Embedded Files
A Page dedicated to the memory of Brian Clark, Vice President of HPR and former Cardiff City Legend.
Brian was was snapped up by Cardiff City manager Jimmy Scoular for £8,000 from Huddersfield Town in1968. Scoring twice on his debut during a 4-3 win over Derby County, he went on to form a lethal partnership with John Toshack, ending the season with 17 goals and his first Welsh Cup winners medal. Clark finished as the clubs top scorer for the next two seasons, as well as scoring 5 times in a single match against Barmouth & Dyffryn, falling short of Derek Tapscott's club record of goals in a game by just one. It was during the 1970–71 season that he achieved probably the high point of his career when he headed in the only goal of the first leg against Real Madrid in a 1-0 win during the European Cup Winners Cup quarter-final. The following year he again finished as Cardiff's top scorer, the third successive year he had done so, before he and Ian Gibson were surprisingly sold to Bournemouth for a combined fee of £100,000.
Clark spent one year at Bournemouth, followed by a spell at Millwall. On 20 January 1974 at The Den Millwall hosted Fulham, in what was the first Football League game ever held on a Sunday. Clark scored the only goal of the game, thereby becoming the first player to score a Football League goal on a Sunday. He soon returned to Ninian Park to play for Cardiff again. His second spell at the club lasted just a single season but he still managed to help the club win promotion to Division Two. He left the club to sign for Newport County before finishing his career with a number of player-manager roles at several Welsh Football League sides.
Siân Williams, HPR Chairperson writes (10/8/10)
"It is with sadness that I inform you that our Vice president Brian Clarke died last night (9/8/10).
We were fortunate that Brian chose to be involved with us. He attended out presentations (not this year as he was unwell) alongside Gordon Hill and in the past coached our older boys within the club.
Over the years he has been an honorary guest at Cardiff & District Presentations and was always extremely proud when called on to give trophies to HPR teams, making a point of drawing attention to his HPR attachment. Our (next season's) U16’s won the Doug Langley award a few years back and had a complementary day at Cardiff City (old ground) to have the trophy presented by Peter Ridsdale followed by a lap of honour at halftime in a Cardiff v Southampton fixture. However when we realised that Brian was commentating that day (as he did frequently for overseas commentary) we asked if he could hand out the award to his own adopted club and he was extremely proud and the kids loved it! He was a lovely man who always asked how things at HPR were going. Our Condolences & thoughts must be with his family at this sad time."
"Thank you" from the family of Brian Clark.
Brian Clarke [1943-2010]
"I wonder if on behalf of our family you would pass our sincere thanks onto 'Heath Park Rangers' for the beautiful flowers and cards recieved on the loss of Brian. We were very touched by your kindness. Brian always enjoyed the times he spent with 'Rangers'. Hope you have a wonderful season." With sincere thanks Gill Clark & family
Other Tributes to Brian can be found at the following links:
Brian's Farewell on Walesonline
Millwall Bristol City Independent
Information on Brian's achievements
Brian holding a copy of the programme for the Cardiff/Real game
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse