‘It’s a massive opportunity for me’ – insists Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club’s new head coach Jon Clarke

Jon Clarke, Bury St Edmunds' new head coach, in action for Northampton Saints. Clarke played for the Saints, as a centre and full-back, from 2003 to 2012. (Image: Archant)

Clarke was unveiled as Bury’s new head coach this evening, following Gavin Hogg’s recent decision, as Bury’s Director of Rugby, to leave after six successful years at The Haberden. Hogg has taken up a similar post at National One side Old Albanians.

Bury recently secured their National League Two South status for a third season, and the Wolfpack finish their campaign with an away fixture at Clifton this Saturday, which will be Hogg’s last game in charge.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me,” enthused Clarke this evening.

“The club has ambition and it wants to get into the Championship.

“Obviously we don’t live in a dream world. I’m not just going to say that I come in and we get promoted for two years in a row.

“It is going to be hard work, but part of that ambition is why I feel it is right for me to come here,” added Clarke.

Clarke played 165 games for top flight club Northampton Saints, from 2003 to 2012, primarily as a centre but also occasionally as a full-back and on the wing.

The 33-year-old was formerly a graduate of the Bristol Academy, during which time he played for England Under-21s in the full-back role. When Bristol were relegated out of the top division in 2003, Clarke moved to Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens.

He became a stalwart in the centre, from 2005, scoring a total of 32 tries for the successful Saints, and was also a member of the England Saxons squad in 2009-10.

Clarke eventually moved on to Worcester Warriors (2012-14), before playing for Yorkshire Carnegie in the Championship.

He has most recently been on the coaching staff at Rotherham Titans, after being appointed the Yorkshire club’s backs coach in February, 2016.