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Clarke 30, was signed on loan by the Wanderers from Bradford City at the tail end of the 2000-2001 season and proved to be a more than able deputy for the injured Jussi Jaaskelainen. He played 12 games for the Trotters including one at the Millennium Stadium when he was an unsung hero during Bolton's 3-0 Play Off Final win over Preston North End which took the club back into the Premier League.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce had wanted the player to be part of his squad as they returned to the Premier League but Bradford's asking price was not one which Wanderers where willing to pay and eventually the Sheffield-born stopper moved South to link up with Palace where he has featured in just 35 games in two years, the last of which was on the opening game of this season when he was injured in a failed comeback attempt against Sheffield United at Selhurst Park.
The former Rotherham United & Sheffield Wednesday player said he was given the option to carry on playing with the aid of more surgery but decided it was better to hang up his gloves than have more time on the sidelines.
"I have now retired due to my injury, Two or three surgeons said I could have another operation. But that would mean being out for another couple of years, taking me towards the end of my contract. I had to take the decision to call it a day." Clarke told Sky Sports.