TOM CLARKE has signed a new Town contract – just days after elder brother Nathan.
The 21-year-old former England junior international has agreed fresh 12-month terms from the summer, with Town having the option of awarding a further year in 2010.
Like 25-year-old Nathan, who has committed himself to the club until 2012, Tom in primarily a centre-back.
But he has also played at full-back and as a holding midfielder.
Tom was an unused substitute at Stockport on Saturday, when boss Lee Clark handed another centre-back, experienced Chris Lucketti, the first appearance of his reign as manager.
Lucketti came on as an 86th-minute replacement for Gary Roberts as the boss tried unsuccessfully to bolster his rearguard in the bid to defend Michael Collins’ 16th-minute strike.
Tom Clarke had made four Town appearances this season, and 49 in all, 38 of them starts, stretching back to his debut in the 2-1 League I defeat at MK Dons in February 2005. He was loaned to Halifax last season and had a spell at Bradford this time around.
On the bench for all of Clark’s matches in charge so far, he said: “It’s fair to say that halfway through the current season I didn’t really know where my future was.
“I had to go out on loan because I wasn’t getting the games here under the previous management staff.
“I am an ambitious lad and I want to play, but I have spoken to Lee about it and I just have to try and keep hold of the shirt when my opportunity comes along. I want to stay here, secure a first-team place and kick-on from there.
“I will always give 100%, just as I have done in the past. I’m keeping my head down and working hard in training and having been a regular on the bench so far, hopefully I can stay in the manager’s thoughts.”
Clarke added: “The coaches we have brought in here have achieved a lot and the whole training ground is alive and buzzing every day.
“I have worked a lot on the defensive side with Derek Fazackerley and he has really helped me.”
