Leon Clarke's sudden departure has come at a most inopportune time. There was every indication that at some time in the next 2 or 3 months he was likely to notch an actual goal for the Poppies. Those first 4-5 games where he didn't have a single effort of note seem a distant memory. Great days where he barely moved above walking pace, and generously never caused defenders any problems whatsoever. For the next few games Leon crept closer and closer to, if not actually scoring a goal, at least making the goalkeeper aware he was on the pitch. The locals at Berkhamsted and Leiston will talk in whispered, reverential tones for many years to come of the day THE Leon Clarke played at their stadiums and almost had an effort on target.
And then. It happened. Mark the date - Tuesday 21st November 2023. Leon lumbered into the air like a disinterested salmon and headed the ball towards the Mickleover goal. An actual attempt on goal where, if the keeper had not made a regulation save, it would have been an honest-to-goodness goal. We were THAT CLOSE to seeing an actual, live Leon Clarke goal. For the Poppies. In the flesh.
In the end it wasn't to be. Leon has left us, heading to his 300th club and they will be the next team willing to take on the eternal quest of trying to tease a goal from him before he gets his bus pass. We wish them all the best.
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As interested as Leon
ever looked in a Poppies shirt. |
Could have been the next Robbie Cooke in my humble opinion.
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