Clarke will lead the club - boss

POINTING THE WAY . . . experienced defender Peter Clarke made his Athletic debut last night

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PETER Clarke will lead Athletic from the back as captain next season.

The vastly experienced 34-year-old centre-back completed his move on a free transfer from Bury and was immediately installed as skipper for the Preston defeat last night.

Former Huddersfield and Southend man Clarke, who has signed a one-year deal, was joined as a new player by Chesterfield midfield man Ollie Banks yesterday. Banks (23), who has signed for two years, also featured in the 3-1 loss to the Championship outfit.

Athletic manager Stephen Robinson still wants to add two more players - a striker and a winger - to his squad for 2016-17.

As it stands though, he is delighted to confirm his side will be led out by Clarke next term.

"Peter Clarke will lead the club. He is very experienced at this level and he is a natural leader," said Robinson.

"He demands performances from people and that is the type of person we want around here.

"We have younger boys at the club and we have a new squad. There is more than just him who will demand the quality and intensity that we desire.

"We are delighted with the signing. Peter swept the awards (at Bury) and you could see against Preston where he is in his game. He is an organiser and a leader who is aggressive and good on the ball as well. People don't give him credit for that.

"We are delighted with Peter and with Cameron adding physicality as well, there is another very good footballer in him too."

New players with pace are now on the agenda for Robinson as he bids to add finishing touches to a squad that next heads for AFC Fylde on Saturday.

"We know where we are fitness-wise and there is a lot of work to be done," Robinson added.

"We are under no illusions about that, but we are starting to get the personnel we want and we are still after one or two others to inject a bit of pace as well."