Paul Clarke nicknamed "Nobby" is an Australian former professional

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played for the

Penrith Panthers The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith that competes in the NRL. The team is based west of the centre of Sydney, at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Penrith ...

, Balmain and the

Parramatta Eels The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta that competes in the National Rugby League. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, and their ...

in the

New South Wales Rugby League The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and is a member of the Australian Rugby League Commission. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was ...

(NSWRL) competition. Clarke is the brother of former rugby league players Peter Clarke and Craig Clarke.

Playing career

Clarke made his first grade debut for Balmain in Round 16 1984 against

Manly-Warringah The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Sydney's Northern Beaches. The team colours are maroon and white, while their namesake and logo is the sea eagle. They compete in Australia's premier rugb ...

Brookvale Oval Brookvale Oval (also known by the commercial sponsorship name 4 Pines Park) is a sporting ground located within Brookvale Park at Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia. The ground is owned by Northern Beaches Council and is primarily used by th ...

. In 1985, Balmain finished second on the table but were eliminated in consecutive weeks during the finals series. Clarke played a total of 24 games for Balmain in 1985. Balmain would go on to be a constant feature in the finals series over the coming years. Clarke missed both the 1988 and 1989 grand final defeats through injury. In 1990, Clarke joined Penrith and was a member of their first ever grand final side. Penrith would lose to Canberra 18-14. In 1991, Penrith would reach their second grand final in a rematch against Canberra. Clarke played at prop as Penrith came from behind to win their first premiership 19-12 at the

Sydney Football Stadium The Sydney Football Stadium, commercially known as Allianz Stadium and previously Aussie Stadium, was a football stadium in Moore Park, Sydney, Australia. Built in 1988 next to the Sydney Cricket Ground, the stadium was Sydney's premier rect ...

. After winning the 1991 premiership, Penrith's fortunes declined and the club failed to reach the finals in the following seasons. In 1994, Clarke signed with the

. Clarke played 2 seasons for Parramatta as the club struggled towards the bottom of the ladder narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon in 1995. Clarke retired following the conclusion of the 1995 season.Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. (1995 edition)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Paul 1964 births Living people Australian rugby league players Penrith Panthers players Balmain Tigers players Parramatta Eels players Rugby league players from Sydney New South Wales City Origin rugby league team players Rugby league props