FA Vase: Back to the future for Vics old boy Michael Clarke!

When ‘s Michael Clarke joined as a young player there were plenty of expectations on his shoulders and they’ll be even more on them on Saturday when he runs out against his old mates in the Buildbase .
As he told The Paper this week, it was 2011 when he arrived at Vics with their goal-shy attack needing a forward to start finding the net again.
When he departed five years later, a stay punctuated by an unhappy spell at Rushall, his transition to an imposing and reliable defender impressed suitors Stockport County.
“I’d never have played in the if I carried on up front!” he quipped.
Asked to stand in for an injured teammate on the final afternoon of the 2013-2014 campaign, Clarke was chosen afterwards as the best performer on the field when Vics kept a clean sheet.
He stayed at the heart of their back-line for the next two seasons, both of which ended with them contesting the ‘s First Division North promotion play-offs.
In between, they also reached the second round with Jim Gannon as manager.
Clarke said: “My best memories in are from that time, no question.
“I told Jim it was a one-off, playing back there, but I’m relieved he didn’t listen because I think it changed the course of my career.”
It’s no surprise then that an FA Vase second-round encounter with his old team next Saturday, when he’ll wear the colours of current club Wythenshawe Town, is one the 30-year-old will cherish.

Return

Vics lost at the semi-finals stage last season to Chertsey, who went on to lift the trophy at Wembley, only after a penalty shoot-out. The anguish they felt then will act as a spur this time around.
However, the promotion-hopefuls should be wary of opponents that have won three ties already to reach this stage – two against higher-ranked foes.
“We’re underdogs but that’s suited us so far,” said Clarke, who was part of a Northwich side that pushed Newport County to the brink during an quarter-final in 2012.
“There are decent lads here, a lot of them that have played at a higher level, and we back ourselves. People might believe Vics should beat us, but we can surprise them.”
If they do, then the Sharston-based back-marker hopes fans of a club he represented close to 200 times won’t hold it against him.
Indeed, a chance to play again at Wincham Park would have felt remote when he left Stalybridge in February.
Clarke said: “I’d stopped enjoying it and thought that was me done. That buzz from being at Stockport and playing in front of big crowds had gone.
“But there are a few lads here I’ve played with in the past and they talked me into signing on. It’s different to what I’m used to, but I reckon I’m adjusting.”
It’s what he’s good at.

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