A FORMER Bradford (Park Avenue) player is set to star in the new series of Love Island.

Tom Clare, 23, who played for Avenue during the 2019-20 season and was on the books at Bradford City, is one of the latest crop of contestants on the popular ITV2 dating programme.

The winter series of the show, set for a villa in South Africa, will be presented by Maya Jama and begins on Monday, January 16.

 

Clare has links to two Bradford football teams.

He joined Bradford City in summer 2018 but did not make an appearance for the first team.

He moved across the city to the Avenue’s Horsfall Stadium home after his contract had been terminated by mutual consent at National League North rivals Boston United in November 2019.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Tom Clare, left, pictured during his Bradford (Park Avenue) spellTom Clare, left, pictured during his Bradford (Park Avenue) spell (Image: John Rhodes)

This year’s islanders are set for a shock as bombshells enter the villa to shake things up.

In previous years, the public had to wait with the islanders to see who would make their shock entrance.

But this year has seen a new twist, as the public can vote for which bombshell will be entering first.

 

Clare is one of two bombshells, as he is also going head-to-head with fellow contestant Ellie, 25, from Norwich, on who will be the first sent into the villa. Voting closes on the Love Island social media channels at 9pm on Friday, January 13.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Tom Clare is battling it out with Ellie to be voted in as the first Love Island bombshellTom Clare is battling it out with Ellie to be voted in as the first Love Island bombshell (Image: ITV)

His current club, Macclesfield, confirmed Clare’s unusual mid-season move, tweeting: “Macclesfield FC can confirm that the club have granted Tom Clare an extended period of leave in order to appear in this year’s Love Island competition.

“Tom approached us with the request a number of weeks ago and we were happy to show the same loyalty that he has to us since becoming one of our first-ever signings back in 2021.

 

“Despite the fact that we are disappointed to lose a player of Tom’s calibre for the foreseeable future, we also recognise the incredible opportunity that this represents for both him and his family on a personal level.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: New Love Island presenter Maya Jama New Love Island presenter Maya Jama (Image: ITV)

The club statement added that he is still in their plans and Clare wants to return to action for Macclesfield after his appearance on the show.

After his season at Avenue, Clare joined Northern Premier League side Buxton for the 2020-21 season.

The 6ft 5ins striker also had a spell at Barnsley.

The youngster was loaned to Boston in March 2020 before signing permanently for them. Although his stay at the Lincolnshire club only resulted in five goals from 15 matches.

 

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