Chris Clements (footballer)

Career

Crewe Alexandra

Clements began his career with Crewe Alexandra as a member of the club's renowned academy. His career debut came in a loan spell at Nantwich Town in 2008. Following this loan, Clements was sent out on loan to Leigh Genesis during the 2008–09 season, and also to Stafford Rangers, before signing his first professional contract with Crewe. Having signed his first contract, in 2009 Clements was loaned out once more, this time alongside A-Jay Leitch-Smith, to Icelandic club ÍBV, before returning to England early due to an injury crisis at his parent club.

Clements made his debut for Crewe on 7 November 2009, in a 3–2 FA Cup first round defeat away at Conference National side York City; starting on the substitutes' bench, he replaced James Bailey in the 90th minute. This proved to be Clements' only appearance for Crewe; at the end of the 2009–10 season, when his contract expired, he was released by the club.

Hednesford Town

In the summer of 2010, Clements joined Hednesford Town; he had a two-season stint at the club. He picked up the young player of the year award at the end of the 2011–12 season at the Northern Premier League's annual event.

Mansfield Town

Clements played as a trialist for Burnley's reserve side in a 3–1 win over Tranmere Rovers on 30 April 2012. In spite of the trial being unsuccessful, Clements was signed by Mansfield Town at the beginning of June 2012. After helping the Stags to the 2012–13 Conference National title, Clements was awarded a new contract at the club for 2013–14.

Grimsby Town

On 18 January 2017, Clements signed an 18-month contract with newly promoted League Two side Grimsby Town. He scored the opening goal on his debut for the club on 4 February 2017, a 56th-minute header, in a 1–1 draw against Luton Town. Clements didn't feature in a first team game for Grimsby during the 2017–18 campaign, mainly for personal reasons and the need to gain match fitness.

He joined National League side Barrow on 29 September 2017 on a three-month loan deal. He debuted one day later in their 1–0 home defeat against Maidstone, and made seven appearances for Barrow before the loan expired on 25 November 2017. Clements joined newly promoted League Two side Forest Green Rovers on 31 January 2018, transfer deadline day, until the end of season. He debuted three days later, coming on in the 63rd minute as a substitute, in their 2–1 home victory against Coventry City. On 24 May 2018 Clements was released by Grimsby.

Cheltenham Town

In August 2018, Clements joined Cheltenham Town on a short-term deal. In May 2019 he signed a new one-year contract to remain at Cheltenham for the 2019-20 season. He helped Cheltenham reach the 2019-20 League Two play-offs, only for the team to bow out losing 3-2 on aggregate to Northampton Town over two legs.

In August 2020, he signed a new one-year contract to stay at Cheltenham for the 2020-21 season.

Non-League football

On 18 September 2021, Clements signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Nuneaton Borough. On 22 September 2022, Clements departed Nuneaton Borough to return to league rivals Hednesford Town, ten years after departing the club previously.

Clements returned to Stafford Rangers during the 2022–23 season.

In June 2023, Clements signed for Alvechurch.

In June 2025, Clements joined Northern Premier League Division One Midlands club Racing Club Warwick.

Career statistics

Honours

Player

Hednesford Town

• Southern League Cup (1): 2010–11

Mansfield Town

• Conference Premier Champions: 2012–13

Cheltenham Town

• League Two Champions: 2020-21

Individual

• Northern Premier League Young Player of the Year award: 2011–12

References

References

1. "List of Players under Written Contract Transferred Between 01/05/2012 and 31/05/2012". The Football Association.
2. (22 April 2008). "Crewe offer deals to youngsters". BBC Sport.
3. (2 September 2009). "Teen duo recalled from loan in Iceland". Crewe Chronicle.
4. Sutcliffe, Steve. (5 September 2009). "First Team Chance At Alex For Loan Duo". League Football Education (LFE).
5. (7 November 2009). "York 3–2 Crewe". BBC Sport.
6. (29 March 2012). "Hednesford duo are Pitmen star men". The Express & Star.
7. Scholes, Tony. (30 April 2012). "Clarets Jetta-Son Tranmere". Digital Sports Group.
8. (1 June 2012). "Mansfield Town sign Jamie Tolley and Chris Clements". BBC Sport.
9. Dannatt, Matt. (19 January 2017). "Mariners SIGN Chris Clements from Mansfield Town". Grimsby Telegraph.
10. Lomas, John. (19 January 2017). "A fond farewell as Clements joins Grimsby Town". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad.
11. (4 February 2017). "Grimsby 1–1 Luton". BBC Sport.
12. Findlater, James. (30 September 2017). "Chris Clements 'needs to get games under his belt' - Grimsby Town boss on midfielder's loan move". Grimsby Telegraph.
13. Findlater, James. (29 September 2017). "Grimsby Town midfielder Chris Clements joins National League side Barrow on loan". Grimsby Telegraph.
14. Palmer, Jon. (31 January 2018). "Forest Green Rovers sign Grimsby Town midfielder". Gloucestershire Live.
15. Garry, Tom. (3 February 2018). "Forest Green Rovers 2–1 Coventry City". BBC Sport.
16. "Chris Clements Set to Leave".
17. (27 August 2018). "Chris Clements: Cheltenham Town sign unattached midfielder on short-term basis". BBC Sport.
18. (1 May 2019). "Former Crewe Alexandra, Mansfield Town and Grimsby Town midfielder Chris Clements signs contract extension at Cheltenham Town". Gloucestershire Live.
19. (22 June 2020). "Cheltenham Town 0-3 Northampton Town". BBC Sport.
20. (6 August 2020). "Chris Clements: Cheltenham Town midfielder signs one-year contract extension". BBC Sport.
21. Whitney, Steve. (18 September 2021). "Experienced midfielder joins Nuneaton". Southern Football League.
22. (22 September 2022). "PITMEN ADD A LITTLE MORE CC TO THE ENGINE".
23. "Chris Clements".
24. (August 2024)
25. (2 June 2025). "𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 ✍️ We are pleased to announce the clubs 2nd new signing for the 25/26 season 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 The midfielder joins us from Rugby Town & has made over 200 Football League appearances with Mansfield, Grimsby Town and Forest Green #UTR 🟡⚫️".
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35. "Cheltenham 4-1 Harrogate: Michael Duff's Robins clinch League Two title in style". Sky Sports.