Jon Clarke arrived at Franklin’s Gardens after Bristol Shoguns were relegated to Division One at the end of the 2002/03 season. A star of the Bristol academy under the tutelage of Paul Hull, JC quickly became a star of the Saints Academy, and indeed, the Saints first team squad. World Cup absences catapulted the youngster to starting place in the Saints line-up in their first home game of the season against London Wasps. What a debut! The wing ended up scoring his first try for the club that day to help Saints to a handy home win.
Jon’s talents were also recognised by the England U21s set-up and he started at full-back for every one of their Grand Slam winning Six Nations. However, Clarke was immediately back on duty on his return to the club and he marked his return with a stunning solo try against Bath last month. He also collected the Young Player of the Year award at the 2003/04 club awards ceremony.
Last season was less of fairytale as a groin injury thwarted his efforts to retain his grip on the black, green and gold jersey. He played in seven games for Saints and scored three tries, as well as four games, and a further three tries, for the Wanderers.
However, if 2005/06 was the Year of the Dog in Chinese terms, then it surely had to be the Year of the JC in Saints terms. He literally went from zero to hero care of a decision by then-head coach Paul Grayson. He was catapulted back into the limelight when Grayson handed him the No 13 shirt in the absence of injured Geoff Appleford.
JC has slotted in very well at outside centre and started every game – bar one – and scored eight tries. He also recorded his 50th game for the club, and picked up his cap for doing so at the end of season dinner, on the last day of the season.
But 2005/06 also saw the return of Jon to the England set-up. He played in both of England A’s games against Italy and Ireland but was also invited to the full England training sessions at Pennyhill Park Hotel during the Six Nations to get him used to the international environment. Sadly, a hernia operation prevented him from furthering his international career during the summer but he was nominated for both the PRA and GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP Young Player of the Year awards.
Unfortunately the meteoric rise of JC the centre came to a shuddering halt half-an-hour into the first GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP match at home to Newcastle. A fractured ankle led to an early departure from that game, an operation the following morning and no action for the remainder of 2006.
Jon returned to the fray in time for the last three Saints matches of 2006/07 - indeed three of the biggest matches in the club's history. As well as starting the Heineken Cup semi-final against London Wasps he played in the Premiership matches at Wasps and the final day win over London Irish. Unfortunately by now it was too little, too late and Jon couldn't help the Saints avoid relegation.
He has faced stiff competition for the number 13 shirt in 2007/08 though. Neil Starling's return to fitness was added to by the willingness of Jim Mallinder to play Carlos Spencer and Bruce Reihana in the same position. After a slow start Jon has slowly regained full confidence and strength and is now almost back to his best.
