Ex-Blackpool captain Peter Clarke is set to hit a special milestone this evening.
Former Blackpool defender Peter Clarke is preparing to make the 1,000th appearance of his 25-year playing career.
Despite not appearing in the EFL since 2022, the 43-year-old has continued to play regularly in non-league, and currently with Prescot Cables.
Since making the move to Valerie Park in the summer, following the conclusion of a two-year stint with Warrington Town, the centre back has featured nine times in all competitions this term.
The Cables’ meeting with Lancaster City in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy will mark a millennium of appearances for Clarke.
Initially the fixture was due to be played at the weekend, but due to the impact of Storm Amy the ex-England youth international has been made to wait an extra few days to hit this milestone.
Clarke’s time at Bloomfield Road
Peter Clarke (Photographer Chris Vaughan/CameraSport)placeholder image
Peter Clarke (Photographer Chris Vaughan/CameraSport)
Clarke, who signed his first professional deal in 1999, initially spent time with Blackpool on loan from Everton back in 2002.
He later returned to Bloomfield Road for two permanent stints, making a total of 150 appearances in Tangerine, during which time he captained the club.
As well as spending time with the Seasiders, he also has the likes of Southend United, Huddersfield Town and Tranmere Rovers on his CV.
In an interview last year, Clarke reflected on his various stints on the Fylde Coast.
"The opportunity arose to go out on loan, the manager at the time was Steve McMahon, and being a Liverpool fan, I was well aware of him and the way he played,” he said.
"At the time the ground was part way through being redeveloped, so there was no stand where the hotel is, so it was slightly different to how it is now. I enjoyed it, there were some good lads, and we did quite well while I was on loan.
"Me and Keith (Southern) were called back at the end of that loan spell, and he virtually went straight back to Blackpool. I didn’t, they wanted me to stay there, which was a little bit frustrating as I could’ve been playing regular football.
"I signed permanently under Colin Hendry. We weren’t as successful as we would’ve liked to have been, but I really enjoyed my football, and to win one or two personal awards was nice.
"I don’t know if I was a natural leader, I’ll let others be the judge of that. I can’t say I thought that looking back, but I was always a talker on the pitch and would always demand things from others.”
Clarke’s second permanent stint at Bloomfield Road came in the 2014/15. The 42-year-old admits the difficulties surrounding the then Oyston ownership of the club was more apparent to him during his second stint.
"You were always aware of the things going on at the club but you weren’t heavily involved in it, it was something the coaching staff had to deal with,” he added.
"In my initial time, it didn’t make our jobs as players any harder but when I returned as a more experienced person, then it did create a more challenging environment.
"It was difficult, there’s no denying it. The timing of the squad being built was not conducive to having a really positive season. There was a distinct lack of players at the start of pre-season, and they were signed intermittently throughout- it was hard to build cohesion.
"There was certainly poor relations between the hierarchy and the fans, and the hierarchy and the management, so as a more experienced player you’re aware of that. At times the supporters voiced their opinion and were well within their rights to do so.
"I still look back at my time at the club with a huge amount of fondness. Was it the most enjoyable part of my career?- no. Did it help me as an individual?- yes it probably did. I always try to look at the positive aspects of circumstances.
"Although the club were relegated, a huge part of me still wanted to be there, but that decision ultimately wasn’t mine. I would’ve liked to have stayed and been part of rebuilding.”
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