Football manager Matt Clarke is facing charges of supplying cocaine and cannabis, after taking a surprise leave of absence from the touchline in February.
Redditch United announced that the 50-year-old Clarke will be having a break from football for personal reasons.
The club wrote on their official website: “Matt Clarke will be taking an immediate break from football for personal reasons. At this stage, we anticipate this to be a short break.”
“The current backroom staff will be leading the team, and it is expected that this will continue to be the case until Matt’s return.”
However, he has now appeared in Hereford magistrates’ court with two co-defendants over the drug allegations on Valentine’s Day.
In addition to the drug charges, Clarke also faced a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place when he was formally accused at Worcester Crown Court the previous month.
Clarke, who has been at Redditch United since 2020, will appear again on May 7 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The Southern Football League Premier Division club’s statement on Clarke’s hiatus came two weeks after the offenses are alleged to have taken place on February 13.
The club said at the time that they anticipated it “to be a short break”.
The club has not commented on his charges, but fans have expressed shock and disappointment at the news.
It is yet to be seen what impact these charges will have on Clarke’s future at the club, but for now, the team will continue under the guidance of the current backroom staff.
This serves as a reminder that off-field issues can quickly overshadow the beautiful game of football, and the need for clubs to ensure their staff are representing them in a positive light both on and off the pitch.
Who is Matt Clarke?
Matt Clarke is a former football player who was born in England on January 7, 1974 ( 50 years old).
The former right-back Clarke played for West Bromwich Albion and Wolves as a youngster.
He later joined Kidderminster, Hereford, and Telford United before he hung his boot as a professional footballer.
His managerial career
Matt Clarke has steadily built his coaching career over the years, starting at the youth levels before eventually landing the top job at Redditch United.
Clarke started his coaching career at Halesowen and also managed Evesham before joining Redditch in 2020.
Despite his relatively young age as a manager, he has shown great promise and dedication to the club.
It is uncertain whether Clarke will continue to lead the team beyond 2024, even if his current crime charges are resolved before his contract ends.
What’s next?
It remains to be seen if the aftermath of Clarke’s charges would not cost him his managerial job.
Redditch chairman David Faulkner gave “no comment” when asked if Clarke had been sacked or would ever return as manager.
