Born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear,[1] Clarke was brought up into the first team at Mansfield Town in the 2001–02 season, after being promoted from the club's youth system.

[8] Manager Alan Buckley brought him in as the club's new right back, to cater for the vacant spot left by retiring and long serving legend John McDermott.

He managed to make an appearance at Wembley Stadium for the club, as they lost 2–0 to Milton Keynes Dons in the Final of the Football League Trophy.

[9] In the 2008–09 season, Buckley signed Robbie Stockdale as the club's first choice right back, giving Clarke an uphill struggle to claim a place in the team.

However, when Buckley was sacked, his replacement Mike Newell opted to bring in fresh faces in both defence and midfield, making several players come ahead of Clarke in the pecking order.

[13][14] Clarke went on trial with newly relegated Conference Premier team Darlington in July 2010 and he played in a 3–0 pre-season friendly defeat to Carlisle United.

[17] Following a trial with St Johnstone of the Scottish Premier League, Clarke eventually signed for Conference North team Gainsborough Trinity in August 2010.

In December 2012 he announced his departure from the club by revealing he had accepted a job to become a coach at a football academy in Chang Mai in Thailand.