Dean Clarke, Merthyr Town’s 40-year-old first team assistant manager, returned to playing action during their EvoStik Southern League match at Royston Town.

Midfield player Clarke made his first Martyrs appearance in seven years after being named among the substitutes in Hertfordshire and went on during the second half.

It is more than two decades since Clarke made his Merthyr Town debut.

The Martyrs travelled without a number of senior players and included a number of players from their development team plus veteran Clarke.

They were backed by more than 20 Martyrs fans who made the trip and manager Gavin Williams said: “The young lads were a credit to the club once again. I’d like to thank them for stepping up.

“Also a massive thank you to the first team players who travelled and to Dean Clarke for going on.

It’s the first game he played for the club for around 7 years.

“Our thanks also go to the supporters who travelled.

“It was always going to be tough, but it was great to see then get behind their team again.

“It was a great effort by everyone who travelled.  Pretty much everything that could go wrong went wrong, but I thought we acquitted ourselves well in the circumstances and I don’t think the scoreline was a reflection of the performance or effort put in by the players.”

Merthyr lost 5-1, a number of players finished school and college early to make the 420 miles round trip and the team coach suffered major delays going to a returning from Royston.

Traffic and accidents meant the coach arrived late, with kick-off delayed by 30 minutes, and did not arrive back in Merthyr Tydfil until 4am.

Hereford-born Clarke travelled in a coaching capacity, but answered the call when Williams asked him to be among the substitutes.

The Martyrs paid tribute to long-serving Clarke with a farewell match against Newport County during July 2011.

That came 13 years after he had first signed for Merthyr. He made a total of 372 competitive appearances during four spells with the club and played a major role for Merthyr in their Toolstation Western League title-winning season, which earned them promotion.

He had started his playing career with home town club Hereford United, making his first team debut on the last day of 1993-94, before moving on to Cheltenham Town. He first joined Merthyr in 1998, making just four appearances before transferring to Newport County.

Over the next 10 years he had spells at Barry Town and Bath City, but kept returning to Merthyr.

He was loved by Martyrs fans because of his total commitment, non-stop, aggressive approach and his encouragement of fellow players.

“Dean has been a fantastic servant to the club,” said Garry Shephard, who was Merthyr player-manager when Clarke retired.

“He never shirked a challenge and put his body on the line game after game, which is why the fans love him.”

Clarke works alongside manager Williams and first team coach Ashley Thomas for Merthyr and the three men have played a massive role in stabilising the club during a season rocked by financial worries.

EvoStik Southern League Premier Division

Merthyr Town remaining fixtures 2017-18

March

Saturday 17 v St Neots Town H

Saturday 24 v Biggleswade Town A

Saturday 31 v Bishops Stortford A

April

Monday 2 v Frome Town H

Saturday 7 v King’s Lynn Town A

Tuesday 10 v Chesham United H

Saturday 14 v Kings Langley H

Saturday 21 v Banbury United A

Saturday 28 v Redditch United H

The Martyrs have five home fixtures left this season. Admission is £10 adults. while concessions pay £8 (Over 65, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County season ticket holders).

Merthyr RFC season ticket holders pay £5 and under 16’s £1