RYAN Clarke is keen to repay Maitland’s faith in him as soon as possible after winning his appeal against an eight-month ban.
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While that will not be against Charlestown at Cooks Square Park in round three on Sunday, the Magpies are hoping the midfielder could be back as early as May 1 against the Jets Youth. Northern NSW Football and Maitland officials were awaiting word from Football Federation Australia on Friday about when Clarke will be cleared to play.
Clarke, with the support of Professional Footballers Australia, successfully appealed to FFA against the NNSWF suspension for bringing the game into disrepute on Thursday. The charges stemmed from statements Clarke made in the Newcastle Herald following news he was being investigated as the ring-in player in a H-grade semi-final last August. He was later given a 12-month ban which was cut to four games after he successfully argued the charge was wrong before pleading guilty to a new one. NNSWF then imposed a 12-month ban for his earlier statements. That was reduced to eight months on appeal before his successful hearing on Thursday.
Clarke was awaiting word on whether his four-game ban had been served and if he could be brought into Maitland’s roster outside the allotted windows. Players must be registered to serve bans and NPL talent must be on the club roster before the season starts to play the opening six rounds. Clarke, however, was unable to register because of the ban which has now been quashed and Maitland officials are hopeful of dispensation.
Regardless, Maitland coach Steve Piggott said Clarke would not play Sunday, but he welcomed the quality addition to his squad.
As for the appeal, NNSWF and Clarke were awaiting written findings before commenting on the ruling. Clarke was relieved to put the saga behind him and was sticking with Maitland despite losing an earlier deal with the club, who signed former A-League player Dean Heffernan and Matt Crowell after the ban.
“It’s good, I’m happy about it,” Clarke said. “Maitland stood behind me. Obviously there’s no money, so it’s playing more out of saying thanks for having faith. It’s good it’s all been put behind us.”
Clarke works for assistant coach Reece Thompson and thanked him for “standing behind me”. Magpies president Chris Rafferty said the club were hopeful of having Clarke on the field soon and were working with NNSWF.
On Sunday, Maitland will be without Heffernan, who copped a three-game ban for violent conduct, and Crowell, who is in the UK for family reasons. Ex-Magic midfielder Jarryd Johnson will debut for Charlestown off the bench. On Saturday, Lambton Jaffas host Hamilton at Edden Oval. On Sunday, Adamstown host Valentine and Weston welcome Broadmeadow.
Piggott said Ben Martin and Nick Russell would come into Maitland’s starting side for Heffernan and Crowell.
Jaffas coach James Pascoe said his side faced a test of their depth against Hamilton with the loss of Riley McNaughton, Alex Palozzi, Michael Williams, Kev Davison and Ben Hay.
Adamstown have No.1 goalkeeper Scott Carter back from suspension against Valentine, who have Wilson Edwards out for three weeks on suspension from his clash with Heffernan last week.
