RUGBY LEAGUE fans have reacted with sadness after legendary commentator Phil Clarke announced he was leaving Sky Sports.
The 52-year-old represented both Great Britain and England during his days as a back-rower or stand-off in the 1980s and 90s.
He played for Wigan, winning five consecutive Challenge Cup Finals from 1991, and then moved to Australia to play rugby league for the Sydney City Roosters.
Clarke, whose father Colin Clarke also played for Wigan and England, has remained in the sport as a manager, executive and a commentator – with his voice becoming synonymous with Sky Sports’ coverage.
However, he has now announced that it is time to “complete the circle of life” and go back to being a supporter and hang up his microphone with the broadcaster after over three decades.
In an emotional statement confirming the news, Clarke wrote: “Throughout the course of my life, I’ve been lucky to see Rugby League from many different angles.
“It began as a young boy watching my dad play for Wigan, then transitioned into playing for that club and later became the CEO at the Warriors.
“For the last 23 years, I have had the privilege of holding a Sky Sports microphone and watching my favourite sport from the commentary box and studio.
“The time is now right for me to complete the circle of life and return to being the fan that I began as.”
Clarke continued: “I now want to move onto the next chapter of my life and hand over the microphone baton. I feel compelled to thank so many of the people that I have worked with at Sky, especially Neville Smith, Eddie and Stevo, Bill Arthur and the rest of the team who helped me when I first started to work there.”
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He then concluded: “If my memory is correct, I played in the first game that Sky (or BSB as they were then) showed of Rugby League back on 1st April 1990.
“I now look forward to watching all the games that they will cover this season and beyond.
“I wish Brian Carney and the rest of the team all the best for 2024.”
Fans reacted to the news with disappointment, as one wrote on social media: “It’ll be very weird to watch Rugby league and not hear his voice.”
Another hailed him as a “great guy” while another commented: “Legend. You’ll be missed.”
Sky Sports’ executive director of content, Steve Smith, also hailed Clarke’s “integral” role of providing the coverage both “on and off the pitch”.
He said: “Phil has been part of the Sky Sports rugby league family over three decades, and has been an integral part of our coverage, on and off the pitch, since it began.
“We wish him every success for the future and know that he’ll always be a great support to the rest of the team from afar, and will enjoy tuning in as a fan when next season starts.”
