Darrell Clarke

Darrell James Clarke (born 16 December 1977) is an English former professional footballer who is first team manager at League Two club Bristol Rovers.

A midfielder, his career began with Mansfield Town in 1995, where he spent the first six years of his career, making 160 league appearances. In 2001 he transferred to Hartlepool United, where he spent another six years, racking up 127 appearances in the league. He was sent out on loan to Stockport County, Port Vale, and Rochdale in the final years of his spell. In 2007 he left the professional game to sign for Salisbury City, before taking up the management position at the club in 2010. He led the club to promotion into the Conference Premier from the Southern League with two play-off final victories in three seasons.

He was appointed manager of Bristol Rovers in March 2014, but could not prevent the club from dropping out of the Football League. However, one year later, Clarke successfully guided Bristol Rovers back into the Football League after winning the 2015 Conference Premier play-off Final.