Clint Boulton

Clinton William Boulton (6 January 1948 – 1 January 2021) was an English professional footballer. A defender, he made 506 league appearances in a 14-year career in the Football League.

He began his professional career with Port Vale in August 1965. He went on to play 267 league and cup games for the club, helping the "Valiants" to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1969–70. He was sold to Torquay United for a fee of £10,000 in November 1971. He remained with the "Gulls" for the next eight years, playing 286 games in all competitions. He left the club in 1979 and later played for non-League side Minehead.

Career Port Vale Clinton William Boulton was born on 6 January 1948 in Stoke-on-Trent. Brought up in Bucknall, he went to school in Cellarhead. He began his career as an apprentice with local Football League club Port Vale in July 1963. He chose to begin his career at Vale rather than Potteries derby rivals Stoke City as he reasoned he had a better chance of breaking into the first-team for the lower ranked Vale. He made his debut on Boxing day 1964, in a 3–0 defeat to Hull City at Vale Park, having been tasked with marking Ken Wagstaff. At the age of 16 years and 354 days, he became the youngest player in the club's history. He played five games of the 1964–65 season, as the "Valiants" were relegated out of the Third Division under Jackie Mudie. He turned professional in August 1965 at the age of 17, and made 20 appearances in 1965–66. He played a total of 267 games for Port Vale in all competitions, scoring 12 times. He later played for Southern League side Minehead, as well as Galmpton United and Foxhole United.

Style of play An adaptable defender, he was also able to play in midfield.

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1964–65 Third Division

1965–66 Fourth Division

1966–67 Fourth Division

1967–68 Fourth Division

1968–69 Fourth Division

1969–70 Fourth Division

1970–71 Third Division

1971–72 Third Division

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1971–72 Third Division

1972–73 Fourth Division

1973–74 Fourth Division

1974–75 Fourth Division

1975–76 Fourth Division

1976–77 Fourth Division

1977–78 Fourth Division

1978–79 Fourth Division

1979–80 Fourth Division

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Honours Individual Torquay United F.C. Player of the Year: 1976–77

Port Vale Football League Fourth Division fourth-place promotion: 1969–70