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Clark fits the shoes
Date: Monday 14th June 2010
Gateshead Manager Ian Bogie has today completed the signing of former Hartlepool United and Sunderland centre-half Ben Clark.
The 6' 2" defender, from Shotley Bridge was released by the Pools at the beginning of this month following six seasons at Victoria Park.
Clark began his career in the youth ranks with Manchester United before joining Wearside outfit Sunderland. Ben made 8 appearances for Sunderland between 2000 and 2004.
It was at Hartlepool he made his name in the Football League making an impressive 162 appearances in the white and blue of the town that once famously hung a monkey.
He created an effective central defensive partnership with Gateshead born Michael Nelson, as Pools went through their most successful period of recent times. He has also been utilised in midfield at times for Hartlepool.
Chris Turner failed to renew Clarks contract and rumours were rife that both Conference Premier clubs Darlington and Gateshead were battling it out for his signature. But it's The Tynesiders who've come out on top in the race, with Clark telling the official website:
"Both the manager and chairman at Gateshead are very ambitious and, while I had a few other options, it just felt right to join Gateshead, It took just a couple of hours to sort everything out and I am delighted to link up with Gateshead and help the club to progress."
"I was taken aback with how good the facilities are at the International Stadium and with a new stadium on the horizon Gateshead is a club on the up. I have taken a significant pay cut but money was never the main issue. I didn't enjoy my last season at Hartlepool where I missed most of the first half of the season through injury. I had always been a regular at Victoria Park and at the end of the day I just want to play football week in week out."
Ian Bogie has also agreed terms with ex-NUFC Reserves pair left-back Darren Lough and right-sided midfielder James Marwood. Lough was released from Newcastle at the end of last-season, whilst James Marwood spent time with new Assistant Manager Adam Sadler at Blyth Spartans and Team Northumbria last-season.
Pre-season Friendlies
Our cancelled friendly at Halifax Town has now been rescheduled for Tuesday 3rd August, kick-off 7:30pm.
We will also visit Graeme Armstrong and Steve Bowey's new team Harrogate Town on Tuesday 20th July, kick-off 7:30pm. By then Harrogate may also include Wayne Phillips, who's said to be in talks with the Wetherby Road side.