Nathan Clarke (born 30 November 1983) is an English former footballer professional footballer who played as a centre-back. In a career that last from 2001 until 2021 Clarke represented Huddersfield Town, Colchester United, Oldham Athletic, Bury, Leyton Orient, Bradford City, Coventry City, Grimsby Town and FC Halifax Town. Playing career Huddersfield Town Clarke is a product of the Huddersfield Town Academy. He began his first team career at the age of just 17 when his debut came in a 1–1 draw away to Stoke City on 8 September 2001. He scored his first goal for his home club on his home debut in the game in which ended in a 4–2 loss against Blackpool. He made a total of 37 starts in all competitions during the 2001–02 season his first as a professional with the first team with 36 of them coming in the league scoring once. Clarke was runner-up in the Huddersfield Town 'Player of the Year' 2005–06 and was made vice-captain of the team aged just 21, going on to win the title the following year along with winning the 'players player award'. Clarke played under eight different managers at the Galpharm and was in the starting 11 for each one. Clarke has been selected in FourFourTwo's Top 50 Football League Players at 43 in March 2006, down from 40 in the list in March 2005. On 27 January 2011, after failing to break into Lee Clark's team, Clarke joined League One club Colchester United on loan until the end of the season. He made 18 appearances for the U's. On 19 August 2011, he joined Oldham Athletic on a five-month loan deal. He made his debut the following day, where he also scored the first goal. Clarke returned to his parent club Huddersfield Town after making 16 appearances for Oldham. He then on 9 March, joined Bury on loan for the remainder of the season. He played a huge part in the club's league survival in the league, with them finishing mid table. He left Huddersfield Town in June 2012 after playing over 300 games for his home town club (and almost 20 years at the club he has supported since he was a boy), 11 of those as pro. Leyton Orient Clarke signed for Leyton Orient on 18 July 2012 on a two-year contract. Boss Russell Slade made him the club captain of the London side