I am a little late to this, as he joined a couple of weeks ago, but it’s only just popped up on my feed. It’s not made any easier by the fact that there is a Max Clark in MLS who gets a lot of coverage!
Clark, who featured for City as a trialist during pre-season, has signed for National League side Hartlepool United. The 30-year-old has agreed a deal until January following his departure from Gillingham in the summer, with Pools announcing the signing subject to approval. He will wear the number 52 shirt for his new club, where head coach Pete Wild has added an experienced option capable of playing at full-back or in midfield.
Clark was among the six trialists we looked at during our summer preparations, featuring down the left against Doncaster Rovers. With Adam Reach, Ryley Towler and Callum Elder involved against Barnsley, he was the only left-sided option in that game and looked comfortable against League One opposition.
My assessment at the time was that he looked tidy enough without doing anything spectacular. Had he been wearing Doncaster’s red and white, he would not have looked out of place, but with our existing options and the step up to the Championship, I could not see him being offered a deal.
Instead, he has found his next opportunity at Hartlepool after three seasons with Gillingham. Speaking on his arrival, Clark was looking forward to getting back to work and making an impression on his new supporters.
“I’m thrilled to join the club; it’s been a busy couple of days, but I’m pleased to get started with the lads, and I’m looking forward to showing the supporters what I can offer.”
Wild highlighted both his versatility and his motivation in explaining the signing. The Pools head coach believes Clark can contribute to their attempts to climb the National League table.
“He’s an experienced and versatile defender who arrives with an eagerness to prove a point and help the club progress up the league table.
“Max’s experience will be important, and he’s exactly what we are after at the moment.”
Clark came through the ranks at hometown club Hull City, gaining senior experience on loan at Cambridge United before establishing himself in the Tigers’ first team. He subsequently moved to Vitesse Arnhem, where he played in the Dutch top flight and appeared in Europa League qualifying against Basel.
A return to Hull was followed by spells with Fleetwood Town, Rochdale and Stevenage, helping the latter win promotion to League One in 2023. Gillingham then became his home for three seasons before his summer release brought him into our pre-season plans.
He never looked a likely signing for us, but that did not make his Doncaster performance a poor one. Hopefully, the move gives him the chance to settle back into regular football and put that experience to use.
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