Chiefs will hold a special place in my heart says Clarky

Hooker Neil Clark says Exeter Chiefs will forever hold a special place in his heart after it was confirmed this week he will leave the Aviva Premiership club at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old forward, who has just agreed a two-year deal with newly-promoted French side Oyonnax, will bring the curtain down on his career with the Devon club following Exeter’s final game of the season against Gloucester at Sandy Park on May 4.

In two spells with the Chiefs, Clark – who was this season awarded a testimonial year by the club – has to date amassed 187 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 tries in the process.

However, the Cornishman acknowledges his life span with the game is not destined to last forever and says the opportunity to have a taste of action the other side of the English Channel was something he was keen to savour before hanging up his boots.

“I’m aware that I don’t have all that many years left in me at the top end of the game,” explained Clark. “And to get an opportunity to play in France is something I’ve always wanted to do at some stage in my career.

“I’ll be honest, leaving the Chiefs is one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my life. Exeter rugby has had such an effect on me, not just in terms of playing, but in terms of my life as well. It’s a fantastic club and I’ve enjoyed so many happy memories from my time here.

“Playing in the Premiership and playing in the Heineken Cup have been brilliant, but I think the biggest highlight of my time here was winning the Championship and getting promoted against Bristol. I don’t think you can ever top that night at Bristol because it meant so much to me for so many different reasons.

“To get promoted that night was like a dream come true and it will always stay in my mind as one of the most important memories of my rugby career.”

Having initially cut his teeth with the Chiefs as a youngster under Ian Bremner, Clark returned in 2008 following spells with Bristol, Bath and the Cornish All Blacks to establish himself as a prominent figure in the club’s recent rise.

And the talented front-row forward was quick to pay tribute to the help he has received from current Exeter head coach Rob Baxter and team manager Robin Cowling in bringing his game onto a new level.

“I am so grateful to Rob for giving me the opportunity to come back,” he added. “I’ve always said there are not too many people who would have given me that second shot after the injuries I had, but Rob gave me that chance and hopefully I’ve repaid him with the performances I’ve put in.

“There is no ill-feeling from either side about me moving on, I think we both understand that this is a good opportunity, not just for me, but also my family as well.

“Exeter, though, I consider my rugby home. I’ve got lots of good friends here, I’m keeping my house here even though I’ll be in France, and I’ll be their biggest overseas fan next season. I will miss the place, of course I will, but one of the attractions of moving to Oyonnax was that it’s a different environment and it will challenge me in a different way.

“A bit like the Chiefs were a few years ago, they’ve just got promoted into the Top 14 and they are an ambitious club. I know a few of the boys over there, like Chad Slade and Joel El Abd, and I like a challenge – so what better way is there than to go in as a promoted side into the Top 14 and look to establish myself.”

Before departing Devon, though, Clark hopes to play his part for the Chiefs against the Cherry & Whites on the final day, before then bowing out with his Testimonial Match at Sandy Park on May 12 when a Clarky’s Classic XV take on a Cornwall All Stars XV (4pm).