Adam Clayton (footballer) facts for kids
Clayton with Bradford City in 2023
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adam Stephen Clayton | ||
| Date of birth | 14 January 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
|
Current team
|
Matlock Town (player/manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1996–2008 | Manchester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2010 | Manchester City | 0 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | → Carlisle United (loan) | 28 | (1) |
| 2010 | → Leeds United (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2010–2012 | Leeds United | 45 | (6) |
| 2010–2011 | → Peterborough United (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 6 | (1) |
| 2012–2014 | Huddersfield Town | 85 | (11) |
| 2014–2020 | Middlesbrough | 213 | (1) |
| 2020–2021 | Birmingham City | 14 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Doncaster Rovers | 33 | (0) |
| 2023 | Bradford City | 14 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Rochdale | 27 | (0) |
| 2024 | Liversedge | 10 | (0) |
| 2024– | Matlock Town | 24 | (2) |
| International career | |||
| 2009 | England U20 | 4 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2025– | Matlock Town (player-manager) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:35, 28 April 2025 (UTC) | |||
Adam Stephen Clayton (born 14 January 1989) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Matlock Town. He is also the player-manager for the club.
Adam started his football journey at Manchester City. During his time there, he played on loan for other teams. These included Carlisle United and Leeds United. His loan to Leeds became a permanent move in 2010. He then had more loan spells at Peterborough United and Milton Keynes Dons. Adam became a regular player for Leeds in the 2011–12 season.
After Leeds, he spent two years with Huddersfield Town. In 2014, he joined Middlesbrough. With Middlesbrough, he helped the team get promoted to the Premier League. He also played a key role in midfield with Grant Leadbitter. Adam stayed at Middlesbrough for six seasons. He left in 2020 when his contract ended.
He then joined Birmingham City. After that, he played for Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City. In 2023, he moved to Rochdale. He started the 2024–25 season with Liversedge. Now, he is a player-coach at Matlock Town. Adam also played for England's under-20 team in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Contents
Adam Clayton's Club Career
Starting at Manchester City
Adam Clayton was born in Manchester. He joined Manchester City when he was seven years old. In May 2007, he signed his first professional contract. For the 2008–09 season, he was given the number 31 shirt. He was a substitute in a Premier League match in December 2008. He was also a substitute in an FA Cup game in January 2009. On 5 May, he signed a new two-year contract.
Loan to Carlisle United
On 2 November 2009, Adam joined League One club Carlisle United on loan. A loan means a player temporarily plays for another team. He made his first professional appearance five days later. This was in an FA Cup match against Morecambe. On 10 November, Adam scored his first senior goal. This happened in Carlisle's 3–1 win against Chesterfield. He played his first Football League game four days later.
His loan was extended until the end of the season. He scored against Leeds United in a cup semifinal. He also scored in the penalty shootout that sent Carlisle to the final. Adam played the whole final, but Carlisle lost 4–1. He played 36 games for Carlisle and scored three goals.
Playing for Leeds United
Adam joined Championship club Leeds United on a one-month loan on 6 August 2010. He made his debut the next day. After playing two games, Adam signed a permanent three-year contract with Leeds.
Loan Spells for Experience
To get more experience, Adam joined League One club Peterborough United on loan. He played well when the weather allowed. His loan was extended until January 2011. He finished his loan with eight appearances.
Adam then joined another League One club, Milton Keynes Dons, on loan. This was on 24 March until the end of the season. He played six league games and scored one goal. This goal was a late winner against his old club, Carlisle United. It helped MK Dons reach the play-off semifinals.
Back at Leeds United
After some key midfielders left Leeds, Adam was ready to play a bigger role. He started the season's first game, a 3–1 loss. He helped set up a goal in a 3–2 win against Bradford City. On 20 August, he scored his first Leeds goal. This was a late goal against West Ham United.
By mid-September, other clubs were interested in him. But Adam said he wanted to stay at Leeds for a long time. His third goal of the season came on 22 October. He scored a winning goal against Leicester City on 6 November. This goal was a powerful shot from 25 yards. It won him the club's Goal of the Season award.
Adam played regularly in his first season. He was discussing a new contract with Leeds. However, they could not agree on terms. He was then put on a list of players who could be transferred.
Moving to Huddersfield Town
On 6 July 2012, Adam signed for Huddersfield Town. The fee was about £350,000. He was given the number 8 shirt. He made his Huddersfield debut on 13 August 2012. This was in a cup game against Preston North End. He scored his first goal for Huddersfield on 1 September 2012. This was in a 2–2 draw against Ipswich Town. He scored his second goal from a penalty on 19 September 2012. In January 2014, Huddersfield turned down a £1 million offer for him. He won the club's Player of the Year award for the 2013–14 season. He played 42 league games and scored 7 goals.
Time at Middlesbrough
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On 13 August 2014, Adam signed a four-year deal with Middlesbrough. He was given the number 8 shirt. Adam became a very important player in Middlesbrough's midfield. He formed a strong partnership with team captain Grant Leadbitter.
On 7 May 2016, Adam helped Middlesbrough get promoted to the Premier League. This happened after a 1–1 draw at home.
New players joined the team in 2016. But Adam and Leadbitter stayed at Middlesbrough. The team was relegated back to the Championship for the 2017–18 season.
New managers came and went at Middlesbrough. Adam continued to play regularly. He left the club in 2020 when his contract ended.
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Playing for Birmingham City
On 1 September 2020, Adam joined Birmingham City. He signed a two-year contract. He made his debut as a substitute in a cup game. He started the season well. However, he later got a foot injury. His contract was ended by agreement on 5 November 2021.
Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City
Adam signed an 18-month contract with League One club Doncaster Rovers in January 2022. He made his debut on 29 January. He played little under the new coach. So, Adam joined Bradford City on 19 January 2023. He left Bradford City when his contract ended.
Later Career and Player-Manager Role
Adam signed a one-year contract with National League club Rochdale on 10 July 2023. He left Rochdale at the end of the 2023–24 season.
In August 2024, Adam signed for Northern Premier League club Liversedge. He played 11 games there. In October, he moved to Matlock Town. Here, he took on a player-coach role. In March 2025, Adam was made interim player-manager of Matlock Town. On 28 April 2025, he was appointed to the role permanently.
Adam Clayton's International Career
Adam was called to play for the England under-20 squad in March 2009. He made his international debut as a substitute. England won the game 2–0. He was part of England's squad for the 2009 U20 World Cup. He wore the number 4 shirt. He started two of England's three matches. England was eliminated in the group stage.
Adam Clayton's Coaching Career
In March 2025, Adam Clayton became the interim player-manager of Matlock Town. This happened after the previous manager left. He was appointed to the role permanently on 28 April 2025.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester City | 2008–09 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Carlisle United (loan) | 2009–10 | League One | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 5 | 2 | 36 | 3 | |
| Leeds United | 2010–11 | Championship | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Championship | 43 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 46 | 6 | ||
| Total | 47 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 50 | 6 | |||
| Peterborough United (loan) | 2010–11 | League One | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 2010–11 | League One | 6 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||
| Huddersfield Town | 2012–13 | Championship | 43 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 48 | 5 | |
| 2013–14 | Championship | 42 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 46 | 7 | ||
| Total | 85 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 94 | 12 | |||
| Middlesbrough | 2014–15 | Championship | 41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | Championship | 43 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 48 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 34 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 39 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18 | Championship | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 0 | |
| 2018–19 | Championship | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 38 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | Championship | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 30 | 0 | ||
| Total | 213 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 241 | 1 | ||
| Birmingham City | 2020–21 | Championship | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |||
| Doncaster Rovers | 2021–22 | League One | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | League Two | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
| Total | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| Bradford City | 2022–23 | League Two | 14 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| Rochdale | 2023–24 | National League | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
| Liversedge | 2024–25 | Northern Premier League (NPL) Division One East |
10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Matlock Town | 2024–25 | NPL Premier Division | 24 | 2 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 508 | 22 | 28 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 568 | 25 | ||
Honours and Awards
Carlisle United
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2009–10
Middlesbrough
- Football League Championship runner-up: 2015–16
Individual Awards
- PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 Championship
- Huddersfield Town Player of the Year: 2013–14
- Middlesbrough Supporters' Player of the Year: 2015–16
See also
In Spanish: Adam Clayton (futbolista) para niños
