Jon Clarke reflects on a decade at Warrington

By Paul Garrity
BBC Radio Merseyside

Clarke is fighting for a new deal in his testimonial year at Warrington

Loyalty in sport is hard to find in the 21st century but Warrington hooker Jon Clarke is one of the few players to stay with one team for 10 years.

In 2001, Clarke joined Warrington from London Broncos on loan, and a decade on he still plies his trade at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

After missing the 2009 Challenge Cup final victory over Huddersfield because of a broken ankle, the Manchester-born forward's biggest moment saw him battle back to help the side lift the 2010 Challenge Cup after a 30-6 win over Leeds at Wembley in August.

Now 31, Clarke is held in high regard by the Wolves and they have rewarded his loyalty to the club by granting him a testimonial in 2011.

He says his love affair with Warrington started the day he put pen to paper on his first contract all those years ago.

"I was at London after leaving Wigan and at the time I signed for Warrington on loan," Clarke told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I did a month on loan, then signed a contract with them.

"As soon as I arrived at Warrington I was happy and I was nearer my family as well. The club was big and at the time we had some big name players so I was very happy here.

"There have been some dark days, don't get me wrong, but there have been some real high points. When I first came, we were renowned for beating the best sides and beating them comfortably.

"Over the years I have some fantastic times at Warrington, and I wouldn't change any of them."

Clarke has credited former Warrington coach Paul Cullen for steering the club through difficult waters and saving them from relegation while in charge from 2002 to 2008, but he says current coach Tony Smith has achieved something others have not - to win trophies.

Former England coach Smith took charge of the Wolves in 2009 after Cullen left the side, and Clarke says the 43-year-old Australian set a new standard at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

"You can't deny it, Tony came in and something changed at the club," continued Clarke.

"It's very difficult to put your finger on what, but Tony has brought this level of consistency through the playing staff and through the coaching staff and I think that's filtered down through the club.

"Everyone's standards and expectations are that little bit higher and I think that's helped us both on and off the field."

It is a big year for the former Wigan man in his testimonial year, as he also fights for a new contact, with his current deal ending at the end of the 2011 season.

"I'm in the last year of my contract in my testimonial year," he said. "I'm in a team that's full of depth and full of strength, it's not just me, but everyone has got their work cut out [to get a place in the team] this year.

"It's going to be a tough year and I want to stay at Warrington and I've made no secret of that. I want to stay here after my testimonial year has finished.

"It's going to be a very tough year but a very exciting year and one I'm looking forward to."