Re-Sign Clarke?
Clarke Come Home?
By Rocky64
June 5 2008
Blackpool may turn to an old face when it comes to bolstering the defence this summer. Peter Clarke has been transfer listed by Southend United after failing to agree terms on a new contract at Roots Hall. Leading many fans to ask, Will Clarke Return?
Although he's transfer listed, he still has 12 months remaining on his current deal and Southend will more then likely want a fee for the defender. But given the current uncertainty over Gorkss future and the lack of depth in the squad, Clarke could be a welcome addition to the club.
Of course some fans, including one Tangerine-Planet resident who posts under the name Claire K, view Peter Clarke as a Judas and many forget his last minute goal against Brentford to help us on our way to safety. In a recent topic on our forum discussing whether Clarke would be welcome back or not. One poster "Mac" posted "BFC do not need Clarke back".
However with the door open for Clarke to return, a change of opinion maybe forthcoming. But let's see we want your thoughts on Peter Clarke and are asking in our poll. Should Blackpool resign Peter Clarke? And if you have an opinion, why not get it off your chest by going onto our forum. It's much better then the rest!
Clarke would be the finishing touch to our defence along with possibly another left back.
Clarke is a league one player and does not deserve a place in a championship team he turned his back on.
As for doing nothing, your research could be called into question.
"IF WE HAD 11 PETER CLARKES' WE WOULD HAVE FINISHED MIDTABLE"
So some of us are blaming Southend's relegation on Clarke, which is simply not true, as, like us, they had another ten players starting every match.
Why do we hate him anyway. He put everything into this club, wore his heart on his sleeve, and he didn't desert us, he went to the Championship, simply because having played for us for 2 years, he didn't think we would get there before his contract ran out. The loss of Clarke brought him to buy the players to get us there. He thought the Southend move was his chance.
Lay off him, and give him another chance I reckon.
PS: I am also going to withdraw my comments about former players returning, as every time I comment on a thread about one, I get yelled at.
Obviously you know my thoughts on the Clarke situation! I am bitter, yes. Although I do feel I have my points to argue against his return!
Whether they had 11 Clarkes, 1, 2 or 3 Southend were relegated. Thats the reality. & that goes against Clarkes name. Grayson matched Southend wages & obviously said he couldnt promise promotion but that he would like Clarke to play a part of the push for it. Yet on the season ticket renew form I remember that season Clarke saying how he loved the fans & the club and how the only way was up. Now he is saying he has unfinished business at Blackpool - personally I think he has unfinished business at Southend! If he did come to Blackpool, it would really sum up the kind of player/person he is. Jumping ship whenever it gets tough. Something I believe Grayson doesnt not want in his team.
So, those for Clarke coming back. Would you be willing to sign a player who is proven at a lower level, which we are trying to steer away from? Yet we'd sign a player who has had one season in the Championship unproven, where we are trying to make our status?
Its not a very difficult decision for me.
As I am a footballer i am constantly told that i should always try to play at the best level that my ability permits. We were a league 1 team, Southend were a Championship team. Clarke wants to play and test himself at a higher level while he can, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Now the roles are reversed Clarke still wants to play at a higher level, it is only natural. Players that are worth there salt are ambitious.
If all football clubs shared the same opinion as Claire there wouldn't be a transfer system full stop.
I think my opinions are realistic, I have not made a comment regarding Broomes or the rumours of Sergio. Therefore the transfer market would not come to a stop at all.
& lets face it, you have never agreed with my opinions. So I don't expect you to have atleast a bit of understanding towards my posts.
You have a vandetta against Clarke. I'm sure if he came back you would soon change your tune, just like you did with Simon Grayson.
B*llocks to your loyalty claim. If it was up to you there wouldn't be a transfer system becuase no-one would want to move. Rooney would have stayed at Everton, Ronaldo would have stayed at Sporting Lisbon, Lampard would have stayed at West Ham. None of them showed any loyalty but they all showed ambition!
You do not know the meaning of the word ambition.
& in my recent posts I've clearly said I know loyalty does no longer exist in football. Although its funny how Clarke wants to come back when things get tough, it was tough at Blackpool, now its tough at Southend. I wouldnt exactly say thats ambition at its best.
Steve, you should of been on the old forum. He hardly attends games yet lectures me on my opinions & how I'm wrong because it is my opinion. Or if all else fails will just say its because I'm female!
Makes me laugh

a) The reason that he doesn't get to many games is because he lives miles away, and can't get to them. He goes to many away games, and that allows him to form opinions.
b) How can you say Clarke doesn't have ambition. He gets relegated with his club but he wants to go back and play at that level. If that happens to be his former team then so be it.
I didnt say how he manages to get to away games, good for him - as a fan thats what you do. I missed 5 games last season, yet my comments do not count!
Because I literally just do not want a player to sign for us, I obviously am going to explain why. Yet, simply because you etc do not agree with my answer it means I am unjust.
have read all the arguments and feel that no matter what we all think its upto Larry, he may get Clarke back in if he feels this will benefit BFC. The only thing I will leave you to ponder over is this,
" If we end up this season relegated will Clarke turn and run again?

