Tom Clare (footballer)

Tom Clare  (born 2 September 1999) is an English footballer and reality TV contestant who plays as a Forward for Macclesfield.

In 2023, he came third place on the ninth series of Love Island. In 2024, he won the first series of Love Island: All Stars, alongside his girlfriend Molly Smith.

Football career
Clare came through the academy at Barnsley and joined Bradford City in 2018 but never made an appearance for the first team. He joined Boston United initially on loan from Bradford, before signing a contract with them in June 2019. After a loan spell with Frickley Athletic, Clare left Boston in November 2019. Having spent time at Bradford (Park Avenue), Buxton and Pontefract Collieries, Clare was one of Macclesfield FC's first signings when the club reformed and he signed a contract with the club in June 2021. He was top scorer during Macclesfield’s 2021-22 season with 23 goals and he signed a new 2-year contract in the spring of 2022.

In March 2024 he returned to former club Macclesfield.

Love Island
Clare was given permission by his club to leave Macclesfield mid-season in January 2023 to appear as a contestant on the ninth series of ITV2 reality television show Love Island. Macclesfield director of football Robbie Savage reportedly gave his support and advice to Clare about the television appearance. In January 2024, he returned for the eleventh series of the show, fought off the growing public opinion that his girlfriend Molly should reignite her relationship with her ex-boyfriend Callum Jones, and won it, entitled Love Island: All-Stars.

Honours
Macclesfield
 * NPL Division One West 2022–23
 * NWCFL Premier Division: 2021–22