Mitch Clarke ready for new test with Rushall

The versatile defender or midfielder was snapped up by Liam McDonald this week as the Pics look to improve on their eighth-place finish in Southern Central last season. And after impressing for Sutton at the level below last season, Clarke can’t wait to start.

“This was the perfect time for me to come here and push myself at a higher level,” he said. “I’m 26 and probably the fittest I’ve been. After a good year at Sutton Coldfield, I improved a lot as a player last season and now I want to test myself in this league.

“I try to lead by example, whether that is in training or match situations.

“I loved being captain at Sutton Coldfield last season – to be picked as skipper is special and it shows that the manager backs you and sees good qualities in you.

“I’ll always roll my sleeves up and work hard for the team, so that’s what I intend to do here.

“It’s going to be a hard, competitive league, there are some big clubs at this level with large budgets and it will be a challenge for us, but it’s one that I am very much looking forward to.

“I just want to go out there and play with confidence. I’ll be looking to be consistent with my performance levels and just enjoy it.

“There’s a good squad being built here and after finishing just outside the play-offs last season, there is no reason why we can’t get in there this time around.

“We had a great first training session on Tuesday evening and there’s a great group of lads here. The gaffer is ambitious and knows what he wants, so really we just can’t wait for the season to get started.”