Former Southend United winger Adrian Clarke was today preparing for life as a part-time footballer.

The 25-year-old wideman has joined non-league outfit Stevenage Borough and will debut for his new club in their Conference League opener at home to Scarborough tomorrow.

However, Clarke, who still lives in Wickford, admitted life was going to be a struggle now he had fallen out of the professional ranks of Football League soccer.

"Things are going to be hard," said the former Arsenal player, who has signed a two-year contract at Broadhall Way.

"The wages at Stevenage are a lot less than at Southend and I'm going to have to get myself a job to supplement my budget.

"My finances are very tight and the situation isn't going to get any easier as my girlfriend is due to give up work soon to give birth to our first child ."

During the summer Clarke, who was handed a free transfer by Blues last season, has been on trial at both Leyton Orient and Plymouth Argyle in the hope of staying in the League.

However, with no firm move on the horizon, Clarke opted to join Stevenage after playing in a friendly against his former Gunners team-mates last weekend.

"Arsenal had their first-team out and we lost 7-0, but it was still a great game to play in," added Clarke, who made seven league appearances for the north London giants.

"I was playing against Lee Dixon, who I know from my time at Highbury, and it sunk in just how far I have slipped down the football ladder.

"But you can't dwell on these things and I count myself lucky to have a club because there were hundreds of players out of work this summer.

"I'm still only 25 and I haven't reached my peak yet. Playing for Stevenage will put me in the shop window and I'm sure I can make it back into League football again," added the winger.

In the meantime, Clarke is looking for off-the-field employment and will be visiting the Evening Echo offices next week to take a closer look at a career in journalism.

"I've got A-level English and I've always fancied being a sports writer," explained Clarke.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.