Bobby Clark was born in 2005, simply as dad Lee’s profession was winding down. Clark senior was Fulham’s captain when Bobby was born, however three months later he was allowed to depart West London on the expiry of his contract.
He got here residence to Newcastle, the place all of it started, initially to educate however he ended up enjoying 22 extra occasions for the membership. Even scoring an equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.
Bobby’s profession, like Lee’s, started at Newcastle. However throughout his first season as an expert, and on the eve of Newcastle’s Saudi-backed takeover, Liverpool swooped to signal him for a price believed to be £1.5m inclusive of add-ons. Inside 12 months he had made his Liverpool first-team debut, no imply feat given the expertise at then-manager Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.
A trophy and tempo: the 2 issues Bobby Clark has that dad does not
The next season he performed a dozen occasions for the first-team, with the spotlight being a 48 minute look within the 1-0 win over Chelsea within the Carabao Cup. He seemed set to play much more of a task with Liverpool underneath new supervisor Arne Slot, till a singular alternative got here as much as signal completely for Crimson Bull Salzburg.
The £10m deal, which contains a 17.5% sell-on clause, noticed him reunited with Pepijn Lijnders, Klopp’s Assistant at Liverpool. At 19 he has the chance to be a key participant for a membership who prefer to belief youth and play within the Champions League.
Mates reunited: Bobby Clark’s everlasting switch to Salzburg is not so left discipline whenever you realise Pep Lijnders (proper) is their new boss (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
“That’s a straightforward one,” Lee Clark tells FourFourTwo when pressed on who was higher at that age. “Bobby’s the higher footballer. He’s obtained every little thing I had when it comes to software, work ethic, health and an excellent passing vary, however he’s extra bodily imposing than me and has much more tempo, which is a large asset within the fashionable recreation.
“He broke by way of final season and has already gained yet another main honour than his outdated man, however solely time will inform if he goes on to have the profession I consider he’s able to having. I used to be lucky to be concerned with some excellent groups and play at a excessive degree for a few years, however let’s face it: if Bobby carries on the way in which he’s began, he’s going to have an incredible profession and win much more medals alongside the way in which.”
Each had been 17 after they made their debuts, and each had been extremely rated England youth internationals, however Lee actually had the harder introduction to soccer. “I used to be 17 when Jim Smith gave me my debut, although Newcastle weren’t within the prime flight on the time.
VIDEO How Liverpool Received The Carabao Cup Ultimate With Youngsters
“Beneath Ossie Ardiles I used to be lucky to play commonly alongside good associates who additionally got here by way of the ranks – lads like Steve Watson, Steve Howey, Alan Thompson and Robbie Elliott. Bobby’s had the same pathway, enjoying with a number of acquainted faces from the Liverpool Academy, and it actually helps.”
His soccer journey has taken an intriguing detour, however with a well-known face serving to him navigate the sport, it is going to be fascinating to see the place he can take issues subsequent.
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