Wednesday 30 July 2014 20:14, UK
Peter Clarke says he and Blackpool will be looking to prove a point to their doubters in the 2014/15 campaign.
The 32-year-old defender has returned to Bloomfield Road for a second spell as a free agent and has penned a one-year deal.
The former Southend and Huddersfield Town centre-half acknowledges that he may not be the kind of signing Blackpool fans were hoping for – as they look to bolster their threadbare ranks.
Clarke is, however, confident that he still has plenty to offer at Sky Bet Championship level.
He said in The Gazette: “I’m sure there will be one or two eyebrows raised at me coming here, but I’m thick skinned and have broad shoulders.
“I’m coming back with a point to prove to any doubters.
“I left Huddersfield at the end of last season and I want to prove a point to them too.
“I want to show people I’m not past it. I’m a more experienced player now and I feel I’m a better player. I’d like to think I’m a better version of the Peter Clarke which left here eight years ago.”
Clarke is also of the opinion that Blackpool, who started pre-season with just eight players, are capable of upsetting the odds in the second tier.
He added: “Blackpool is a club which is very close to my heart. As a young player I was given an opportunity to play first-team football here on loan from Everton.
“I then had two good years here, although the team maybe didn’t do the best it’s ever done. It doesn’t seem that long ago but the eight years have flown by. It’s nice to be back and I’m really excited.
“I want to be a part of something special here, although we know it isn’t going to be the easiest of starts or of tasks.
“But from what I’ve seen of the manager over the past few days, he is superb and is trying to instil a way of playing and a belief in ourselves that the fans will enjoy.”
