Jon Clarke (rugby league)

Jon Clarke (born 4 April 1979) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a hooker for the Wigan Warriors, the London Broncos, the Warrington Wolves and the Widnes Vikings.[2][3]

Jon Clarke
Personal information
Full nameJonathan Clarke
Born (1979-04-04) 4 April 1979
Lowton, near Leigh, England
Playing information
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight15 st 6 lb (98 kg)[1]
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1997–99 Wigan Warriors 28 5 0 0 20
2000–01 London Broncos 30 2 0 0 8
2001–11 Warrington Wolves 234 69 72 0 420
2012–14 Widnes Vikings 67 6 0 0 16
Total 359 82 72 0 464
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2007 Great Britain 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3]

Clarke was Europe's Super League's most effective tackler in 2004. He is a physical hooker with an infectious competitive spirit, Clarke's versatility saw him switch between dummy half and back row with great success. Generally used as Warrington Wolves' starting hooker, he hits big in the early part of the game and is a strong defender from marker. He was Super League's most effective tackler in 2004 with a 99% success rate, and was fourth highest tackler in the competition in 2005.

Represented Great Britain Academy as capatin whilst coming through the junior ranks at Wigan Warriors, he played in their 1997 Premiership Final winning side against St. Helens. Followed his ex-Wigan Warriors coach John Monie to the London Broncos in 2000, but returned north during the 2001's Super League VI when the Warrington Wolves were forced to sign a hooker on loan to solve an injury crisis. Made an instant impact with some courageous performances against top sides to earn a permanent deal at the club, and he grew into a stalwart of Paul Cullen's Warrington Wolves.

In June 2007, Clarke was called up to the Great Britain squad for the Test match against France[4] He is extremely popular with the Wire fans, especially the females, because of his distinctive flowing} dark locks.

Recently the Warrington Wolves fans voted him 'Greatest Hooker' in Warrington Wolves' history, beating John Thursfield and Mark Roskell into 2nd and 3rd place.

He was forced to rule himself out contention for the England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup through injury.[5]

Clarke played in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.[6][7]

It was announced on 6 September 2011 that Clarke would be joining Widnes Vikings in their forthcoming return to Super League On signing, Clarke told the fans. "Widnes are an ambitious club and I'm an ambitious player. The goals I had as an 18 year-old making his way in the game are still the same to this day, and ultimately that is to perform to the best of my ability every single week both on and off the pitch. I've had ten fantastic years at Warrington but the time has now come for me to part company with the club and move onto the next chapter of my career. Before I do that, I'll be doing my utmost to make sure that I can go out on a high and finish my time there on the right note."

Clarke retired at the end of the 2014 season, and joined the coaching staff at Widnes.[8]

References
  1. "The official Engage Super League web site". web page. Super League. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  2. "Profile at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "Eight new faces in Lions squad". BBC. 12 June 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
  5. "Deacon pulls out of England squad". BBC. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  6. Scott, Ged (28 August 2010). "Leeds 6–30 Warrington". BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  7. Wilson, Andy (28 August 2010). "Chris Hicks hat-trick leads Warrington to Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  8. "Jon Clarke added to Widnes Vikings coaching staff". BBC Sport. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
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