Sports Scientist Dr. Niall Clark extends stint at Chennaiyin FC

ISL 2017-18 champions Chennaiyin FC are proud to announce that Sports Scientist Dr. Niall Clark has renewed his contract with the club by one year. Alongside Head Coach John Gregory, Dr. Clark played an integral role in ensuring the entire squad was in perfect shape to endure a longer ISL season that included hectic schedules with games coming thick and fast on multiple occasions.

Dr. Clark’s rich experience in the field of Sports Science and efficient methodology in looking after the players’ fitness meant the team went through the entire season without any serious injuries. Dr. Clark can also be credited for Chennaiyin FC scoring 11 of their 31 goals in the last 10 minutes of matches, the most by any team in the last ISL season, indicating top fitness levels among players who delivered in trying conditions. The acumen Dr. Clark brought to the table, an English Premier League title winner with Manchester City who has also worked with the likes of Crystal Palace, Reading, West Ham United and Charlton Athletic, and with FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters in India, helped the team acclimatize quickly to the surroundings they were subjected to.

“ I’m happy to sign on with Chennaiyin FC for one more year. I’ve had the privilege to work with an incredibly professional squad that looked after itself very well. The result of the hard work put in by the boys is our spotless injury record, top fitness and goalscoring record in later stages of matches, and in that we’re champions! I’ve enjoyed my time at Chennaiyin FC and I’m now looking forward to the next season,” said Dr. Clark after signing a one-year extension.

The players and coaching staff understand the importance of Dr. Clark’s inputs and the transformation he has brought about in the squad. Along with the serious work he puts into the players’ fitness, there’s also an element of fun and camaraderie in Dr. Clark’s routines. He keeps the players thoroughly engaged with a different routine every training day, further helping improve their footballing skills and match awareness. With Dr. Clark ensuring the boys’ optimum fitness and physical conditioning, Head Coach John Gregory had the entire squad of 25 players at his disposal all season long.

“In Niall, we have one of the best in the business when it comes to Sports Science. He tracks the players’ progress day-in, day-out and looks after them very well. His inputs have been immensely important in getting the most out of the entire squad. We had zero injuries all season and a lot of the credit for that goes to Niall. I’m delighted about him extending his contract with us, our focus now firmly set on improving further next season, with the AFC Cup commitments imminent as well,” said the gaffer John Gregory.