I’m in it for the long haul – captain Clarke

The decision was hailed as ‘fantastic news’ by manager Lee Clark, whose team travel to Bournemouth tomorrow in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-finals.

Clarke, who arrived as a free agent two summers ago, had no desire to leave the Galpharm Stadium – regardless of success or failure this season in winning promotion.

The former Everton and Southend United defender, 29, had also been voted Town’s Player of the Year.

“The play-offs are just around the corner but it’s not about what happens in the next three games,” he said. “I am in it for the next three years – come what may – not just the next three games. I want to be successful with this club and that task starts at Bournemouth.

“I love it here, we have a great group of lads, great staff and everyone at the club is in it for the long haul,” he added. “This is a fantastic place to be, I am sure there are exciting times ahead, and I want to be part of that.”

Manager Clark says Clarke has been an ‘inspirational’ captain since arriving at the club from Southend and describes his signing two years ago as a ‘great piece of business’.

“He has been everything and more that I hoped he would be,” said Clark. “He has been an inspirational captain and, most importantly, he has put in terrific performances on the field.

“His contribution to our last two seasons is unquestionable and it really was a great piece of business to bring him in on a free transfer in 2009

“We also have to take into consideration the fact that he has played as a left-sided centre-half for two years. He has not even played in his normal (right-side) position.

“There are other players we want to keep at the club but the main focus right now is winning football games. But that is why Peter is good – because he never takes his eye off the ball, he lets his people do the business side, and he gets on with the football.

“He has got the desire and determination to go a lot further in the game and it’s a great boost ahead of the play-off game that he has committed his future to the club.”

Born in Southport, Clarke was tipped for a big future as a youngster. He played for Everton in the Premier League at 19 and was captained England Under-21s.

After six years at Goodison, he had made only nine first team appearances and was frustrated at his lack of opportunities.

He was loaned to Blackpool, Port Vale and Coventry before joining Blackpool for £150,000 in October, 2004. Two years later, he moved to Southend, who had won promotion to the Championship, but quit after three years with the club back in League One.