
| 1986 | Stranraer | ||
| 1987–1992 | Clyde | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Playing career
Born in Chapelhall, Lanarkshire, he was part of the Celtic team that won the European Cup in 1967. Clark is perhaps the most unheralded player among the Lisbon Lions team. His undramatic style of team play in sweeping up beside fellow centre back, Billy McNeil, was integral to the success of the team. His role as Celtic's sweeper earned him the nickname "The Brush."
Clark earned four international caps for Scotland,[1] all in his time with Celtic.
He left Celtic for Morton in 1971, where he retired from playing two years later.
After playing
Clark enjoyed a managerial career with Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde in the 1980s and early 90s.
His son Martin also became a professional footballer, with Clyde, Nottingham Forest and Partick Thistle in the 1990s.
John Clark is currently employed by Celtic as their kit man, a position he has held for two decades - making him the second-longest ever serving Celt, after Willie Maley.