Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
210	210	0	80	4	0	248

Mick Clamp was a remarkably versatile player. He was equally at home in the centre or on the wing, scoring 55 tries in 114 games, and he then made the transition to second row forward and scored 35 tries in 96 games. He was born within sight of the Post Office Road ground, and his try scoring ability was evident for Featherstone juniors when he scored seven tries in each of four successive games.

Signed in 1952, he was deliberately groomed in the reserves and did not make his senior debut until August 1953 at York. Even with limited appearances his form was such as to gain selection for England Under 21s v France in April 1954. Hrs first team career properly commenced in September 1954 and for almost three years he alternated as a centre and winger with equal success. Weighing 14 stone and standing at 6ft 2in, he used his build to purposeful advantage and once moving at speed he was difficult to stop. In April 1957, it was decided to move him to the second row.  He had scored 16 tries in a l7-game spell between 11 September and 26 December 1956, and one wondered how the transition would work. He scored tries in the first two games and his power play became even more effective when operating in the forwards. He benefited from the well- timed passes of Fearnley and Lambert, and had exceptional speed to take full advantage of any space.

He continued his outstanding form, but injuries disrupted his progress. He missed five matches in December 1957 and returned to face Hull KR at home when he won the game almost single-handed. Seven matches later he fractured his hand at Keighley (when he scored two tries), an injury which caused him to miss the cup games against St Helens and Workington and probably cost him a place on the 1958 tour to Australasia. Undeterred, he resumed with his usual vigour and in another outstanding game v Wigan in October, his powerful sorties were a feature and his try contributed to a 13-6 win. lt brought him selection for a RL XIII against France in November. There were mixed emotions for Clamp in 1959 - disappointment that Hull prevented Rovers reaching Wembley after another great cup win over St Helens, but partial revenge when Rovers beat Hull in October in the Yorkshire Cup final.

On 19 April 1960, he played at Castleford in what was to be his last game. With his tally of injuries, he decided to retire from the game.  This premature end to his career at the age of twenty-five deprived Rovers of an exciting player who could have gone on to greater things for both club and country. His attacking prowess and versatility made him a significant name in the history of the club.

Biography by Ron Bailey