Peter Clarke (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Peter Clarke


fullname = Peter Michael Clarke
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|1|3
cityofbirth = Southport
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Southend United
clubnumber = 5
position = Defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1998–2004
2002
2003
2004
2004–2006
2006–
clubs = Everton
→ Blackpool (loan)
→ Port Vale (loan)
→ Coventry City (loan)
Blackpool
Southend United
caps(goals) = 09 0(0)
16 0(3)
13 0(1)
05 0(0)
84 (11)
84 0(7)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = England U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 08 0(0)
pcupdate = 16:34, 9 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Peter Michael Clarke (born 3 January 1982 in Southport, England) is an English footballer currently playing for Southend United. He plays as a defender. He has also played for the England Under-21 team.

Club career

Everton

Clarke started his career with Everton, signing his first professional contract in January 1999. He made his debut for them in 2001 against Coventry City. cite news
title = Whatever Happened To...
publisher = Blackpool F.C.
date = 2007-02-09
url = http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~978580,00.html
accessdate = 2008-06-05 ] He made just nine appearances in the Premier League, largely in the unfamiliar position of right back, rather than his preferred centre-half position.

On 6 August, 2002 he went on loan to Blackpool where he made sixteen league appearances, and scoring three goals in a three month loan spell during which 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 Everton on 3 November.

On 20 February, 2003 he went out on loan again, this time to Port Vale, where he made thirteen appearances in another three month loan deal. Then in February 2004 he spent a one month loan spell at Coventry City, playing in five games. His contract with Everton expired at the end of the 2003-04 season, and he turned down the clubs offer of a new contract, and so remained at the club on a month-to-month contract.

Blackpool

On 17 September, 2004 after numerous attempts to sign him, Clarke signed for Blackpool, under then manager Colin Hendry, eight games into the 2004-05 season, initially on a one month loan,but with an agreement to make the move permanent, cite news
title = Pool Land Finally Their Man
publisher = Blackpool F.C.
date = 2007-09-17
url = http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~565739,00.html
accessdate = 2008-06-05 ] for £150,000. Clarke played a larg part in steering the club away from relegation and, despite the departure of Hendry, continued to be a vital part of the club's line-up, under new manager Simon Grayson. He made a total of 84 appearances for Blckpool and was also the club captain.

outhend United

On the eve of the 2006-07 season in League One, on 2 August, 2006, and despite the offer of a new improved contract, Clarke left Blackpool and signed for Southend United who were newly promoted to the Championship. He signed a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, citing his desire to play Championship football. cite news
title = Club Statement
publisher = Blackpool F.C.
date = 2006-08-02
url = http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~875930,00.html
accessdate = 2008-06-05 ] Ironically, that season, Southend were relegated back to League One and Blackpool were promoted to the Championship. After the 2007-08 season, playing back in League One, Clarke was transfer listed on 5 June, 2008 after failing to agree terms over a contract extension. cite news
title = Trio Transfer Listed
publisher = Southend United F.C.
date = 2008-06-05
url = http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1307664,00.html
accessdate = 2008-06-05 ] He later stated that he had 'unfinished business' at Blackpool. The value Clarke placed upon himself however proved misplaced, as despite spending all summer on the transfer list, a move did not materialise. Clarke remains a Southend United player, but will doubtless seek to engineer a move when a club presents itself that can meet his wage demands.

International career

Clarke gained England Under-21 honours, and captained England from Under-16 to Under-21 levels. He made his debut for the England Under-21 team in 2002 as a substitute against Slovakia Under-21's. He later captained the Under-21 team.

References

External links

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