Peter Clarke (footballer)

Peter Michael Clarke (born 3 January 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for club Oldham Athletic, on loan from club Walsall.

Clarke began his career with Everton. During his time there he made nine league appearances and had loan spells with Blackpool, Port Vale and Coventry City. He then joined Blackpool on a permanent basis in 2004, where he also captained the club. He has also captained Southend United who he joined in 2006, before joining Huddersfield Town in 2009. He helped the "Terriers" to win promotion out of League One via the play-offs in 2012. He returned to Blackpool in July 2014, but was released after the club were relegated at the end of the season. He joined Bury in May 2015, and then moved on to Oldham Athletic in July 2016. He rejoined former club Bury on loan in January 2018 and signed with Fleetwood Town in August 2019 following his release from Oldham. He moved on to Tranmere Rovers in January 2020 and played for the club in 2021 EFL Trophy final. He joined Walsall in June 2022 and was loaned out to Oldham Athletic five months later.

He won the Player of the Season award at Blackpool, Southend, Huddersfield (twice), Bury and Oldham Athletic (twice) in the 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16, 2016–17 and 2018–19 seasons respectively. Clarke also gained eight caps for the England under-21 team between 2002 and 2003. At the age of 40, he was named in both the EFL League Two Team of the Season and PFA Team of the Year for the 2021–22 campaign.

Club career

Everton

Clarke started his career with Everton, signing his first professional contract in January 1999. He made his senior debut in 2001 against Coventry City.
He made just nine appearances in the Premier League, largely in the unfamiliar position of right back, rather than his preferred centre-half position. In August 2002, he went on out loan to Blackpool, where he made sixteen league appearances, scoring three goals (two of which came on his home debut) in a three-month loan spell. His performances played a large part in the "Seasiders" stringing together a run of clean sheets and rising to the edge of the 2002–03 play-off picture. Despite manager Steve McMahon's best efforts, a permanent deal did not materialise and Clarke returned to Goodison Park in early November. In February 2003, he went out on loan again, this time to Port Vale, also of the Second Division, where he made thirteen appearances in another three-month spell. He won praise from manager Brian Horton for his strong work ethic. He spent February 2004 on loan at First Division Coventry City, playing five games. His contract with Everton expired at the end of the 2003–04 season, and he turned down the club's offer of a new contract, though he remained at the club on a month-to-month contract.

Blackpool

In September 2004 Clarke signed for Blackpool, then managed by Colin Hendry, initially on a one-month loan but with an agreement to make the move permanent,
for £150,000. When Clarke arrived at the club, Blackpool were eight points short from safety. Helping to shore up the defence, his impact helped the club to avoid relegation. His contribution was recognized at the end of season award evening, as he picked up the Player of the Year award, as well as three other individual awards. Despite the departure of Hendry, he continued to be a vital part of the club's line-up, playing all 46 league games in the 2005–06 season under new manager Simon Grayson. At the end of that campaign he picked up the Blackpool Gazette and Supporters Websites awards, as well as the Alan Lowis Memorial Trophy. He made a total of 109 appearances for Blackpool, including his loan spell, and was also the club's captain.

Southend United

In August 2006 Clarke left Blackpool, despite the offer of an improved contract, and signed for Championship newcomers Southend United. He signed a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, citing his desire to play Championship football.
Clarke hoped the club could progress and even reach the top-flight, however Southend were relegated back into League One at the end of his first season after finishing seven points short of safety. He spent the 2007–08 season back in League One, and promotion hopes were ended following a 5–1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers in the play-off semi-finals. In June 2008 Clarke was transfer-listed, along with Nicky Bailey and Simon Francis, after the three failed to agree terms over contract extensions.
Chairman Ron Martin blamed Clarke's agent for unsettling him at the club.

A move did not materialise, and Clarke continued to play for Southend in the 2008–09 season, and vowed to give his best until his situation could be resolved. On 3 January 2009, Clarke scored a last-minute headed equaliser against Chelsea, a team challenging for the Premier League title, in an FA Cup Third Round tie. BBC
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