Tom Clare: Football Career, Love Island, and Relationship

Not many footballers go from leading the line for Macclesfield to winning a reality TV show, but Tom Clare has managed both. The 24-year-old forward (born 2 September 1999) entered the Love Island villa in 2023 and left as a finalist, and since then he’s built a relationship with Molly Smith that has become one of the show’s enduring stories.

Full name: Thomas Patrick Clare · Date of birth: 2 September 1999 · Occupation: Footballer, reality TV contestant · Football position: Forward · Current club: Macclesfield · Love Island season: Season 9 (2023)

Nine key facts, one takeaway: Tom Clare’s life divides neatly into two chapters—football and reality TV—but the two are increasingly connected through media and public engagement.

Who is Tom Clare?

Tom Clare is an English footballer and reality TV contestant who came to prominence in 2023 when he appeared on the ninth series of Love Island. He plays as a forward for Macclesfield, a club in the Northern Premier League Division One West (Macclesfield FC Official Website). Before entering the villa, he had already established himself in non-league football, including a stint with Bradford City’s youth academy.

Tom Clare’s early life and football career

• Born 2 September 1999 in Barnsley, England (Transfermarkt)
• Stands 1.95 m (approx. 6’5″) tall (Transfermarkt)
• Signed by Bradford City in 2018 (Wikipedia)
• Returned to Macclesfield in March 2024 after a spell away (Wikipedia)
• Signed a one-year deal for the 2024/25 season (Macclesfield FC Official Website)

Tom Clare’s Love Island appearance

• Contestant on Love Island season 9 (2023) (Wikipedia)
• Coupled up with Samie Elishi (Wikipedia)
• Finished third place (Wikipedia)
• Returned for Love Island: All Stars (2024) and won alongside Molly Smith (Wikipedia)

The pattern: Tom Clare’s football background gave him a disciplined public persona that translated well into the reality TV environment—his height and athleticism made him a natural on beach challenges, and his non-league career gave him a relatable underdog narrative.

Are Molly and Tom Clare still together?

Yes, as of mid‑2026, Tom Clare and Molly Smith are in a committed relationship. They got engaged in September 2025 (Wikipedia) and are currently co‑hosting the NearlyWeds podcast, which they took over from Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo in February 2026 (Wikipedia).

Tom Clare’s relationship with Molly Smith

• They met on Love Island: All Stars and won the series together (Wikipedia)
• Announced their engagement in September 2025 (Wikipedia)
• Active on social media as a public couple (Influencer Matchmaker)

Wedding plans of Molly Smith and Tom Clare

• They have publicly discussed wedding planning, including potential dates (Wikipedia)
• Host the NearlyWeds podcast, which focuses on wedding and relationship topics (Wikipedia)

What this means: the couple has turned their relationship into a media brand, leveraging the Love Island platform into a podcast and sponsorship opportunities—a common trajectory for successful islanders.

Why did Samie and Tom split up?

Tom Clare and Samie Elishi were a couple on Love Island season 9 but split not long after the show ended. The exact reasons have not been publicly detailed, though both have hinted in interviews that the distance and busy schedules played a part (Wikipedia).

Tom Clare’s relationship with Samie Elishi

• Paired up on Love Island and remained together until the finale (Wikipedia)
• They finished third place (Wikipedia)
• Announced their separation a few weeks after leaving the villa (Wikipedia)

Reasons for the breakup

• No official statement was released (Wikipedia)
• Both have since moved on to new relationships (Wikipedia)

The catch: while the split was amicable in public, the lack of clear reasons leaves room for speculation, a pattern common in short-lived reality TV romances.

What is the age difference between Molly Smith and Tom Clare?

Tom Clare was born on 2 September 1999, making him 24 in 2024 (FotMob). Molly Smith’s exact birth date is not widely published, but she is estimated to be about a year younger, meaning the age gap is roughly one year or less (Influencer Matchmaker).

Tom Clare’s age

• Born 2 September 1999 (Wikipedia)
• Currently 26 (as of June 2026) (FotMob)

Molly Smith’s age

• Molly Smith is a fellow Love Island contestant, born around 2000 (Influencer Matchmaker)
• The couple’s age gap is less than two years (Influencer Matchmaker)

The implication: a small age difference is rarely a cause for friction, and both are in similar life stages, which may contribute to the stability of their relationship.

Who is the richest islander on Love Island?

Tom Clare’s net worth is not publicly verified, but he is not among the wealthiest Love Island alumni. Tommy Fury, who has a boxing career and high‑profile relationship, commands a significantly higher net worth, estimated in the millions. Other islanders like Maura Higgins and Molly-Mae Hague have also amassed considerable fortunes through brand deals and media ventures.

Tom Clare’s net worth

• Exact figure is unclear (Influencer Matchmaker)
• Income sources: football salary, reality TV appearance fees, podcast revenue, social media promotions (Influencer Matchmaker)

Comparison with other Love Island contestants

• Tommy Fury: estimated net worth £3–5 million (Transfermarkt)
• Molly Smith (partner): net worth also not disclosed (Influencer Matchmaker)
• Tom Clare’s earnings are modest compared to top tier islanders (Influencer Matchmaker)

Three contestants, one pattern: highest net worth is often linked to pre‑existing fame or successful post‑show branding. Tom Clare is still building his media and football income.

Timeline: Tom Clare’s story

• 2 September 1999: Born in Barnsley, England (Wikipedia)
• 2018: Signed by Bradford City (Wikipedia)
• 2023: Appeared on Love Island season 9, finished third (Wikipedia)
• 2024: Returned to Macclesfield (Wikipedia)
• 2024: Won Love Island: All Stars with Molly Smith (Wikipedia)
• September 2025: Engaged to Molly Smith (Wikipedia)
• February 2026: Launched NearlyWeds podcast (Wikipedia)

Quotes from the couple

“We’re really excited about planning the wedding. It’s going to be a big celebration with all our friends and family.”

Tom Clare, interview on relationship

“The podcast gives us a chance to share our journey and help other couples navigate wedding planning.”

Molly Smith, on the NearlyWeds podcast

For fans of Love Island All Stars, the pair’s next chapter is already gaining momentum. Whether Tom Clare eventually chooses full‑time media or continues pursuing a football career, his dual identity will define the public perception for years to come.

Similar to Tom Clare, Scott van-der-Sluiss journey from football to the Love Island villa highlights the growing trend of athletes seeking reality TV fame.

Frequently asked questions

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