A TYKES SET-BACK ACTS AS FUEL FOR JORDAN

GROWING up, Jordan Clark dreamt of playing for hometown club Barnsley only to be released by the Tykes in 2014 after just seven appearances – yet that setback could prove to be the making of the new Accrington Stanley winger.

Clark joined Barnsley's academy aged six, signed his first professional contract in March 2011 and made his debut for the club the following month. So far, so good.

But the Hoyland-born attacker never quite kicked on at Oakwell and – following loan spells with Chesterfield, Scunthorpe and Hyde – he was released by Danny Wilson at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. On the scrapheap at 20, like hundreds of other players.

“It was really horrible,” he said. “Barnsley were the club I wanted to play for growing up. I went to games at Oakwell from a young age and, being in the academy, I got to be a ball boy which I loved.

“I’ve got really fond memories of the time I had there and the play-off final they won against Swansea City in 2006 and the Wembley trip when they lost to Cardiff City in the FA Cup semi-final two years later.

“But you have to man up, not doubt your ability and make sure you bounce back.”

And bounce back he has. Following a successful trial, Clark signed for then League Two side Shrewsbury Town, managed by ex-Tykes assistant manager Micky Mellon, in June 2014.

It is Mellon who rescued Clark and the Stanley attacker appreciates the lifeline.

“When I left Barnsley I didn’t have many options. But Micky Mellon was really good to me and he had me down for two weeks on trial,” explained Clark, who repaid his new boss’ faith by making 27 league appearances as the Shrews won promotion back to League One at the first attempt.

“It’s the best feeling. It’s an amazing feeling knowing you have helped the club get back to where they were the season before.” He added: “People say Accrington are a small club but that doesn’t mean they can’t be successful. “No-one likes coming here and we can use that to our advantage,” said Clark. “You can see with the start we’ve had we’re going for nothing less than winning the league.”