Matt Clarke last night became the second defender to leave Darlington this week when he joined League One side, Bradford City, writes Craig Stoddart.

Captain last season and voted Player of the Year in 2003/04, manager David Hodgson had indicated he wanted Clarke to stay with Quakers but the 25-year-old has instead moved to the west Yorkshire club.

Two years after Bradford boss Colin Todd first tried to sign the Leeds-born defender, he passed a medical and penned a two-year deal yesterday.

Like Ryan Valentine, who this week signed a two-year deal at Wrexham, Clarke signed for Darlington in the summer of 2002 since when both have been regulars in the side, playing almost 200 games each.

Their departures leave Hodgson with gaps to fill. Clarke said: "I am really looking forward to playing in League One and especially under Colin Todd, who I know is highly respected in the game.

"It is a wrench to leave Darlington, I really enjoyed my football there and the supporters have been brilliant towards me. Now I am looking forward to the start of next season and what is going to be a big challenge for me."

Clarke could make an early return to Quakers as the Bantams visit the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena at the end of next month in a friendly.

It was reported last night that John Sotnick, who yesterday resigned as chairman of Boston United, is to be installed as the new chief executive at Darlington.

Sotnick cited financial reasons as the driving force behind his departure from York Street.

He said: "It is with great sadness that I convey this news as I would have really liked to have completed the job I started, but the facts are that Boston United are unable to renumerate me, and having dedicated the last two-and-a-half years to this club, I know I have to think of my own family and take steps to ensure that they are looked after. By that I mean to provide a home and continue to provide a healthy environment for my children to grow up."