Peter Clarke made his 700th career appearance on Saturday in the 3-1 win over Macclesfield Town. He has also played for Blackpool, Southend United and Huddersfield Town in his 20-year career.
A very proud Clarke said, “I think learning about your body over the course of time, perhaps adapting a little bit the way you train, your diet and what you do in the gym helps. It's an accumulation of things probably that have got me to where I am, but the hunger, desire and the fact I wanted to put the work in has got me to 700 appearances. I knew it was getting close towards the back end of last season so to actually get there and make my 700th appearance is something I'm quite pleased with. When the time comes when I do finish, I'll look back and be quietly proud of things so, it’ll be something to look back on with a great deal of affection.”
“It's all I wanted to do when I was a kid, I wanted to play football so to have been lucky enough to have lived that dream is something I'm proud of and I appreciate a great deal. But it’s definitely 700 not out and I want to keep going as long as I possibly can so it's 700 and counting and I'd like to get plenty more in. I'd like to thank my mum and dad, they’ve been there every step of the way made lots of sacrifices for me; my wife Lisa because she has to put up with a fair bit certainly when we lose, but she’s magic and my four kids, Sophie, Cameron, Milly and Evie. I think when you have children they give you a different source of inspiration as well, so to those people I'd like to say a very big thank you.”
“If I was to give some of the younger lads some advice it would be appreciate every second you’re doing it because it quickly passes by. The time will come, certainly for me a lot sooner than them, but for them the time will come where they aren't going to play football anymore so appreciate it while it lasts. Learning that you’ve got to work hard every single day and give yourself the best opportunity to perform which is on the training ground, in the gym, recovery taking it into matches.”
Frankie Bunn said, “He's obviously got a wealth of knowledge and he’s a good professional and we're quite lucky to have him with us.”