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Clarke was brought to the club following
his release from the Mansfield Town. He was originally drafted in to add
strength to the squad, as he was described as someone who could play
anywhere along the back. However, his form dictated that rather than just
making up the numbers, he became a most vital member of the Dale first
team. Indeed, it looked like
we had picked up the bargain of the Summer as Clarke proved to be so much
more than just a versatile defender. If anything, defending proved to be
the weaker aspect of his game, and he played a number of games in central
midfield.
In midfield, he added a level of
intelligence which hadn't previously been there, and his passing became
essential to the way the club was playing. He looked confident at all
times, and did the simple things very well indeed.
However, around the start of December
2005, things seemed to take a turn for the worst. Despite being a regular
in the side up until that point, he found himself out of the side, with
rumours of a bust up with Dale boss Steve Parkin doing the rounds.
The rumours were denied, but with the
team's overall form heading South, there was still no place in the Dale
side for Clarke and eventually he was given away to Boston United in
January 2006.
Whilst with Boston, he failed to
prevent their relegation to the Conference in 2006-7, after which he left
the club and joined neighbours Grimsby Town.
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