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RONALD CLARK
Full Name: Ronald George Clark (also known as Nobby)
Born: 23 April 1919
Came from: Army Went to: Released
First game: 12 January 1946 Last game: 12 January 1946
Appearances: 1 (1/0) Goals: 0
Although the Second World War was at an end, the Football League divided its competition into regional sections for the 1945-46 season because of the exceptional conditions at that time, with so many players still serving in the Armed Forces or employed on essential war work. Argyle played in the Football League South that season, against first-class opposition such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Aston Villa and Wolves. It proved impossible for the Pilgrims to field a regular side; 72 players made an appearance and performances inevitably suffered. From week to week the club called on Armed Services players, guest footballers from other League clubs and local amateurs to supplement its registered playing staff.
Born in Gainsborough, Clark was one of 21 players whose only first team games for Argyle were in the Football League South season and who usually played in local football or for the Armed Forces. He was approached by the Pilgrims after a game against his regiment - he served with and played for the 88th LAA (the Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, part of The Royal Artillery).
The club registered him with the Football League on Christmas Eve 1945, and he was picked to play a match at Swansea on Boxing Day but had to decline as this was his wedding day. He made his first team debut and solitary appearance at outside-left in January, along with Donald Case, in a home defeat by Newport County. Curiously, in the return fixture a week later, Clark was loaned to Newport for the game because the Welsh club was unable to field a full side.
At the end of the 1945-46 season, after his demob, Clark was offered a professional contract at Home Park but chose to move back to his work and family in north Devon, where he went on to play amateur football for Barnstaple and Braunton. 'Nobby', as he was often called in footballing circles, also played for the Devon FA side.
Footnote: grateful thanks to Ronald's daughter and family for their contact and help with this profile, and for the photo, which was before the final of the Westward Ho! Cup, a year or two after his time in Plymouth.
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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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