Former EFL turned non league footballer Tom Clare joins the 2023 cast of Love Island, leaving the club temporarily to go to South Africa.
The 6ft5 striker came through the youth ranks at Barnsley, before signing for the likes of Bradford City, Boston, Bradford (PA), Buxton, Pontefract, and is now with Macclesfield these days.
He linked up with the Silkmen in June 2021, helping guide the club win the North West Counties Premier Division title, sealing promotion to the 8th tier of the English football.
He managed to be the club’s top goalscorer for the 2021/22 season and signed a new deal until 2024 in the summer, but for the time being, won’t be part of the club’s squad mid-season as he flies out to South Africa for Love Island’s winter instalment with new host Maya Jama.
Clare is to head into the villa as the ‘first bombshells’ and his club has since released a statement on Thursday (January 12).
A Macclesfield FC statement read: “Macclesfield FC can confirm that the club have granted Tom Clare an extended period of leave in order to appear in this year’s Love Island competition.
“Tom approached us with the request a number of weeks ago and we were happy to show the same loyalty that he has to us since becoming one of our first-ever signings back in 2021.
“Despite the fact that we are disappointed to lose a player of Tom’s calibre for the foreseeable future, we also recognise the incredible opportunity that this represents for both him and his family on a personal level.
“Tom remains very much part of our plans here at the Leasing.com Stadium and has expressed his unwavering desire to return to the club after the show.
“We wish Tom every success and look forward to welcoming him back to the club in due course.”
As many as nine footballers have appeared in the previous seven seasons, so it’s always likely in upcoming series we’ll see more and more feature.
Dennon Lewis – season 5
Aaron Simpson – season 7
Finn Tapp – season 6
Mike Thalassitis – season 3
Luke Trotman – season six
Mike Boateng – season 6
Toby Aromolaran – season 7
Luis Morrison-Derbyshire – Season 1
Adam Jukes – Season 2
Fans gave their reaction as former EFL turned non league footballer Tom Clare joins the 2023 cast of Love Island…
@rossh3976_ross: Ffs. Grow a backbone and tell him he either stays or gets sacked for breach of contract.
@sco060: Embarrassing that. What’s happened to football?
@lewisjackox: ahahahah ur club becomes more embarrassing every day
@matty_appleby: Opportunity for his family I’m guessing he doesn’t have a wife a kids 😉😂
@danny_bhoy88: Not sure whats more embarrassing, him asking to go on a show, the club agreeing to it, or Robbie Savage retweeting it. FFS 😬
@N1JYX: It’s called money. Fair play to Macclesfield here, it’s the right decision. Had they refused, there is a strong chance he would have gone onto LI and then just got a contract with another club when he is back. All sides win (eventually) by allowing him to go
@J_Schofield4: Savage will do anything to get the club some publicity
@sasummerfield11: Yeah that’s really commitment from your player. Football becoming more and more of a sideshow because of things like this, Macclesfield should have denied this request outright, no questions asked.
@MttChlk: It’s non-league football, the likelihood of the lad making the lower leagues is slim. Let him be, if he wants to do Love Island so be it. I don’t understand the overreaction by people.
@TheBimal: Obviously feels it’s more important to show off some six pacs and have some fun with half naked women than work hard in the winter for his employers. What would most men choose? 💁🏽♂️
@JamesBrownEFC: Showing support is almost as embarrassing as the show itself
@Official_ORF: Enoughs enough #SavageOut
@DaleJudges: Some absolute saps in these comments. He’s a part time non league footballer this is a great opportunity for him why would he not go for it. He hasn’t he hardly gets any get time at macc currently anyway.
@cockneyhatter: Jesus Christ 🤣🤣🤣 The club that keeps on giving 🤡
@karenclohessy: Never watched Love Island in my life, but I will now, go and smash it Tom … 💙💙💙
@samduff23_: absolutely embarrassing
@eugeneh84: Another non league player going on the show. Part-time footballers, full-time shaggers.
@Eamon_K_: Must be really really really bad at football wtf is this
@rjb_1998: Think we can all agree, funny, but don’t understand people who are rattled about an 8th tier footballer going on a reality show lmao
@kitaka3: Players had to prove that they belong in their respective clubs now we have wankers making mockery of the game
@Ajp08Three: Giving up on football for @LoveIsland is crazy.
@JoeyBigBelly: They’re going to have to add this to @FootballManager for regens soon
@J_W99_: One of the many things wrong with modern football
@bantam79: One of Edin’s finest purchases #bcafc
@rahunt93: Lower and Non-League teams are going to have to start putting a No Love Island clause in there players’ contracts
@SGDoubleUp: That is embarrassing what is happening to football
@Scousepirlo3: Imagine telling ya grandad or dad that u not playing footy cos u wanna go on love island
@TDWigan1992: That club is fucked
The absolute disrespect of this man to @thesilkmen and @NorthernPremLge.
Going on @LoveIsland mid season during a promotion push that isn’t as certain that everyone enticipated…So tinpot.
He’s shown ‘loyalty’ since 2021… 😄 🤣 #NonLeague #NonLeagueFootball https://t.co/zF5eFpVmlX
— Sporting Badger (@LostInTheSmog) January 12, 2023

You must be logged in to post a comment Login