Clarke ‘over the moon’ to be named Town captain
NATHAN CLARKE says he is “over the moon” to be named FC Halifax Town’s club captain after agreeing a new contract with the club.
With skipper Matty Brown on the transfer list awaiting a move, veteran defender Clarke was the obvious choice to take over the armband, having served as vice-captain last season.
Clarke has previously captained Huddersfield, Leyton Orient and Coventry in a distinguished career, but says being skipper of his hometown club is that little bit more special.
“I’m absolutely over the moon. I’ve been captain at previous clubs and to be captain of my hometown club is a big thing for me,” he said.
“It’s something I’ve done throughout my career but I think this is something that little extra.
“Hopefully I can just continue with what I’ve been doing and not change too much.
“I’ve been vice-captain at the club and worked with Browny in that sense, making sure the lads were all OK, looked after, felt comfortable in what they were doing.
“It’s going to be a fairly new team so we want players to settle in as quickly as possible and feel as comfortable as they can.
“Whether that’s people moving into the house in Headingley, things like that, or travelling. There’s a lot of unseen things that go on being captain, but you’re that bridge between the players and the management.
“I was in charge of the fines last year too, which is more of a discipline thing. Time-keeping is a massive thing, you have to be at certain places at certain times, so we can’t allow for players to let that slip.
“We’ve got to be on point with things like that, so that’s a big thing, but there’s the lighthearted ones as well. It’s all about making sure everybody keeps standards high.”
Clarke said there was never any doubt in his mind that he wanted to carry on playing next season, which will be his 20th as a senior professional.
“I’ve still got absolutely loads to give,” he said. “I know people might look at my age but it’s different nowadays, players look after themselves a lot more, eat the right things.
“I’m not really looking at my age. Hopefully I can keep going.
“I want to keep going, as long as I’m fit and healthy and I can keep up with the younger guys, then I’ll keep going.”
“I’ve still got absolutely loads to give” Nathan Clarke
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