Chris Cleary
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| Chris Cleary | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Martin Cleary | |
| Date of birth | August 2, 1979 | |
| Place of birth | Washington, D.C., United States | |
| Playing position | Forward / Midfielder | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| 1998-2001 | Boston College | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2001-2002 2002-2004 2004 2004-2005 |
Karlsruher SVL Ludwigswinkel Barnsley Worksop Town |
|
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Chris Cleary (born August 2, 1979 in Washington, DC) was a U.S. soccer player who spent his professional career in Europe.
Contents |
[edit] High School
The second of four siblings, Cleary grew up in West Roxbury, Massachusetts where he began high school at Catholic Memorial High School. He then transferred to Noble and Greenough School.[1] A member of the Massachusetts Olympic Development Teams from ages 13-19 and playing youth football for Charles River United and F.C. Greater Boston, Cleary managed to win 5 State Titles and 3 Regional Championships, and was 3 times named Tournament MVP. Cleary was also three times named to the All Conference Team in high school, twice named to the All State Team and twice named to the All Region Team. He finished his high school career with over 110 points.[2] Cleary was also an All Conference basketball and baseball player in his senior year of high school.
[edit] College
Cleary attended Boston College where he played on the men's soccer team from 1998 to 2001. He was a Big East All Conference selection and Regional All-American his senior season and the recipient of the Tom McElroy Scholarship. Cleary started all but 4 games in his 4 seasons in Chestnut Hill. During his junior year, Boston College won The Big East tournament over Seton Hall. Cleary ended his career ranked in the top 10 for career points and assists.
[edit] Professional
After completing his collegiate career, Cleary moved to Germany where he signed with Second Division club Karlsruher SC. He then played two seasons with SVL Ludwigswinkel, now known as FK Pirmasens. He played and scored with both the first team and reserves before suffering from an ankle injury. In 2004, Cleary signed a non-contract with Barnsley FC, but soon left for Worksop Town FC with Assistant Manager, Ronnie Glavin. Cleary was rumoured to be making a move to Sheffield Wednesday, Lincoln City FC, or Rotherham United after his performances in his team's FA Cup games. (Cleary managed 6 goals and 1 assist in 3 games). He retired in 2005 after suffering another ankle injury, necessitaty two major operations. He has since returned to the United States
[edit] FA Cup hat trick
On October 6, 2004, American born, (Irish citizen), Cleary made English football history by becoming the First American to ever score a hatrick in the FA Cup. Worksop Town FC defeated Droylesden FC 3-2 in front of 4,850 fans.[3]
