Thomas Patrick Clare[1] (born 2 September 1999) is an English footballer and reality TV contestant who plays as a forward for Macclesfield.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2 September 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Barnsley, England | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Macclesfield | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2018 | Barnsley | ||
| 2018–2019 | Bradford City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2019 | Bradford City | 0 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | → Boston United (loan) | 7 | (3) |
| 2019 | Boston United | 5 | (0) |
| 2019 | → Frickley Athletic (loan) | ||
| 2020 | Bradford (Park Avenue) | 10 | (5) |
| 2020 | Buxton | ||
| 2020–2021 | Pontefract Collieries | 10 | (17) |
| 2021–2023 | Macclesfield | 47 | (27) |
| 2024– | Macclesfield | 9 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:46, 9 May (UTC) | |||
In 2023, he came third place on the ninth series of Love Island. In 2024, he won the first series of Love Island: All Stars, alongside his girlfriend Molly Smith. In February 2026, the couple became the new hosts of the NearlyWeds podcast, succeeding Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo.[3]
Football career
editClare came through the academy at Barnsley and joined Bradford City in 2018 but never made an appearance for the first team.[4][5] He joined Boston United initially on loan from Bradford, before signing a contract with them in June 2019.[6][7] After a loan spell with Frickley Athletic,[8] Clare left Boston in November 2019.[9] Having spent time at Bradford (Park Avenue), Buxton and Pontefract Collieries, Clare was one of Macclesfield FC's first signings when the club reformed and he signed a contract with the club in June 2021.[10][11] He was top scorer during Macclesfield's 2021–22 season with 23 goals and he signed a new 2-year contract in the spring of 2022.[12][13]
In March 2024 he returned to former club Macclesfield.[14][15]
Love Island
editClare was given permission by his club to leave Macclesfield mid-season in January 2023 to appear as a contestant on the ninth series of the ITV2 reality dating television show, Love Island.[16][17] Macclesfield director of football Robbie Savage reportedly gave his support and advice to Clare about the television appearance.[18]
In January 2024, Clare won the first series of Love Island: All Stars, alongside girlfriend Molly Smith.[19] In September 2025, the couple became engaged.[20]
Honours
editMacclesfield
References
edit- ↑ "Introducing NearlyWeds with Molly and Tom". Spotify. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Tom Clare". Soccerway.
- ↑ Introducing NearlyWeds with Molly and Tom | Great Company with Jamie Laing. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 6 May 2026 – via shows.acast.com.
- ↑ "Tom Clare set to be contestant on ITV's Love Island". Telegraph & Argus.
- ↑ "Love Island: Macclesfield striker Tom Clare joins ITV2 show's cast". BBC Sport.
- ↑ "Tom Clare can't wait to report back for Boston United training". Lincolnshire World.
- ↑ "Boston United boss turns attention to other targets after landing striker Tom Clare". Lincolnshire Live.
- ↑ "CLARE MAKES FRICKLEY LOAN MOVE". Boston United. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ↑ "Tom Clare leaves Boston United". Lincolnshire World.
- ↑ "Tom Clare". Macclesfield F.C. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ↑ "Pontefract sign up Clare". Non-League Yorkshire. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ↑ "Tom Clare: Love Island signs up Macclesfield striker for latest series in South Africa". Sky Sports.
- ↑ "Macclesfield FC striker Tom Clare to appear in new Love Island series". Cheshire Live.
- ↑ Leah, Ben (7 March 2024). "TOM CLARE IS BACK!". Macclesfield FC Official Website.
- ↑ "Former Barnsley and Bradford City forward makes return to football after Love Island triumph".
- ↑ "Tom Clare, the footballer ruled out of Macclesfield's promotion bid to appear on Love Island". The Daily Telegraph.
- ↑ "Love Island: meet the Macclesfield Town footballer ready to play the field". The Independent.
- ↑ "Macclesfield Town reveal striker Tom Clare will appear on new series of Love Island, as club and director of footballer Robbie Savage give their support". Talksport.com.
- ↑ Cormack, Morgan (24 August 2024). "Who is Tom Clare? Love Island: All Stars 2024 contestant who dated Samie Elishi". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ↑ Leaver-Rylah, Kendra (10 March 2026). "The Engagement Story With Molly Smith & Tom Clare". The Wedding Edition. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- ↑ "Macclesfield Secure West Division". www.thenpl.co.uk. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ↑ "Macclesfield FC: Silkmen crowned champions in first season". BBC Sport. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.