Clarke opens up on role at Ystradgynlais
ALLEN Clarke has moved to explain his first rugby role since departing as head coach of the Ospreys, writes Mark Orders.
The northern Irishman officially left the Liberty Stadium region on December 30, but was announced on Tuesday as Ystradgynlais’ new coaching consultant.
He says the role is a voluntary one ahead of a planned return to the professional game.
Speaking publicly for the first time since leaving the Ospreys, he said: “I’m helping out my local club for a couple of months or so. It’s voluntary and I’m not being paid.
“I feel part of the community and I wanted to give something back before I leave Wales.
“Ystradgynlais and the area generally is a special part of the world. The people are caring and supportive and my wife and I have loved living here.
“That said, I’m exploring opportunities to return to professional rugby. In the meantime, I’ll be helping Ystradgynlais’ new head coach Andy Davies and team manager Rowan Davies. They’re excellent people and I’m looking forward to working with them and the players.”
Clarke joined the Ospreys as forwards coach in the summer of 2017, becoming interim team boss in 2018 after the departure of Steve Tandy.
Based in Ystradgynlais, he penned a three-year deal to fill the head coach role at the region from April 2019 but injuries and Wales calls hit a squad that had already been squeezed by budget cuts, with the 52-year-old’s time in charge of team affairs ending last November.
Since then, he says, his local community has rallied around him. “I’ve been blown away,” he says. “People have been unbelievable. Strangers have been coming onto me in the street in Ystradgynlais, asking me how I am and wishing me well.
“It’s not a surprise how great everyone has been. The Ospreys players were the same. I have deep affection for the area and its people. It’s bittersweet that we’ll be leaving.”
Clarke declined to comment in detail about his Ospreys departure, saying only: “It’s done – water under the bridge. You move on.”