Jamie Clapham

Career

Clapham was born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire. His career started at Tottenham Hotspur F.C., although he only made one appearance for the club, a 2-1 defeat to Coventry City F.C. on May 11, 1997. Prior to that single game, he had had loan spells at Leyton Orient F.C. (six games between January 29 and February 22, 1997) and Bristol Rovers F.C. (five games between March 27 and April 26 of the same year).

The next season saw him loaned out to Ipswich Town F.C. for two months between January 9 and March 12, 1998, the move then becoming permanent for a fee of £300,000. He made a total of 175 full and 20 substitute appearances in the league for Ipswich and scored eight goals, the most notable coming from his left-footed free kicks. In 1999, he was voted Ipswich Town's "Player of the Year". He also tasted European action with the club, playing 12 games in the UEFA Cup in two successive campaigns, UEFA Cup 2001–02 and UEFA Cup 2002–03.

Ipswich Town's relegation in 2002 led to the club going into administration (insolvency) and created a need to sell players. Clapham was one such player as he was sold to Premier League club Birmingham City F.C. for £1.3 million in 2003 after four years at Portman Road. He settled into the team and was a virtual ever-present until a hamstring injury forced him out in December 2003. His recovery was hampered when he suffered shingles during February 2004, and he was unable to return until April.

In the following two seasons, he remained a squad player with competition for his slot from a number of players, such as Stan Lazaridis and Julian Gray, limiting his appearances. In May 2006, he was released by the club as they slipped from the top flight. In all, he played 84 league games over three seasons, scoring once (against Manchester United F.C.).

In July 2006, Clapham had a trial with Sheffield United F.C. and played 75 minutes of a pre-season clash with Rotherham United F.C.. Clapham also received interest from his former club Ipswich Town before choosing to sign for Football League Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in August 2006 on a two-year deal. He played in just 26 league games during the 2006–07 season, without scoring, and was put on the transfer list at the end of it.

However, there were no takers for the defender in the close season and he began the 2007–08 campaign still at Molineux Stadium. He was loaned out to Football League One Leeds United A.F.C. in August 2007 and remained at Elland Road for three months.

He failed to break back into Wolves first team after his return and was released to join Leicester City F.C. on January 31, 2008. Clapham was released by the club in May 2008.

After a period training with West Bromwich Albion F.C. in July, managed by former Ipswich team mate Tony Mowbray, he joined Southend United F.C. on trial but was not offered a contract. After two weeks' training with Notts County F.C., he signed a short-term deal with the Football League Two club in September 2008.