‘Show why I’m Courtney Clarke’ – Walsall star on Jamaica breakthrough

Courtney Clarke said last season that he felt he was “living in a dream” when he joined Walsall in 2025.

Now, Clarke has over a year of Football League experience under his belt and is even making his first forays into international football.

The dream is now a reality and Clarke feels very different from the Courtney Clarke who arrived at Bescot 16 months ago.

‘I know I can show people why I’m Courtney Clarke’

“I’d say I’m in a completely different mindset where I have the belief in myself now,” Clarke explained.

“It’s not a dream because I’m good enough to be here. I know I can do more and show why I’m Courtney Clarke really.”

Clarke made 50 appearances for the Saddlers last season, scoring twice and setting up seven more.

His performances earned him his first call-up to the Jamaica national team and he seized his opportunity by scoring on his debut in a 2-0 win over India in June.

“Towards the end of the season, I got called up for Unity Cup. I heard speculation, but the video confirmed it,” he recalled.

“I couldn’t believe it was actually real. Some people say: it’s just the Unity Cup, but it means a lot more.”

After featuring twice for the Reggae Boyz over the summer, Clarke went on to earn four more caps during the most recent international break.

On representing Jamaica on the international stage

That provided him with the chance to play on home soil in Kingston. Family has always been a key driving force behind his motivations and many of them were there to witness his latest momentous milestone.

He continued: “Playing on home soil was a big dream come true because my grandma, my mum and my sister were there.

“I’m very Jamaican and I have a lot of family out there who have watched me since I was a small kid and now I’m playing for the national team.

“It was a big moment for me.”

Clarke has continued to build on his promising debut season at Walsall and has evolved into a winger, first under former interim head coach Darren Byfield, and now with Lee Grant at the helm.

It’s been a remarkable journey from his days in non-league with South Shields and Eastbourne Borough, but Clarke is eager to keep climbing the footballing ladder.

“Making my debut, [I felt nerves] until I stepped on to the pitch and then it didn’t really phase me anymore.

“I’ve just got to do my thing because I’m the type of person who likes to grab a game by the scruff of the neck.

“So I’ve just got to believe that I’m good enough to be here and I have to grab any opportunity both at Walsall and international level, as I I just want to get to the top level.”