Over 13 years at Celtic, Clark made 316 first-team appearances, scored three goals. His Celtic record is hugely impressive; he is one of the club’s most decorated players and won:
• Six Scottish League Championships
• Three Scottish Cups
• Five League Cups
• One European Cup
Leaving Celtic Park did not mark the end of John’s playing career. He journeyed westwards to Greenock where he turned out for Morton. His time there included scoring again for Celtic – although unfortunately for Clark it was an own-goal!
He spent two seasons at Cappielow before finally retiring as a player. At one point, Celtic looked to re-sign him but this fell through. However, he would still have the opportunity to once more work for the Celts.
Billy McNeill, Jock Stein and John Clark outside the doors of Celtic Park, as Billy is appointed Celtic manager and John his assistant, in summer 1978 Photo The Celtic Wiki
After retiring, his first destination was a familiar one. Clark returned to Celtic as a coach, working with the reserve and youth teams. His deep understanding of the game and his ability to nurture young talent made him a trusted figure.
After this, Aberdeen came calling. In 1977, he joined his old defensive partner Billy McNeill as assistant manager at Pittodrie. The two men enjoyed a successful spell which resulted in Aberdeen finishing as League runners-up.
However, soon it was time to once more head for his true home: Celtic Park. In 1978, John Clark returned to the Bhoys as assistant manager, helping Celtic win three league titles, one Scottish Cup and one League Cup. This included the dramatic ‘Ten men won the League’ success in 1979.
After leaving Celtic, John continued his own managerial journey. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was in the hot seat at various places, working for Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde, as well as junior club Shotts Bon Accord.
Scottish Youth Cup Final. 2015. Celtic versus theRangers. Scott Brown with Lisbon Lion John Clark. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
However, by 1997, Clark was again back home. He took up the role of Celtic’s first-team kit man, a position he would hold for more than twenty years. In this role, Clark helped prepare squads for matches and offered advice to young players.
Many players and managers — including Martin O’Neill — later spoke of how Clark’s stories helped them at Celtic. This was publicly recognised in 2004. At the Celtic Player of the Year Awards, Martin O’Neill presented John Clark with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to Celtic. It was well deserved, although he still had many years of work to go.
Former team mates Bertie Auld and John Clarke pay tribute to Billy McNeill at his statue outside Celtic Park on April 23, 2019. The former Celtic captain Billy McNeill who was the first Briton to lift the European Cup, has died aged 79. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Away from football, Clark was a devoted family man. He was married to his wife Eileen and was a father to his children. His son Martin followed in his footsteps into professional football, playing for clubs including Clyde, Nottingham Forest and Partick Thistle.
