Preston North End’s first recruit of the Simon Grayson era is eager to get going after signing for the Club.
Tom Clarke has put pen to paper on a two year contract at Deepdale, making him the first player through the Deepdale door this summer and he is looking forward to working with the gaffer and Glynn Snodin again following their association at Huddersfield Town.
“I can’t wait,” said Clarke, when asked about teaming up with his former manager in an exclusive interview with PNE.Com
“When I heard that he was interested in wanting me at the Club I was keen to get it done and I’m pleased that it is all done and dusted now and I can get on with pre-season when it comes along.
“The way he is, his personality, the way he is with his players.
“It is always a pleasure to train with him and he gets team’s working hard.
“You look at the promotions that he has got and he is a good manager, so I can’t wait to see what the season brings now.
“Glynn Snodin is another great personality and a great guy to have around the training ground.
“He has great knowledge and the training that he does is great for us and keeps everyone high and keeps players working hard and fighting for that shirt that everyone wants.”
Clarke featured more than 100 times for Huddersfield during his career; his last appearance coming against the Lilywhites in the Capital One Cup at the beginning of last season.
And the 25-year-old is hoping to make an impact at his new Club from the get go in pre-season.
“I can’t wait to meet the lads,” continued Clarke.
“Speaking to Snods and the gaffer, they seem like a great bunch of lads, work hard, so I’m really looking forward to that first day on the training ground.
“Now that it is all done, it’s back to the gym and working hard and I want to be as fit as I have ever been really.
“It is a new Club and a new start for me and I can’t wait to get back, I’m itching to get back already.
“I have played in different positions and that’s what I have got for me really.
“I’ll just work hard in pre-season and try and get a shirt and keep that shirt.
“I give 100 per cent in every game, in training I give 100 per cent and when I am on that pitch I want to win and that’s what I can hopefully bring to the team.
“I want to be a winner and I want to get this team promoted and I will do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
Clarke is no stranger to League One with his brother Nathan playing for Leyton Orient and the O’s are one of three other clubs that he has had loan spells at from the Terriers, Bradford City and home town team Halifax being the others.
He is also familiar with a couple of North End players from the England setup which he was part of earlier in his career, Lee Holmes and Paul Huntington, as well as playing with Joe Garner at Huddersfield.
And Clarke is under new illusions as to what the target is at Deepdale next season.
“I have played with a couple of the players; I have played against them quite a bit and played with a couple of the players in my younger days with England and stuff,” added Clarke.
“The Club itself is a massive Club, great fans, great away following, great home following.
“It is a great club and needs to get promoted next season and that is the main aim for me and that is what I want to bring and help the Club to do.”