19 April 2024 , 10:07
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Redditch United manager Matt Clarke appeared in court in February over cocaine and cannabis supply charges, as well as a charge of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000
Clarke, 50, had been manager of the side for more than three years. The ex-defender also spent time on the club's books as a player, and was assistant manager before taking full charge early in the 2020-21 season, but it was announced in February that he would be taking break from his role.
He appeared in Hereford Magistrates Court in February along with two fellow defendants and was indicted at Worcester Crown Court in March. He has been remanded on conditional bail and is due to reappear at Worcester Crown Court on May 7 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The club has made no public statements on Clarke since announcing his break. Mirror Football has approached Redditch United for comment.
"Matt Clarke will be taking an immediate break from football for personal reasons. At this stage, we anticipate this to be a short break," the club said in a February statement. "The current backroom staff will be leading the team, and it is expected that this will continue to be the case until Matt’s return."
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As a player and manager, Clarke has spent the bulk of his career around the West Midlands. He was on the books of Wolves and West Bromwich Albion as a youngster, and also spent time with Telford United before joining Redditch as a player.
Clarke's managerial career included spells with Halesowen and Evesham before he joined Redditch. The team finished ninth in the Southern League Premier Division Central in the 2022-23 season.
Clarke appeared in court in Hereford in February (SWNS)With two games of the current season remaining, Redditch sit just outside the play-off places on goal difference. The club had been sharing post-match interviews with Clarke earlier this season before his break, and also shared a behind-the-scenes video with the manager on their YouTube channel on February 23.
After losing six straight games in March and early April, the non-league side secured back-to-back wins in their last two fixtures. A 1-0 win at Stratford Town was followed by a 5-0 victory over Leiston, keeping them in play-off contention.
Redditch's next game sees them back on the road against Barwell on Saturday. They will then conclude the campaign at home to Needham Market, though further games could follow in the play-offs.