Reds new-boy Clarke delighted to be playing again
Crawley Town's Billy Clarke in action against Cheltenham (Pic by Jon Rigby)
NEW CRAWLEY Town frontman Billy Clarke is happy to be playing football again after his crack at the Premier League turned into an injury nightmare.
The forward, signed on transfer deadline day from Blackpool, suffered a knee ligament injury in a pre-season friendly ahead of the start of the Tangerines’ Premier League adventure in 2010. That injury ruled him out for the rest of the season, and after a successful loan earlier this season at Sheffield United, Crawley boss Steve Evans moved for the former Republic of Ireland under-21 international.
Clarke was among the Reds’ stand out performers in Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat of Cheltenham as they went top of League 2, and admits he has had to put the year of injury misery behind him.
He said: “It was a pretty innocuous injury. I didn’t get to play in the Premier League and it was disappointing, But it’s important not to get too down about that and hopefully one day I will get my chance again. My football has taken such a strange turn over the past three years.”
The 24-year-old almost added his named to the scoresheet on his debut on Tuesday, and hit Scott brown’s crossbar with a first time snap shot. And he told Reds fans they cam expect ‘off the cuff’ football from him.
“It was a good night overall for everyone, three worldie goals and on a personal note the only thing missing was a goal. I know when I play I will get chances,” he said.
“I just like to get on the ball and enjoy it really, off the cuff football, I’m just happy playing.”
Clarke joined for an undisclosed fee, 24 hours after Crawley had sold Matt Tubbs to Bournemouth, and he said the decision to come to the Broadfield was made easier by the club’s ambition, and location.
“I spoke to a couple of people I know in football and my family and it seemed an ambitious club to come to,” he added. “Plus all my mates live in London area, so it was not a hard decision in terms of relocation.”
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Weather for Crawley
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 27 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Light showers
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