The
next in the spotlight is a superb athlete, discovered playing park
football, who was simply a revelation in the GM Vauxhall Conference.
In
my opinion you have an exceptional talent if, by simply receiving the
ball, you are able send a buzz of anticipation around a football
ground. I honestly believe that over the decades only Colin Powell
and Dougie Freedman have come close to Andrew Weston Clarke's ability
to excite an Underhill crowd in this way.
Andy
was born in July 1967 in Islington and was spotted by one of Barry
Fry's scouts one spring Sunday afternoon waltzing around all comers
in of all things a local Greek Cypriot League. Barry hurried for his
signature – one of his very best there can be no argument.
Barnet's
last League fixture of 1988-89 was on Saturday 6th May at
Sutton United, and as the first team had a date the following day in
the Club Call Cup Final Fry introduced a few fresh faces to the team
for the fixture. The Bees were soundly beaten 5-1 but it was obvious
to all watching that day that the slightly built goalscorer on the
wing was something rather special!
Mark Flashman, Steve Whitworth, Steve Cox, Richard Nugent, Phil Stacey, Nicky Ironton, Derek Payne, Andrew Clarke, Adrian Mann, David Regis, David Sansom. Subs Edwin Stein and Steve Ketteridge
A
relatively late starter as a professional footballer at 22, in the
1989-90 season Andy lined up in what was arguably one of the most
powerful attacking forces the club have ever had the privilege to put
out. Gary Bull, David Regis, Frank Murphy, Edwin Stein, Paul Harding,
Geoff Cooper and Phil Gridelet were regulars in that side that
eventually finished runners up to Darlington in the GM Conference. It
was a fantastic season to watch our club - attendances regularly
topped the 3,000 mark with Clarke the “Star Attraction” as the
soccer magazines of the time as well as the national press flocked to
interview and feature him. Frankly many supporters I have spoken to
since are still amazed that we managed to keep Andy at Underhill at
non league level for nearly two years such was his talent.
Dave
Regis has said “Clarkey was just so quick, he would push the ball
past a full back and he was gone, he had outstanding pace”. Phil
Gridelet commented “Andy was always available to receive which was
so important for an alleged ball winning midfielder like me, you need
an instant outlet. Even when in a corner surrounded he somehow seemed
to able to wriggle his way out with the ball almost stuck to his
foot”.
Clarke
was selected for England non League X1 (now known as England C) and
scored 20 goals in his first full season. His performance against
Enfield on Boxing Day at Underhill, when he scored both goals in a
2-0 win was perhaps the highlight of a quite brilliant season in
which he was voted the Player of the Year by Barnet supporters by a
massive majority.
The
following season Clarke was to receive even more exposure as Barnet
challenged once again for the GM Conference, this time of course
successfully, and it was only a matter of time until a very big offer
came the clubs way. It did in the New Year of 1990 when Ray Harford
at Wimbledon tabled a bid of some £250,000 a then record for a non
league player. Some of the proceeds which were accepted bought in the
talents of Kenny Lowe and Mark Carter to the fray – money well
spent one surely cannot argue?
Andy's
final game in a Bees shirt was at Barrow on the 16th
February 1990 when the following line up suffered a 4-2 defeat;
Gary Phillips, Paul Wilson, Geoff Cooper, Gary Poole,Richard Nugent, Nicky Evans, Kevin Durham, Paul Richardson, Gary Bull, Kenny Lowe
and Andy Clarke. Subs, Roger Willis and David Tomlinson.
Andy
played in over 200 games for Wimbledon (including over 100 as a
substitute which must be some sort of record) in the Premier League
scoring 23 times before a move to Peterborough, reunited with Fry,
and playing in a further 266 games at London Road scoring 73 times.
He retired from football at the age of 38 in 2005.
Andy
Clarke was a king-size hero at Barnet, idolised on the terraces and
will always be held in high esteem just because he really was simply
a superb athlete and liable to pull off the impossible. He was also
one of the very few players at the club over the years who was worth
the entry fee alone!
Andy leaving another defender in his wake |
Appearances 85 Goals 39
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