Darrell Clarke

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For other uses, see Darrell L. Clarke (politician).
Darrell Clarke
Personal information
Full name Darrell James Clarke
Date of birth December 16, 1977 (1977-12-16) (age 30)
Place of birth    Mansfield, England
Height 5'10" (178cm)
Playing position Central Midfielder/Winger
Club information
Current club Salisbury City
Number 18
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1995–2001
2001–2007
2005
2005
2006–2007
2007–		 Mansfield Town
Hartlepool United
→ Stockport County (loan)
→ Port Vale (loan)
→ Rochdale (loan)
Salisbury City		 161 (24)
123 (19)
001 0(0)
001 0(0)
012 0(1)
001 0(0)   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 13:38, 13 August 2007 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Darrell James Clarke (born 16 December 1977 in Mansfield, England) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Blue Square Premier side Salisbury City. Darrell Clarke started his career at Mansfield Town when he joined their youth set up at the age of just ten. He made his way through the ranks and was offered a professional contract at the club in 1995. While at Mansfield he became a fan favourite, which was partly because he was a home grown talent. He made over 150 league and cup appearances for the club and scored 27 goals. As his contract ran to its end, he attracted the attention of several other clubs and he was offered a contract at Hartlepool United by Chris Turner. Darrel Clarke found it difficult to leave Field Mill but believed that a new move could kick start his career and stop him from becoming stale[1].

Darrell Clarke signed for Hartlepool in July 2001 on a free transfer, courtesy of the Bosman ruling, but Hartlepool still had to pay £80,000 as he was under 24. He was seen by many as the replacement for Tommy Miller. He made his Pool’s debut against Shrewsbury Town. Darrel Clarke originally failed to cement his place in the starting 11 and found himself in and out of the team, making 26 league starts and 9 substitute appearances. However he still managed to score 7 league goals, including a hat-trick in a 7-1 win over Swansea. The following season was much more successful for Clarke and he played in nearly all of Hartlepool’s matches and added another 7 goals to his tally in Hartlepool’s promotion winning campaign. The arrival of manager Neale Cooper saw Clarke’s opportunities in the first team limited as Eifion Williams was proffered on the right wing. Clarke only started 23 league matches but he still managed to make a further 12 substitute appearances. In the 2004/05 season, Clarke suffered a knee injury that prevented him from taking part in any of Hartlepool’s league games. However, he did make an appearance for Stockport County during a loan spell but this was cut short as Clarke picked up another knee problem. At the start of the season Clarke was loaned to Port Vale but has since returned to Hartlepool. Clarke has spent the majority of the season playing for the reserves. He was released in May 2007. On July 3rd 2007 he signed for newly promoted Salisbury City, and he will be playing his trade in the Blue Square Premier Division next season. He was strongly influenced by former team mate Tommy Widdrington to make the switch South and he is the third signing made by Nick Holmes as he looks to strengthen his side for next season.

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v • d • e
Salisbury City F.C. – current squad

1 Clarke • 2 Bass • 3 Robinson • 4 Cook • 5 Bond • 6 Fowler • 7 Turk • 8 Bartlett • 10 Tubbs • 11 Prince • 12 Browne • 13 Widdrington • 14 Beswetherick • 15 Brown • 16 Matthews • 17 Clay • 18 Clarke • 19 Feeney • 20 Knight • 21 Barron • 22 Weedon • 23 Bittner • 24 Barnes • 26 Eastham • 27 Richards • 28 Sandell • Manager: Holmes