Craig Clay

Craig William Clay (born 5 May 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL League Two club Leyton Orient.

Club Career

Chesterfield

Clay was born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. He started his career with Chesterfield's youth system in 2008 and was part of the team that won the Youth League. He was named Chesterfield's Young Player of the Year for the 2008–09 season. His first involvement with the first team came as an unused substitute in a League Two match against Torquay United on 16 January 2010. He made the bench on a number occasions through the rest of 2009–10, but did not make an appearance.

He signed a two-year professional contract with Chesterfield in June 2010. 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. 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. On 28 October 2010, Clay joined Conference Premier club Barrow on a one-month loan with Chesterfield teammate Tendayi Darikwa. His only appearance for Barrow came two days later, in a 5–0 defeat away to Rushden & Diamonds. He made four appearances and scored one goal for Chesterfield in 2010–11, in which the club was promoted to League One as League Two champions.

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. 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. Clay finished the loan with one goal in four appearances. He made one more appearance for Chesterfield before the end of 2011–12, which he finished with eight appearances as the club was relegated to League Two in 22nd place.

He signed a new one-year contract with Chesterfield in May 2012. His only goal of 2012–13