Stowmarket Town’s latest signing Ethan Clarke revealed how he and new team-mate, Ollie Brown, received offers from Bostik North side AFC Sudbury, before opting to sign for Rick Andrews’ men.

The 24-year-old has joined the revolution at Greens Meadow, leaving fellow Thurlow Nunn Premier side, Felixstowe & Walton, along with Leiston defender Brown – who has dropped down from the Bostik Premier – and fellow summer signings, Jemel Fox, Scott Mitchell, Andrew Wood and Angelo Harrop.

By signing for Stowmarket, the versatile midfielder/wing-back will link-up once again with his brother, Anton, the duo having played together at Whitton United.

“I spoke to Ollie when he was umming and ahhing about where to play, he is a family friend, and we both got offers from Sudbury so we were in the same boat,” said Ipswich-based Clarke, who attracted interest from Leiston last summer.

“I am in a similiar position to him, with a family and a house, so ideally I wanted to stay local at a club where I thought I would enjoy my football.

“I was in a similar position last summer when I spoke to Glenn Driver about going there (Leiston) but at the time I could not do it.

“I still want to play higher, I believe I am one of the best wing-backs in the county (at Thurlow Nunn Premier level), and I think I would be able to make the step up, even if it was to the North division first.”

Clarke finished as a runner-up in the Thurlow Nunn Premier last season, as Felixstowe came a distant second to Mildenhall Town, while Stowmarket were winning the Division One title.

“It was really hard to leave Felixstowe but the squad Rick (Andrews) is putting together is unbelievable on paper and if we gel together, there is no reason why we can’t be challenging at the top in a league I want to win,” he added.

“It was unbelievable playing for Felixstowe and the people behind the scenes were great – it was quite sad when it came to an end.”

He added: “One of the attractions (of joining Stowmarket) is playing with my brother. We bring out the best in each other as we expect so much.

“There are also five or six Ipswich lads that myself or Anton grew up with so there is a lot of close friendships.”