New Wrens assistant manager slips in unnoticed

Rainworth manager Scott Rickards this week paid tribute to the man who has quietly and almost unnoticed stepped into the role as his assistant at Kirklington Road, so unnnoticed in fact that fans were left to wonder ‘Who is he?’

‘He’ is in fact Matt Clarke, a former defender who numbers among his previous clubs Hereford United, Telford United, Stafford Rangers and Redditch United.

Clarke’s influence on Rainworth’s current custodian James Martin looks to have added an extra dimension to the already highly rated Martin’s performances in the Wrens’ goal, and Rickards’ endorsement of his new protege comes following the disappointment of not being able to arrange a new loan deal at Rainworth for Mansfield Town’s promotion-winning captain and assistant manager from last season, Adam Murray, who has now joined Premier Division Worksop Town on loan until 4th January.

Murray, who has ‘legend’ status at Mansfield, made a huge impact during his earlier loan spell at Rainworth during which his own coaching skills were very much in evidence in training.

Said Rickards: “Adam would have been a fantastic acquisition, he is a model professional, he loves this club, and his contribution in his short time with us was immense.

“We wish him well at Worksop, but he wasn’t with us as a player for too long, and with a figure of Matt’s quality and experience in as assistant now we have more than enough here with to continue to take the club forward.”