SALISBURY City new signing Darrell Clarke insists stepping out of the Football League to join Blue Square Premier newcomers Salisbury City is far from being a backwards step in his career.

As he prepared to join his new team mates for this morning's training session, the 29-year-old former Mansfield Town, Hartlepool United and Rochdale player told the club's website: "It's a club on the up. I'm not taking it as a backward step - but a backward step to go forward.

"The club seems progressive with two promotions and I'm looking forward to hopefully being part of another one."

Clarke knows City player/coach Tommy Widdrington well having played alongside him at Hartlepool and says he has the utmost respect for him and manager Nick Holmes and for what they and assistant manager Barry Blankley have already achieved at Old Sarum.

But just how big an influence was Widdrington on his decision to head south?

"It was huge really. I played with Tommy for a few years at Hartlepool and really the Tommy factor brought me down here.

"I know what Tommy is. He's a winner. I've played with him and have got a hell of a lot of respect for him. As I said, he was a big influence on me coming down here and I'm looking forward to working with him and the gaffer."

"I've played with Bassy (Jon Bass) as well. He's top man. He spoke highly of the club and that also helped me make up my mind. It's a club on the up."

Clarke's career began with his home town club Mansfield, where he spent six seasons before heading north to Hartlepool.

He has a wealth of Football League experience with more than 250 appearances under his belt and has also had loan spells with Stockport County, Port Vale and Rochdale.

A knee injury temporarily halted his progress, but the midfielder insists he is fit and raring to go as City look to hit the ground running for their first season in the top flight of the non-league game.

"My injury problems have gone now. I missed the whole season two or three years ago, but I've been fully fit for the past two or three seasons so there's no problem. I'm fit and ready to go.

"I'm pleased to be down here and I'm looking forward to the new season."