Boro’s summer 2022 transfer activity picked up pace in the middle of June with the arrival of Max Clark from Rochdale. He was actually the second lad to sign for us in the space of a week after Dean Campbell joined on loan. Overall, it took our close season recruitment to six; gaffer Steve Evans working to shape the squad he wanted to take on League Two in 2022-3. In coming to the Lamex, Clark had traded one League Two side for another by leaving Dale. Not that you should see that as an issue. It’s merely a statement of fact we feel duty-bound to share.
Clark brought with him experience of the Football League and the Netherlands’ Eredivise. And that ain’t something that we’ve said often. Upon his arrival at the Lamex, the player said: “I have been talking to the manager for a couple of weeks now, and they have always been positive conversations. He spoke of his ambitions for the new season, and that made me want to be here. I will give 100% every time I put on a shirt, work hard for the boys and give everything I have. I want to achieve things here and be up there fighting for promotion, and the manager feels the same way too.”
And achieve things he did; promotion to League One in fact. The departure of loanee Saxon Early during the 2022-3 campaign gave Clark a good run at left back and he made some telling contributions. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be enough to keep him at the club; Steve Evans releasing him in summer 2023.
Max Clark: Before Boro’
Born in Hull, Clark’s career started at Barham Boys Club and then moved up a gear when his hometown club took him in. He made his way through the academy system with the Tigers; ultimately stepping up to become a fully-fledged pro. As is often the way, the player found himself out on loan twice in 2016 to further his development. Both times saw him move to Cambridge United for a temporary spell.
In summer 2018, Clark’s career took an unusual step (we think). After turning down a new deal at Hull City, he made the move across the North Sea; rocking up at Vitesse Arnhem. He’d spend two-and-a-half years with the club too. But we’d guess that Covid-19 may have brought that to a slightly premature end. In February 2021, he came back to the UK – and back to Hull City on a short-term deal. Of course, we stand corrected if that wasn’t the case.
Clark left the Tigers for a second time at the end of the 2020-1 campaign. Fleetwood Town came in for him and took him across the Pennines from coast to coast. He signed a one-year deal with an option of a second. The Cod Army wouldn’t ultimately take that option up as Clark’s time at Highbury came to an end in January 2022 by mutual consent. In the half-season he was there, he played 15 times for them. At this point, the player signed for Rochdale until the end of term.
