Thanks to Dave Rowntree for many of the player images after 1984.
Can you help? This page is the result of the best endeavours of all concerned. If you spot a mistake or know of facts to add, or have a better photo, please get in touch using 'Contact Us' (top, right).
JARVIS CLEAL
Full Name: Jarvis Jai Cleal
Born: 10 April 2002
Came from: Trainee Went to: Released
First game: 07 March 2020 Last game: 07 March 2020
Appearances: 1 (0/1) Goals: 0
Born in Yeovil, Cleal lived in Sherborne, Dorset before leaving for Malvern in Worcestershire at a young age. He joined the West Bromwich Albion academy on a full-time basis at the age of 14 but was released by the Baggies in the summer of 2018, and then had trials with Oxford United and Walsall before arriving at Home Park to sign on apprentice terms in October 2018. His father Matthew, was a professional cricketer for Somerset playing 15 first-class matches between 1989-91.
Cleal was described as a very technical footballer, who liked to get on the ball and create, and had a fine passing range, possessed a fierce shot and was blessed with the pace to surge past defenders in tight situations. He became a regular in the centre of midfield or as a right wing-back in the Youth Alliance and the Central League before making his first appearance in a first team squad, as an unused substitute at the end of January 2020. The second-year apprentice made his first team debut as an 88th minute substitute five weeks later, becoming the third member of the under-18 squad, with Jude Boyd and Rubin Wilson, to be given his chance that season. After a couple of appearances on the bench, Ryan Lowe bought him on in an EFL League Two match between Argyle and Macclesfield Town, coming on as a right wing-back with just a few minutes left to play as Argyle won 3-0.
However in November 2020, the club issued a statement saying that Cleal was on a period of leave from Home Park for 'personal reasons'. Perhaps in a case of 'too much, too soon' Jarvis himself commented "I have needed some time away for my mental health. Saying it has been tough is an understatement, but I am working hard, with help and ongoing support from the club, to get myself back on track and stronger than ever".
However, in the end, electing not to return, he was released by the club at end of the 2020-21 season.
Like a few of Argyle's released former apprentices from this time, he then elected to move to the USA, combining sport and studies at the North Carolina State University. There, he played regularly for the 'Wolfpack' across his Freshman (2021) and Sophomore (2022) years, continuing into 2023.
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APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
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