He began playing in an amateur Wolverhampton league for Toll End Westley, and then signed as a professional for West Bromwich Albion, then a First Division club, in 1937.
He was a big brave center-forward in the classic British tradition, but also had a good footballing brain and some skill, and linked up what was the formidable forward line that Pompey boasted at that time.
The following season, Clarke's contribution was greater in Pompey's need to defend the title, he played in 37 games and finished top scorer with 17 goals.
Yeovil Town in the Southern Football League was advertising for a new manager, The Supporters Club offered to help with the wages of the new appointee, and a tied house was thrown in.
[2] He later took charge of Canterbury City, becoming their longest serving manager [4] before retiring to Herne Bay in Kent, where he lived until his death in April 2002 at the age of 87.