Wikipedia

Conor Clifford

For the American basketball player, seeConor Clifford (basketball).

Conor Paul Clifford(born 1 October 1991)[2]is an Irish professionalfootballerwho plays as amidfielder,most recently forLeague of Ireland First DivisionclubBray Wanderers.He is a former Republic of Ireland youth international and has represented them at under-17, under-19, andunder-21 level.He has been called intothe senior Ireland squadbut is yet to play.

Conor Clifford
Clifford playing forBoreham Woodin 2016
Personal information
Full name Conor Paul Clifford[1]
Date of birth (1991-10-01)1 October 1991(age 32)
Place of birth Dublin,Ireland
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
0000–2007 Crumlin United
2007–2009 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Chelsea 0 (0)
2010 →Plymouth Argyle(loan) 7 (0)
2011 →Notts County(loan) 9 (0)
2011–2012 →Yeovil Town(loan) 7 (0)
2012 →Portsmouth(loan) 2 (1)
2012–2013 →Crawley Town(loan) 1 (0)
2013 Leicester City 0 (0)
2013–2015 Southend United 36 (3)
2015 →Barnet(loan) 13 (1)
2015–2017 Boreham Wood 64 (2)
2017 Dundalk 17 (0)
2018 Limerick 11 (0)
2018–2019 St Patrick's Athletic 34 (4)
2020 Derry City 11 (2)
2021–2022 Bray Wanderers 37 (4)
International career
2007–2008 Republic of Ireland U17 12 (0)
2008–2010 Republic of Ireland U19 20 (5)
2009–2012 Republic of Ireland U21 13 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:06 14 August 2023

Club career

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Early career

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Clifford began his career withCherry OrchardandCrumlin United,and played in the Dublin District Schoolboys League in Ireland.

Chelsea

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Clifford moved to England in 2007 to sign forChelseaas a member oftheir Academy.[2]He signed a full-time scholarship in June 2008.[3]He made 25 appearances for the youth team during the2009–10 season,scoring three goals. After progressing into the reserve team, where he scored twice in ten appearances, Clifford captained the youth team as they won theFA Youth Cupin2010.He scored the decisive goal in thefinalas they were crowned champions for the first time since 1961.[4]Clifford joinedPlymouth Argyleon an initial one-month loan in October 2010.[5]He made his senior debut the next day in a 2–1 win againstHuddersfield Town.[6]"I'm still learning the game, and it's all good experience for me playing in front of big crowds and with these lads," he said. "I just want to keep myself in the team and keep playing well for Plymouth."[7]

His loan was extended in November,[8]and he continued to play regularly before returning to Chelsea in December.[9]Both clubs had agreed to another extension,[10]but theFootball Leaguedeclined his registration due to Argyle's financial difficulties.[11]"What will be will be, but it's a blow," saidPeter Reid."I've got to say that. He's been a breath of fresh air. He's enthusiastic, presses the ball, and has been our leader for such a young man while Fletcher has been out injured; a tremendous character."[12] On 11 February 2011 Clifford signed on a one-month loan forLeague OneclubNotts County.[13]He returned to Chelsea on 7 April 2011, having made nine appearances for County.[14]

He joined League One Yeovil Town on another loan deal[15]and extend his loan spell in December.[16]During his second spell at Yeovil, Clifford scored in the second round of the FA Cup againstFleetwood Town.In January, Clifford would make his return to Chelsea after two months spell.[17]One month after his spell at Yeovil, Clifford signed a new deal, keeping him until 2013.[18]

At the start of 2012–13 season, Clifford went on a trial with League One strugglerPortsmouthand join them on loan on a one-month loan deal.[19]Clifford made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw againstBournemouthon 18 August 2012 and scored his first goal in a 90th minutes in a 4–2 loss againstCarlisle United.However, his loan spell at Portsmouth was short-lived after the club decided against extending his loan deal.[20]

On 4 January 2013, Clifford was released byChelseain advance, with the hope of quickly finding new clubs before hundreds of others find themselves in a similar situation around the country. Head of youth development Neil Bath discussed the thinking behind the move, "Conor came over from Ireland at Under-15. We've always given him support and help that comes with bringing someone from abroad without their immediate friends and family with them. I hope to keep in contact with him. He had a fantastic time in the Youth Cup for us, and his challenge is to adjust from youth to men's football. He's gaining some fantastic experience with the Irish national team and he's a gusty, determined, hard-tackling player, who has scored a lot of goals. I hope a club goes with him."[21]

Leicester City

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On 18 February 2013, Clifford played in a reserve game forLeicester CityagainstBirmingham Cityfeaturing in midfield and scoring the winning goal with a right-footed drive from inside the box. Clifford had been on trial at the club following his release fromChelseain January 2013.[22]After featuring in a couple more reserve games forLeicester City,Clifford signed a short-term contract until the end of the2012–13 seasonon 9 March.[23]However, Clifford made no appearances for the club[24]and was released at the end of the 2012–13 season.[25]

Southend United

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Clifford signed a two-year contract withSouthend Unitedon 1 August 2013.[25]Clifford had previously gone on trial with the club for the pre-season friendly in Spain.[26]Clifford made his debut, in the opening game of the season, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minutes, in a 1–0 win overPlymouth Argyle.[citation needed]Clifford scored his first Southend goal on 5 October 2013 in a 2–0 win over Oxford United. Clifford was released by Southend following their promotion toLeague Onein 2015.[27]

Barnet (loan)

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Clifford joinedBarneton loan on 2 February 2015.[28] He scored his first goal for Barnet, with a 25-yard curling shot, in a 3–1 defeat at home againstGrimsby Townon 21 February 2015.[29]

Boreham Wood

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Clifford signed forBoreham Woodon 7 August 2015.[30]He made his first appearance for the club the following day, in a 3–1 win againstHalifax Town.

Dundalk

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In January 2017, Clifford signed forDundalk.[31] He made his debut on 17 February 2017, when he came on as a second-half substitute in the2017 President of Ireland's Cupfinal defeat toCork City.[32]On 6 October, Clifford was banned from worldwide football for six months after admitting an FA charge in relation to betting during his time in England.[33][34]

Limerick

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Clifford joinedLimerickon 10 April 2018 upon the expiration of his worldwide football ban.[35]He made his debut for the club 4 days later in a 2–1 defeat at the hands ofSligo RoversatMarkets Field.His time on Shannonside lasted a mere seven weeks with the club running into financial difficulties.

St Patrick's Athletic

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Clifford signed forSt Patrick's Athleticon 2 July 2018.[36]He made his debut for the club on 20 July 2018 in a 2–1 victory against former clubLimerick.

International career

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Clifford was an Republic of Ireland international under-17, under-19 and now is currently anunder-21 international for Ireland.He made regular appearances for the under-19s scoring three times in ten appearances, going on to playing for the under-21s.[37]On 10 August 2011, he was called up to the senior team for the friendly againstCroatiaand was an unused sub for the game. On 9 October 2012, he was called into the senior squad for their2014 FIFA World Cupqualifier againstGermanyon 12 October.[38]

Career statistics

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As of match played 21 October 2022.[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea 2009–10 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2010–11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2011–12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2012–13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Plymouth Argyle(loan) 2010–11 League One 7 0 0 0 0 0 — 1[a] 0 8 0
Notts County(loan) 2010–11 League One 9 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 9 0
Yeovil Town(loan) 2011–12 League One 7 0 2 1 0 0 — 0 0 9 1
Portsmouth(loan) 2012–13 League One 2 1 0 0 0 0 — 1[a] 0 3 1
Crawley Town(loan) 2012–13 League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 1 0
Leicester City 2012–13 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Southend United 2013–14 League Two 24 1 2 0 1 0 — 1[a] 0 28 1
2014–15 12 2 0 0 1 0 — 0 0 13 2
Total 36 3 2 0 2 0 — 1 0 41 3
Barnet(loan) 2014–15 Conference Premier 13 1 0 0 — — 0 0 13 1
Boreham Wood 2015–16 National League 44 2 2 0 — — 1[b] 0 47 2
2016–17 20 0 1 0 — — 0 0 21 0
Total 64 2 3 0 — — 1 0 68 2
Dundalk 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division 17 0 1 0 3 2 0 0 5 2 26 4
Limerick 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division 11 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 11 0
St Patrick's Athletic 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division 9 2 2 0 0 0 — 1 0 12 2
2019 25 2 2 1 1 0 2[c] 1 0 0 30 4
Total 34 4 4 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 42 6
Derry City 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division 11 2 1 0 — 1[c] 0 — 12 2
Bray Wanderers 2021 League of Ireland First Division 24 4 0 0 — — 2[d] 0 26 4
2022 13 0 0 0 — — — 13 0
Total 37 4 0 0 — — 2 0 39 4
Career total 249 17 13 2 6 2 3 1 12 2 283 24
  1. ^abcAppearance(s) inFootball League Trophy
  2. ^Appearance(s) inFA Trophy
  3. ^abAppearance(s) inUEFA Europa League
  4. ^Appearances in2021 League of Ireland promotion/relegation playoffs

Honours

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Dundalk

Individual

References

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  1. ^"List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/10/2010 and 31/10/2010"(PDF).The Football Association.Retrieved23 November2010.
  2. ^ab"Conor Clifford – Profile".Chelsea F.C. official website. Archived fromthe originalon 5 June 2011.Retrieved31 July2010.
  3. ^"Academy to take nine full-time".Chelsea F.C. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  4. ^"FA Youth Cup report: Chelsea 2–1 Aston Villa (Agg 3–2)".Chelsea F.C. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  5. ^"Clifford pens Plymouth loan deal".BBC Sport. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  6. ^"Confident Conor".Plymouth Argyle. 5 November 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 24 November 2010.Retrieved28 April2014.
  7. ^"Debut delights for newboy Clifford"Archived29 November 2010 at theWayback Machine.Plymouth Herald.25 October 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  8. ^"Plymouth extend Clifford loan".BBC Sport. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  9. ^"Clifford back to the Bridge".Chelsea F.C. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  10. ^"Clifford stays a Pilgrim".Chelsea F.C. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  11. ^"Plymouth Argyle | News | Latest News | Latest News | CONOR'S BLUE".Pafc.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 25 December 2010.Retrieved11 February2011.
  12. ^"Plymouth Argyle | News | Latest News | Latest News | 'I'D LIKE CONOR BACK' – REID".Pafc.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 25 December 2010.Retrieved11 February2011.
  13. ^"BBC Sport – Football – Notts County sign McDonald and Clifford".BBC News. 11 February 2011.Retrieved11 February2011.
  14. ^"Clifford returns to Chelsea".Notts County. 7 April 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 1 April 2012.Retrieved17 April2011.
  15. ^"Chelsea's Conor Clifford joins Yeovil Town on loan".BBC. 4 November 2011.Retrieved24 September2012.
  16. ^"Yeovil Town extend loan of Chelsea's Conor Clifford".BBC. 5 December 2011.Retrieved24 September2012.
  17. ^"Clifford makes Blues return".Sky Sports. 4 January 2012.Retrieved24 September2012.
  18. ^"New Chelsea deal for Clifford".Sky Sports. 15 February 2012.Retrieved24 September2012.
  19. ^"Chelsea starlet itching to join Pompey".Portsmouth News. 8 August 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 10 August 2012.Retrieved24 September2012.
  20. ^"Clifford exits Pompey".Portsmouth News. 17 September 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 19 September 2012.Retrieved24 September2012.
  21. ^"FIVE UNDER-21S RELEASED".chelseafc. 4 January 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2013.Retrieved4 January2013.
  22. ^"U21s: City 2 Birmingham 1".Leicester City F.C. 18 February 2013.Retrieved18 February2013.
  23. ^"Transfer news: Leicester City sign former Chelsea midfielder Conor Clifford".Sky Sports. 10 March 2013.Retrieved10 March2013.
  24. ^"Games played by Conor Clifford in 2012/2013".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved28 April2014.
  25. ^ab"Southend sign Conor Clifford, Julian Bennett and Craig Reid".BBC Sport. 1 August 2013.Retrieved11 August2013.
  26. ^"Trialists Don Cowan and Conor Clifford to train in Spain with Southend United".Echo News. 22 July 2013.Retrieved11 August2013.
  27. ^"Clifford 'to leave' Southend United".BBC Sport.
  28. ^"Conor Clifford joins on loan – News – Barnet Football Club".barnetfc.
  29. ^Match report Barnet 1–3 Grimsby Town,
  30. ^"TWO IN AS" WOOD "LOOK FORWARD TO HALIFAX".Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2015.Retrieved7 August2015.
  31. ^"'It's only when you get older you realise how horrible it can be' – Conor Clifford on the reality of professional football ".Irish Independent.19 January 2017.Retrieved19 January2017.
  32. ^"Cork City show early intent with sparkling win over Dundalk in President's Cup".Irish Examiner.20 February 2017.Retrieved23 February2017.
  33. ^"Statement: Conor Clifford".Dundalk F.C.6 October 2017.Retrieved7 October2017.
  34. ^"Dundalk's Conor Clifford handed six-month ban from football for gambling on games".The Independent.6 October 2017.Retrieved7 October2017.
  35. ^"Conor Clifford signs with Limerick as worldwide ban ends".the42.10 April 2018.Retrieved8 November2018.
  36. ^"St Patrick's Athletic announce signing of Conor Clifford following Limerick departure".the42.2 July 2018.Retrieved8 November2018.
  37. ^"UEFA – Conor Clifford – Profile".UEFA official website.Retrieved31 July2010.
  38. ^"Ireland call for Clifford".Irish Independent.9 October 2012.Retrieved10 October2012.
  39. ^"Republic of Ireland – C. Clifford – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway".int.soccerway.Retrieved11 July2016.
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