AS Crook Town prepare for the biggest game of their recent history, their best-known former player has wished them luck.

As an 18-year-old, Frank Clark played for the County Durham side at Wembley in the 1962 Amateur Cup final before embarking on a career that took in 13 years at Newcastle United and a European Cup final with Nottingham Forest.

Still involved in football as vice-chairman of the League Managers Association, Mr Clark will be rooting for Crook as they take on Bury Town in the FA Vase quarter finals today.

He was a member of the side that played under the twin towers in front of 100,000 spectators more than 40 years ago, when Crook drew 1-1 with Hounslow before winning 4-0 in a replay at Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park.

About 2,000 fans are expected to be at the Millfield ground this afternoon and, although Mr Clark will not be among them, he has his fingers crossed that his former club will win.

"I still look for the results," said the ex-England youth international, who also ventured into management with Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. "It would be wonderful to see them win a trophy again. It's been a difficult time for them recently, so it would be a big boost for the club."

In the last round, Crook travelled to Northern Counties East league Arnold Town, winning 1-0 with a late goal from Roy Allen.

Mr Clark said: "I nearly went - I still live in Nottingham and saw all the publicity - but I couldn't get there on the day. But I was aware that they are doing very well."

Mr Clark spent a season and a half at Crook after coming to their attention playing for local side Highfield. A few months later, he was signed as a replacement for left-back Bert Steward.

He said: "We knocked Crook out of the Durham Challenge Cup, which was quite a giant-killing for us, but I must have impressed some of their officials. They must have remembered me from that game.

"I came at the start of the summer and we had some terrific games. I was the baby of the team, but players like Ray Snowball and Jimmy McMillan helped me.

"It was a wonderful experience - I've got nothing but happy memories."

For a full report and pictures, see The Northern Echo on Monday.