Clarke loves life up north

8:56am Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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DARLINGTON’S new goalscoring hero Billy Clarke last night revealed how much he is enjoying playing for Quakers, and he hopes to win promotion in the North-East.

The Irish striker, on loan from Ipswich Town, is already a big hit with Darlington fans and has earned a place in the record books with his fourgoal show on Saturday.

He also impressed in his five previous appearances, and Clarke’s goals against Macclesfield at the weekend will no doubt attract interest in a player currently out of favour at Portman Road.

The 20-year-old remains non-committal over his longterm future, but until January at least he will stay with Darlington.

Although Clarke admits to being in two minds before making the trip north on the eve of the season, that has all changed after his impressive start to life with Quakers.

“Obviously you want to play as a high a level as you can but I spoke to the manager, Dave Penney, and after that I was interested in coming,”

said Clarke.

“And it has paid off. Things are going very well. I’ve extended my loan until January which obviously means I am enjoying it and playing games which is what I need.

“The objective of the loan is that I go out and play games and score goals. But they’ve got good players back in Ipswich so I’m not sure I’ll be missed really.

“Hopefully I can stay here, do my loan and get as many goals as I can.”

Asked if can see a long-term future with Quakers, Clarke added: “We’ll just see what happens.”

Saturday’s 6-0 win, Macclesfield’s biggest ever league loss, saw Darlington play some of their best football during Penney’s two years as manager.

And Clarke is certainly benefiting.

He said: “The manager said to me that if you’re a defender and you join a bad team you’ll have lots of work, but if you’re a striker and you go to a good team then you’ll get loads of chances.

“That’s what has happened.

I’ve come to a really good team but I don’t think our results have been deserved.

We’ve been playing well but we’ve been unlucky so the result (Macclesfield) had been coming.

“It makes your job easier when you’re playing with good players. They’re good quality and I don’t see why we can’t get promoted.”

■ The Darlington Supporters Club coach to Aldershot on Saturday departs at 7am and costs £31. Payment must be made either in full before travel, or a 50 per cent non-refundable deposit paid. Anyone wishing to travel must join before the day of travel.

Phone (01325) 243911.