John Clark

John Clark made his senior debut as a striker during Dundee United’s championship winning 1982-1983 season though he only gained a regular place in the team after converting to a defender.

He went on to make 329 appearances for United but had no luck when it came to trophies, being a runner up three times in the Scottish Cup and once in the League Cup. There was also the 1986-1987 UEFA Cup Final defeat by IFK Goteborg, in which he scored one of his 37 United goals.

In 1994 he was transferred to Stoke City for £150,000, a move that lasted only until Lou Macari became manager a few months later. Falkirk brought John back to Scotland and from there he joined Dunfermline in February 1996 for £75,000. Despite helping the club to lift the First Division title, he was subjected to a good deal of criticism and played just 22 matches for the Pars, scoring twice.

John retired in 1999 after a couple of seasons at Berwick Rangers, where he also assisted manager Paul Smith. He later coached Gala Fairydean and Whitehall Welfare and was co-tenant of Musselburgh’s Auld Brig Tavern until 2012.