{{short description|English footballer (born 1992)}} {{Use British English|date=September 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Craig Clay | image = Craig Clay 07-09-2013 1.jpg | caption = Clay playing for York City in 2013 | fullname = Craig William Clay<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/201920/squad-numbering-report-season-2019-20-07.02.20.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Leyton Orient |publisher=English Football League |page=45 |access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|5|5|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/craig-clay-230775/ |title=Craig Clay |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref> | birth_place = Nottingham, England | height = {{convert|1.80|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leytonorient.com/players/craig-clay/ |title=Craig Clay |publisher=Leyton Orient F.C. |access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref> | position = Central midfielder<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe225900/craig-clay/ |title=Craig Clay: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref> | currentclub = Kelty Hearts | clubnumber = 15 | youthyears1 = 2008–2010 | youthclubs1 = Chesterfield | years1 = 2010–2013 | clubs1 = Chesterfield | caps1 = 27 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2010 | clubs2 = → Barrow (loan) | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2012 | clubs3 = → Alfreton Town (loan) | caps3 = 4 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 2013–2014 | clubs4 = York City | caps4 = 8 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2014 | clubs5 = FC Halifax Town | caps5 = 4 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2014 | clubs6 = Worksop Town | caps6 = 9 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2014–2016 | clubs7 = Grimsby Town | caps7 = 74 | goals7 = 5 | years8 = 2016–2017 | clubs8 = Motherwell | caps8 = 35 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2017–2023 | clubs9 = Leyton Orient | caps9 = 210 | goals9 = 6 | years10 = 2023–2024 | clubs10 = Sutton United | caps10 = 27 | goals10 = 1 | years11 = 2024–2025 | clubs11 = Dunfermline Athletic | caps11 = 18 | goals11 = 0 | years12 = 2025– | clubs12 = Kelty Hearts | caps12 = 30 | goals12 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2016 | nationalteam1 = England C | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 4 May 2026 | nationalteam-update = }} '''Craig William Clay''' (born 5 May 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Scottish League One side Kelty Hearts as a centre-back or midfielder.
He has previously had spells as a professional for Chesterfield, York City, Grimsby Town and Motherwell before a four-year spell with Leyton Orient where he won several promotions and was voted the player of the year in 2019. He has also played semi-professionally for Barrow, Alfreton Town, FC Halifax Town and Worksop Town. In 2016 he was capped once by England C.
==Club career== ===Chesterfield=== Clay was born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.<ref>{{Hugman|22599|accessdate=10 April 2020}}</ref> He started his career with Chesterfield's youth system in 2008 and was part of the team that won the Youth League.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tony |last=Kelly |title=Craig Clay plots to bring passion to York City's central midfield |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10442065.Craig_Clay_plots_to_bring_passion_to_York_City_s_central_midfield/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=24 May 2013 |access-date=2 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=443167&tcmuri=13380 |title=Player profile: Craig Clay |publisher=Chesterfield F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319145241/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=443167&tcmuri=13380 |archive-date=19 March 2013}}</ref> He was named Chesterfield's Young Player of the Year for the 2008–09 season.<ref name=ChesterfieldYPOTY>{{cite news |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/two-awards-for-hotshot-jack-1-484393 |title=Two awards for hotshot Jack |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |location=Chesterfield |date=13 May 2009 |access-date=24 June 2018}}</ref> His first involvement with the first team came as an unused substitute in a League Two match against Torquay United on 16 January 2010.<ref name=Results0910>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=656&teamTabs=results&season_id=139 |title=Chesterfield: Results/matches: 2009/10 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> He made the bench on a number occasions through the rest of 2009–10, but did not make an appearance.<ref name=Results0910/>
He signed a two-year professional contract with Chesterfield in June 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/contracts-for-five-youngsters-1-845344 |title=Contracts for five youngsters |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |location=Chesterfield |date=2 June 2010 |access-date=29 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021641/https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/contracts-for-five-youngsters-1-845344 |archive-date=25 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 18 September 2010, in a 3–0 home win over Cheltenham Town, replacing Mark Allott in the 85th minute.<ref name=sb1011/> On 2 October 2010, he scored his first professional goal with a 25-yard shot during stoppage time to earn a 5–5 draw at home to Crewe Alexandra.<ref name=sb1011/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/9036831.stm |title=Chesterfield 5–5 Crewe |website=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2010 |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> On 28 October 2010, Clay joined Conference Premier club Barrow on a one-month loan with Chesterfield teammate Tendayi Darikwa.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/barrow/9137173.stm |title=Barrow sign Clay and Darikwa on loan from Chesterfield |website=BBC Sport |date=28 October 2010 |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> His only appearance for Barrow came two days later, in a 5–0 defeat away to Rushden & Diamonds.<ref name=NLCD2012/> He made four appearances and scored one goal for Chesterfield in 2010–11,<ref name=sb1011/> in which the club was promoted to League One as League Two champions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=8 |title=League Two: 2010/11: Latest table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref>
Clay was loaned out by Chesterfield for a second time on 20 January 2012, joining Conference Premier club Alfreton Town on a one-month loan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/news/law-adds-craig-clay-on-loan-1449.htm |title=Law adds Craig Clay on loan |publisher=Alfreton Town F.C. |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=17 May 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025742/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/news/law-adds-craig-clay-on-loan-1449.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/two-more-go-out-on-loan-1-4176107 |title=Two more go out on loan |newspaper=Derbyshire Times |location=Chesterfield |date=25 January 2012 |access-date=29 March 2018 |archive-date=29 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329222744/https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/two-more-go-out-on-loan-1-4176107 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Four days later, he scored Alfreton's third goal in a 3–0 win away to Bath City on his debut with a shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 90th minute.<ref name=sb1112/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16589202 |title=Bath City 0–3 Alfreton |website=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2012 |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Clay finished the loan with one goal in four appearances.<ref name=Soccerway/> He made one more appearance for Chesterfield before the end of 2011–12, which he finished with eight appearances<ref name=sb1112/> as the club was relegated to League Two in 22nd place.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=941 |title=League One: 2011/12: Latest table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref>
He signed a new one-year contract with Chesterfield in May 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18115857 |title=Chesterfield trio agree new contracts |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2012 |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> His only goal of 2012–13 came in a 6–1 win over League One team Hartlepool United in the FA Cup first round on 3 November 2012.<ref name=sb1213/> Clay had a double hernia operation in March 2013 and after returning made one more appearance before the end of the season, as an 89th-minute substitute in a 2–0 victory away to Barnet on 6 April.<ref name=sb1213/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chesterfieldpost.co.uk/sport/chest_fc/09_2010/sports_cfc_00000677.html |title=The Paul Cook interview – Spireites hope to keep abreast of the Robins |newspaper=Chesterfield Post |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=17 May 2013}}</ref> He was released by Chesterfield on 29 April 2013<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22340922 |title=Chesterfield release seven players as Tommy Wright leaves |website=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> after making 23 appearances and scoring one goal in 2012–13.<ref name=sb1213/>
===York City=== [[File:Craig Clay 07-09-2013 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Clay playing for York City in 2013]]
Clay signed for League Two club York City on 17 May 2013 on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22567641 |title=York City: Ryan Jarvis and Craig Clay join on free transfers |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10427231.Star_turn_Nigel_Worthington_key_in_York_City_signings/ |title=Star turn Nigel Worthington tempts York City's new signings Ryan Jarvis and Craig Clay |first=Tony |last=Kelly |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=18 May 2013 |access-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> He made his debut in a 1–0 home win over Northampton Town on 3 August 2013, in the first match of 2013–14.<ref name=sb1314/> Having made 10 appearances for York,<ref name=sb1314/> Clay left the club by mutual consent on 13 January 2014, along with Jamal Fyfield.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/clay-fyfield-depart-1291156.aspx |title=Clay and Fyfield depart |publisher=York City F.C. |date=13 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702140025/http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/clay-fyfield-depart-1291156.aspx |archive-date=2 July 2016}}</ref>
===FC Halifax Town and Worksop Town=== He signed for Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town on 16 January 2014 on a one-month contract<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.halifaxafc.co.uk/news/article/jackson-and-clay-signing-1186760.aspx |title=Duo sign for Shaymen |publisher=FC Halifax Town |date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604135406/http://www.halifaxafc.co.uk/news/article/jackson-and-clay-signing-1186760.aspx |archive-date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/fc-halifax-town/midfielder-clay-released-by-town-1-6459101 |title=Midfielder Clay released by Town |newspaper=Halifax Courier |date=24 February 2014 |access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref> and made his debut two days later in a 1–1 home draw with Cambridge United.<ref name=Soccerway/> After making four appearances for the club he was released on 24 February 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.halifaxafc.co.uk/news/article/clay-leaves-town-1282977.aspx |title=Craig Clay leaves FC Halifax Town |publisher=FC Halifax Town |date=24 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220075417/http://www.halifaxafc.co.uk/news/article/clay-leaves-town-1282977.aspx |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> Nearly a month later, Clay signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Worksop Town on 21 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/2014/03/21/new-signing-craig-clay/ |title=New signing – Craig Clay |publisher=Worksop Town F.C. |date=21 March 2014 |access-date=24 March 2014 |archive-date=24 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324154901/http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/2014/03/21/new-signing-craig-clay/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his debut the following day as an 84th-minute substitute for Shane Clarke in a 2–0 away win over Stafford Rangers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/match/1655/ |title=Stafford Rangers vs Worksop Town FC |publisher=Worksop Town F.C. |date=22 March 2014 |access-date=24 March 2014 |archive-date=24 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324154634/http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/match/1655/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Grimsby Town=== Clay signed for Conference Premier club Grimsby Town on 28 July 2014 on a one-year contract, having spent the pre-season on trial.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/SIGNING-ALERT-Grimsby-Town-snap-Jon-Paul-Pittman/story-21962415-detail/story.html |title=Grimsby Town snap up Jon-Paul Pittman and Craig Clay |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=21 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924041347/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/SIGNING-ALERT-Grimsby-Town-snap-Jon-Paul-Pittman/story-21962415-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> On 15 May 2016, he started for Grimsby as they beat Forest Green Rovers 3–1 at Wembley Stadium in the 2016 National League play-off final.<ref name=2016pofinal>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36244418 |title=Forest Green Rovers 1–3 Grimsby Town |first=Tom |last=Garry |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2016 |access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref> This meant Grimsby were promoted to League Two, after a six-year absence from the Football League.<ref name=2016pofinal/> Clay was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2015–16 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/grimsby-town-retained-list-ins-outs-blundell-park/story-29314310-detail/story.html |title=Grimsby Town retained list: Who are the ins and outs at Blundell Park? |first=Liam |last=Wood |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525134029/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/grimsby-town-retained-list-ins-outs-blundell-park/story-29314310-detail/story.html |archive-date=25 May 2016}}</ref>
===Motherwell=== Upon his release from Grimsby, Clay joined South African Premier Division club Bidvest Wits on trial.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/craig-clay-has-begun-training-with-bidvest-wits/233532 |title=English midfielder arrives for Wits training |first=Joe |last=Crann |website=Soccer Laduma |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref> Clay then joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on trial,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14680375.Craig_Clay_gamble_pays_off_to_land_Motherwell_contract/ |title=Craig Clay gamble pays off to land Motherwell contract |first=Scott |last=Mullen |newspaper=The Herald |location=Glasgow |date=12 August 2016 |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 victory over East Stirlingshire in the Scottish League Cup on 26 July 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36831778 |title=Motherwell 3–0 East Stirlingshire |first=Chick |last=Young |website=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2016 |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> Clay made his league debut on 6 August 2016 in a 2–1 victory away to Kilmarnock,<ref name=sb1617/> before signing a two-year contract with the club on 10 August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2016/08/10/craig-clay-joins-the-steelmen/ |title=Craig Clay joins the Steelmen |publisher=Motherwell F.C. |date=10 August 2016 |access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on 28 December 2016, in a 2–1 win away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2016/12/29/inverness-ct-1-2-motherwell-4/ |title=Inverness CT 1–2 Motherwell |publisher=Motherwell F.C. |date=29 December 2016 |access-date=31 December 2016}}</ref>
===Leyton Orient=== Clay signed for newly relegated National League club Leyton Orient on 17 July 2017 on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40635923 |title=Craig Clay: Leyton Orient sign midfielder from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell |website=BBC Sport |date=17 July 2017 |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> He went on to win both the National League and EFL League Two titles with the club over the 6 years he was with them. His contract was not renewed at the end of the 2022/23 season.
===Sutton United=== On 30 June 2023, Clay signed for EFL League Two side Sutton United.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt makes double swoop |url=https://www.suttonunited.net/news/2023/june/matt-makes-double-swoop/ |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=www.suttonunited.net |language=en-gb }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
===Dunfermline Athletic=== Clay signed for Dunfermline Athletic of the Scottish second tier in September 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dafc.co.uk/craig-clay-is-a-par/ | title=Craig Clay is a Par | Dunfermline Athletic Football Club - | date=20 September 2024 }}</ref>
=== Kelty Hearts === Clay agreed a deal to join Kelty Hearts in June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Ross |date=2025-06-13 |title=Clay makes Kelty move after Pars departure |url=https://www.centralfifetimes.com/sport/25237546.former-dunfermline-midfielder-craig-clay-joins-kelty-hearts/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=Central Fife Times |language=en}}</ref>
==International career== Clay made his debut for the England C national team as a substitute in their 2–0 away win over Ukraine under-20s in the International Challenge Trophy on 22 March 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/live-grimsby-town-s-craig-clay-plays-england-c/story-28969256-detail/story.html |title=Recap: Grimsby Town's Craig Clay plays the final minutes of England C victory |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=23 March 2016 |access-date=7 December 2016}}{{dead link|date=March 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 2 April 2021}}
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|Includes League Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=5|Chesterfield |2009–10<ref name=sb0910>{{soccerbase season|53193|2009|accessdate=5 May 2016}}</ref> |League Two |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2010–11<ref name=sb1011>{{soccerbase season|53193|2010|accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref> |League Two |3||1||0||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}}||0||4||1 |- |2011–12<ref name=sb1112>{{soccerbase season|53193|2011|accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref> |League One |5||0||1||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||8||0 |- |2012–13<ref name=sb1213>{{soccerbase season|53193|2012|accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref> |League Two |19||0||2||1||0||0||2{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||23||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !27||1||3||1||1||0||4||0||35||2 |- |Barrow (loan) |2010–11<ref name=NLCD2012>{{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-70-1 |pages=34–35}}</ref> |Conference Premier |1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||1||0 |- |Alfreton Town (loan) |2011–12<ref name=Soccerway/> |Conference Premier |4||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||4||1 |- |York City |2013–14<ref name=sb1314>{{soccerbase season|53193|2013|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref> |League Two |8||0||1||0||1||0||0||0||10||0 |- |FC Halifax Town |2013–14<ref name=Soccerway/> |Conference Premier |4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4||0 |- |Worksop Town |2013–14<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/match-reports-2/ |publisher=Worksop Town F.C. |title=Match reports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622093405/http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/match-reports-2/ |archive-date=22 June 2014}}</ref> |NPL Premier Division |9||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||9||0 |- |rowspan=3|Grimsby Town |2014–15<ref name=Soccerway/> |Conference Premier |39||2||2||0||colspan=2|—||6{{efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference Premier play-offs}}||0||47||2 |- |2015–16<ref name=Soccerway/> |National League |35||3||4||0||colspan=2|—||5{{efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy, two in National League play-offs}}||0||44||3 |- !colspan=2|Total !74||5||6||0||colspan=2|—||11||0||91||5 |- |rowspan=3|Motherwell |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{soccerbase season|53193|2016|accessdate=17 July 2017}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |35||1||1||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||39||1 |- |2017–18<ref name=sb1718>{{soccerbase season|53193|2017|accessdate=17 July 2017}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !35||1||1||0||3||0||0||0||39||1 |- |rowspan=5|Leyton Orient |2017–18<ref name=Soccerway/> |National League |43||4||2||0||colspan=2|—||4{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances in FA Trophy}}||0||49||4 |- |2018–19<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/craig-clay/133530/ |title=C. Clay: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref> |National League |43||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||5{{efn|name=FAT}}||1||48||1 |- |2019–20<ref name=sb1920>{{soccerbase season|53193|2019|accessdate=10 April 2020}}</ref> |League Two |35||0||1||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||39||0 |- |2020–21<ref name=sb2021>{{soccerbase season|53193|2020|accessdate=6 March 2021}}</ref> |League Two |31||1||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||36||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !152||5||4||0||2||0||14||1||172||6 |- !colspan=3|Career total !314||13||15||1||7||0||29||1||365||15 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Grimsby Town''' *National League play-offs: 2016<ref name=2016pofinal/> *FA Trophy runner-up: 2015–16<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/22/fc-halifax-town-grimsby-town-fa-trophy-final-match-report |title=Scott McManus strikes for Halifax to beat Grimsby in FA Trophy final |author=Alan Smith |work=The Guardian |date=22 May 2016 |access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref>
'''Leyton Orient'''
* EFL League Two: 2022–23<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2023 |title=Leyton Orient 2-0 Crewe: Richie Wellens' side seal League Two title |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/leyton-orient-vs-crewe-alexandra/report/468899 |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=Sky Sports}}</ref> *National League: 2018–19<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1647 |title=National League: 2018/19: Latest table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=26 July 2019}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/leyton-orient-fc/744/squad/ |title=Leyton Orient FC: Squad |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> *FA Trophy runner-up: 2018–19<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48314552 |title=AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient |first=Rob |last=Stevens |website=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2019 |access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *Chesterfield Young Player of the Year: 2008–09<ref name=ChesterfieldYPOTY/> *Grimsby Town Young Player of the Year: 2014–15<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefishy.co.uk/story.php?id=8150226 |title=Supporters Young Players of the Year |first=Rob |last=Sedgwick |website=The Fishy |date=13 June 2017 |access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.leytonorient.com/teams/first-team/midfielder/craig-clay/ Profile] at the Leyton Orient F.C. website *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Kelty Hearts F.C. squad}} {{Leyton Orient F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clay, Craig}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Nottingham Category:English men's footballers Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Chesterfield F.C. players Category:Barrow A.F.C. players Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players Category:York City F.C. players Category:FC Halifax Town players Category:Worksop Town F.C. players Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players Category:Motherwell F.C. players Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players Category:Sutton United F.C. players Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players Category:Kelty Hearts F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Northern Premier League players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen