From Donegal Democrat last year

 

By Alan Foley

Aston Villa have rewarded Ciaran Clark for his progress to date by handing the 20-year-old and two-and-a-half year professional contract.

Although London born and an England underage international, Clark has stong Donegal connections. He is the grandson of Vera Clark, originally from Moyle Hill in Milford, but presently living in Manorcunningham.

Ciaran's father Michael, although born in Edinburgh when his family were working in Scotland for a time, is a former student of Drummond National School in Ballyare and played for Milford United under Fr Michael Herrity as a teenager.

Michael eventually decided to move to England to find work and his wife Peggy, from Drumshambo, Co Leitrim, who trained as a nurse in Letterkenny General Hospital, left with him in early 1989. Michael now works with the London Underground, although makes the trip home on two or three occasions a year to visit his sizable extended family that includes the McGinleys, Lynaghs, McMonagles, Sweeneys and McCuskers.

Clark made his first team debut in August in Villa's 2-0 Premier League win and has represented England at U-17, 18 and 19 brackets, as well as being called up to the U-21 squad.

"I've been with Villa since I was 12," Clark said. "It was great to make my Premier League debut and I hope I can push on and do well for Villa. I'm grateful and thankful for the new contract and now I'm going to knuckle down and work hard.