Desire still burning bright

POINTING THE WAY . . . Peter Clarke was handed the captain's armband for his debut against Preston

FIVE times a skipper, leader-of-men Peter Clarke has no regrets over his Bury exit and says he still has the same pang of excitement over a day's work on the training pitch as he ever did.

Captain at the Shakers and each of his previous three clubs - Blackpool, Huddersfield and Southend - the departure of the centre-back from Gigg Lane came as a surprise to many.

The 34-year-old's performances in his first 12 months under David Flitcroft had been of sufficient quality to earn his the title of the club's player of the season.

So why leave, halfway through a two-year deal?

Clarke says it was an amicable parting of ways. Bury chose one direction and invited him to plot another.

After two early enquiries - and, while in limbo, a pre-season trip to Portugal with the Shakers - a deal was reached that allowed the man from Southport to land at Athletic.

"At the end of last season, as at most clubs there were end-of-season meetings with the management," said Clarke, reflecting on his move.

"I was told they (Bury) were pleased with how I had done and how my season had gone, but at the same time they were looking to restructure things. And if something came up, then they as a club would listen and I was to explore those options as well.

OPTIONS

"I had one or two options through the close season, but none I felt were right for me personally.

"We reported back for pre-season, cracked on accordingly, then I had a call from the manager (Stephen Robinson) and it was a case of us getting together and speaking.

"I liked what he had to say and after a chat with him, my mind was made up I wanted to come here and my future lay here.

"The deal was then done over the course of five or six days."

While the nuances of the contract took some time to work through, it was only a matter of a few hours after putting pen to paper that Robinson was handing Clarke the skipper's armband for the home friendly against Preston.

"I came in on the Tuesday and sorted out all the paperwork and spoke with the manager, who then informed me I was going to be captain. I presumed it was just for the game against Preston," Clarke added.

"Then to be made captain of a club like this with a fantastic history and tradition is wonderful. I feel very honoured and privileged the manager sees me as suitable to fit those requirements.

"It is great from a personal point of view and I hope I do him and the club justice in the role I've been given."

Describing a player as having 'vast experience' is something of a cliche, but in Clarke, Athletic could not have gone for a defensive linchpin with more knowledge of this division.

MATCHES

A veteran of more than 600 matches since breaking through at Everton, Clarke has experienced four play-off campaigns in League One.

And despite his age, he insists he is anticipating the new season with the same enthusiasm as ever.

"As a kid growing up all I wanted to do was play football and be a professional," said the ex-Toffees prospect, who played for England at every age group level.

"To have been able to fulfil that dream is fantastic and looking back, there have been some great moments.

"But I still love getting up in the morning and being able to do what I love. Going out there on a Tuesday or a Saturday is the best bit about being a professional footballer, for me.

"Fighting for three points in the heat of battle and coming out on top - it's always great."

Athletic will certainly need to scrap to get anything at Millwall. Clarke has a glint in his eye when asked about heading to the Den.

"I have played there on a few occasions, including a play-off semi-final. It is quite a tasty place to go when the fans are behind them," he said.

"For me, that is great fun going down there.

"Hopefully, we can shut their fans up and give ours plenty to support and enjoy."