A former professional footballer who scored a historic hat-trick in the 1993 FA Cup Final, earning him a legendary status among fans.
Clive Paul Mendonca, born on September 9, 1968, is an English former professional footballer renowned for his incredible goal-scoring prowess, particularly during his stints with Grimsby Town and Charlton Athletic. With a career spanning over 15 years, Mendonca etched his name in the annals of English football history, earning himself a cult hero status among fans.
Mendonca began his professional journey with Sheffield United in 1986, before moving to Doncaster Rovers and then Rotherham United. His impressive form eventually led him to Grimsby Town in 1992, initially on loan, but he soon became an integral part of the team. During his time with the Mariners, Mendonca scored an astonishing 60 goals in 166 appearances, cementing his status as the club's best striker in recent history.
In the summer of 1997, Mendonca made the switch to Charlton Athletic, where he enjoyed a phenomenal season, netting 28 times in the 1997-1998 campaign, including a memorable hat-trick against his hometown team, Sunderland, in the Division One playoff final at Wembley. This feat remains the last hat-trick scored by an English league team at the original Wembley Stadium.
The following season, Mendonca continued his impressive form, scoring another hat-trick in Charlton's first home game in the Premier League, a 5-0 thrashing of Southampton. Although injuries began to plague him, Mendonca's impact on the Addicks was undeniable, earning him a special place in the hearts of Charlton fans.
After retiring from professional football in 2002, Mendonca remained involved with his former clubs, participating in various charity matches and events. In 2004, he won both the BBC's Grimsby's Cult Heroes and Charlton's Cult Heroes polls, a testament to his enduring popularity among fans.
In his personal life, Mendonca is the nephew of former West Indian wicketkeeper Ivor Mendonca. Born in Islington, London, he moved to Sunderland at the age of two, where he developed his passion for football. In 2012, Mendonca auctioned off his prized possessions from his football career to support his wife's entrepreneurial venture.
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