Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Clarke started his career with the Wolverhampton Wanderers youth system alongside his twin brother Matthew and after being released by the club the pair signed for Third Division outfit Halifax Town in July 1999.
[1][3][4] He left the club in February 2002 after signing for Second Division side Blackpool on a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of an additional year for a fee of £120,000 plus a sell-on clause.
[7] He scored Blackpool's second goal with a header in the 2002 Football League Trophy Final at the Millennium Stadium, which the team went on to win 4–1 against Cambridge.
[14] Having made three appearances for Halifax,[14] Clarke joined Conference rivals Leigh RMI on a one-month loan on 18 February 2005.
[19] Clarke left the club early in the 2006–07 season to sign for Northern Premier League First Division side Bradford Park Avenue.