Press article:

Clarke moves to Blackpool - 23/09/2004

Blackpool have struck a deal with Everton to pay £150,000 for defender Peter Clarke.

The former England Under-21 international joined The Seasiders on a month's loan - his second temporary spell at the club - last week, with a view to a permanent move to Bloomfield Road.

Clarke has been on week-to-week terms at Goodison Park since the summer but, due to being only 22, Everton are entitled to compensation.

A figure of £150,000 has been agreed upon between the two clubs and Clarke will now thrash out personal terms with the League One side.

He admits he is happy to have been handed the chance with Colin Hendry's outfit after becoming disenchanted with his lack of opportunities with The Toffees.

"It has been really frustrating, the last two years since I was here last," Clarke told Blackpool's official website.

"I have played nowhere near the number of first team games I would have liked to have played for whatever reason.

"I was aware of the interest from Blackpool and the stumbling block was the fact Everton didn't really want to let me go.

"From my point of view it was frustrating considering the fact I wasn't playing but you have those times in football and you have to get on with it and battle through it."

Port Vale boss Martin Foyle admitted that he was disappointed to miss out on Clarke - insisting that he had been quoted a price of £300,000.

"Peter Clarke is a player I like and I did ask Everton about him," said Foyle.

"Maybe we were quoted that fee because we were one of the first to ask about him."

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