CLARK BACK FOR CHOUGHS

AFTER A YEAR OUT, 17-YEAR-OLD MAKES HIS PLAYING RETURN

- By FOOTBALL WRITER

SATURDAY'S squad announcement for Retford FC's brought with it a feelgood story that will resonate with every football fan.

After a long and testing year on the sidelines, Joe Clark was back.

The 17-year-old's inclusion in the squad to face Wakefield marked a significant milestone in his inspiring journey back to fitness following a devastating ruptured achilles injury suffered during preseason last year.

It was a cruel blow for a young man whose football career was on a steep upward trajectory.

Before his injury, Joe had already shown his talents on the national schoolboy football scene, earning selection to the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) national squad.

He impressed further during a two-day training camp at St George's Park the home of England's national teams and had the honour of captaining the ISFA side in matches against Australia and Wales.

Joe's talents extended beyond football. He was also a standout schoolboy runner, ranking among the best in the country before injury halted his sporting progress.