Wembley trip to end traumatic year
Warrington hooker Jon Clarke will travel to Wembley this weekend hoping to consign a nightmare 12 months to history in glorious fashion.
A year ago Clarke was dreaming of helping Warrington to their first Challenge Cup final win since 1974 when disaster struck just days before the final against Huddersfield. The long-serving forward was told he needed surgery to repair a stress fracture of the ankle and his season was over.
The 31-year-old said: "I'd been struggling with an ankle injury for about six or seven weeks and it came to a head in the Wakefield game the week before Wembley, I was really struggling."
He added: "I went to see a surgeon on the Monday or Tuesday and he told me I had a big crack through the ankle and I needed it operated on as soon as possible."
The Great Britain international could only watch as his team-mates ended the club's long silverware drought without him, and his personal torment was only to get worse.
He began a comeback attempt in pre-season training but suffered a setback that ruled him out for much of 2010 as well.
In his absence the Wolves set the pace along with Wigan in the Engage Super League and they look likely to have a big say when the play-offs begin next month.
Clarke only returned to action last month, in time to help the holders book a return trip to Wembley, and he is anxious to make up for last year's pain.
"It put an end to my Wembley aspirations. It was gut-wrenching and soul-destroying at the time and nearly destroyed my career," he added. "But it is amazing how things turn around and I have worked hard and stayed positive.
"The ankle is fine. I don't think it will ever be as good as it was but I've been playing all right in the last few weeks having come back into what has been a very good side. Hopefully I can go back on Saturday and erase some of the bad memories from a personal point of view."
