A young goalkeeper from Whitehaven is starting to make a name for himself over the border.
Nineteen-year-old Gio Clarke has taken on the number one role at Annan and has helped them to a four-match winning run.
But it’s been a roundabout route to Galabank for the west Cumbrian who has spent time at Boreham Wood, Wealdstone and Cheadle Town.
The former St Benedict’s School pupil had started as an outfield player with both Cleator Moor Celtic and Windscale, and was about 11 when he switched to the goals.
He was 16 when he got a trial with Boreham Wood and played in their academy for a year before he moved to Wealdstone.
Although he didn’t play for the first team he travelled with them a few times for National League games which was a great experience.
Gio came back up north last season and played with Cheadle Town in the North West Counties, getting half a dozen games in the first team.
When he came home to Whitehaven in the summer he went for a trial to Annan and they signed him on.
He made his debut against St Mirren B in a Cup match and they scored an injury time penalty to draw 2-2.
He didn’t play the following game, a 6-0 home defeat to Clyde but was brought in for the trip to Forfar and saved a penalty in a 1-0 defeat.
He has kept his place in the side since then and it’s been in a winning team. The four match winning run has seen them beat Rangers B 4-3 at home; East Kilbride 3-1 at home and then two good away wins – 1-0 at Stranraer and 2-1 on Saturday at Hamilton Academicals.
He trains Tuesday and Thursday nights and is hoping to stay in the team and keep the winning run going.
Annan are at home to Stirling Albion on Saturday and that should be a good game.
Stirling are fourth in Scottish League Two with Annan lying sixth but both teams have 11 points.
