Peter Michael Clarke (born 3 January 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for club Warrington Town.

During his time there, he made nine league appearances and had loan spells with Blackpool, Port Vale and Coventry City.

He rejoined former club Bury on loan in January 2018 and signed with Fleetwood Town in August 2019 following his release from Oldham.

His performances played a large part in the "Seasiders" stringing together a run of clean sheets and rising to the edge of the 2002–03 play-off picture.

Despite manager Steve McMahon's best efforts, a permanent deal did not materialise, and Clarke returned to Goodison Park in early November.

[8] In September 2004, Clarke signed for Blackpool, then managed by Colin Hendry, initially on a one-month loan but with an agreement to make the move permanent,[8][9] for £150,000.

When Clarke joined, Blackpool were bottom of the league and in danger of relegation, but they climbed to 16th position (and safety) by the season's conclusion.

[12] Despite the departure of Hendry, he continued to be a key part of the club's line-up, playing all 46 league games in the 2005–06 season under new manager Simon Grayson.

At the end of that campaign, he picked up the Blackpool Gazette and Supporters Websites awards, as well as the Alan Lowis Memorial Trophy.

In August 2006 Clarke left Blackpool, despite the offer of an improved contract, and signed for Championship newcomers Southend United.

[15] Clarke hoped the club could progress and even reach the top-flight,[16] however, Southend were relegated back into League One at the end of his first season after finishing seven points short of safety.

He spent the 2007–08 season back in League One, and promotion hopes were ended following a 5–1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers in the play-off semi-finals.

[17] In June 2008 Clarke was transfer-listed, along with Nicky Bailey and Simon Francis, after the three failed to agree terms over contract extensions.

On 3 January 2009, Clarke scored a last-minute headed equaliser against Chelsea, a team challenging for the Premier League title, in an FA Cup Third Round tie.

[21] BBC journalist Phil McNulty called it a "career-defining moment" for Clarke in a piece about the "magic" of the FA Cup.

[23] However, chairman Ron Martin told the press that Clarke had snubbed talks of extending his contract beyond the summer,.

[37] He was named on the Football League team of the week after leading the Blackpool defence to a clean sheet at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 13 September.

[38] On 10 January, he scored his first goal in four years to secure a 1–0 win over Millwall at Bloomfield Road; he also made a goal-line clearance during the game and was rewarded with a place on the Football League team of the week.

[52] On 3 January 2018, he rejoined former club Bury on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season; manager Chris Lucketti said that "I know all about him, he's a real man, he's a leader".

[55] He was defended by caretaker manager Pete Wild, who said that "as clear as day, it's not a pen" and "their keeper has got Peter Clarke sent off by rolling around with his antics, which, at this level, is poor".

[57][54] On 1 August 2019, Clarke signed a one-year deal with League One side Fleetwood Town after impressing manager Joey Barton with his attitude.

[58] He scored three goals in 17 appearances for the Fishermen, though did go over two months without a league start as Harry Souttar and Ashley Eastham had established themselves in a defensive back four.

[72] On 1 June 2022, Clarke signed a one-year contract with League Two side Walsall after turning down a new deal with Tranmere; he previously played with "Saddlers" boss Michael Flynn at Blackpool.

[77][78] On 28 July 2023, Clarke signed with newly promoted National League North club Warrington Town following a trial period; manager Mark Beesley looked to add competition to centre-back pairing Evan Gumbs and Tom Hannigan.