Clarke had missed the whole of the 2006-07 season with a thigh problem and came to Bedfordshire in order to gain full match fitness.

Clarke began his career with Blackpool, where he became one of the most sought after central defenders in lower Leagues. He made his senior debut during the 1997-98 campaign. His first professional goal came in just his second appearance – rather ironically against a team with the same name as his – Carlisle United! After making 93 League appearances and scoring 7 goals for the Tangerines, he was on the move, signing for Queen’s Park Rangers for £250,000 during the summer of 2000.

After starting his QPR career in impressive form, he unfortunately, as has happened to many footballers, succumbed to life’s temptations and he endured a spell on the sidelines and in rehab clinics suffering from alcoholism during the 2003-04 campaign.

He had been appearing for England’s U-21 side alongside the likes of Ledley King and Frank Lampard and helped the R’s gain promotion to the Championship prior to his treatment for alcoholism.

After making 96 League appearances and scoring 6 goals for Queen’s Park Rangers, Clarke joined Leeds United on a Bosman free transfer in July 2004. He spent one season at Elland Road, making 35 League appearances and scoring 4 goals.

As the 2005-06 season drew closer, Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd moved in and signed Clarke for £100,000 as part of his rebuilding plans at Vicarage Road. He played in rotation with Malky Mackay and Jay Demerit as part of the defence that saw the Hornets finish in third place in the Championship and gain a dream promotion to the Premiership. Although he suffered a dip in form and a thigh injury which caused him to miss the latter part of the season, including the play-off final in which Watford beat his former employers Leeds United 3-0, he still made 32 League appearances, scoring 3 goals.

Missing the entire 2006-07 season with the thigh injury and cruelly unable to play a part in Watford’s Premiership campaign – his first chance of football at that level – Clarke made the move to Kenilworth Road in a bid to gain full match fitness and to aid the Hatters in their bid to ensure survival in the Championship.

Clarke made his Luton Town debut as a substitute in a 2-3 home defeat to Wolves just a couple of days after signing for the Hatters.

Now seemingly back to full fitness, he was thrown straight into the centre of defence in a disappointing 0-1 loss in a real relegation battle at his former club Leeds United the following weekend.

Three further appearances followed – all played at the heart of Luton’s defence – in losses to Hull City and Ipswich Town and in a goalless draw at Burnley that marked new manager Kevin Blackwell’s first match in charge following Mike Newell’s sacking.

With his loan period up following Blackwell’s first match in charge, Clarke unfortunately had to return to Vicarage Road and leave Luton with the Hatters sitting bottom of the Championship table and staring relegation in the face. He had made a total of 5 appearances for Luton Town.