Jack's back

Charlton youngster Jack Clark has returned to SE7 after his loan stay at Bognor Regis Town came to an end.

The left-back, who signed his first professional contract last summer, headed out for his first taste of senior football action when he joined the Ryman Premier Division Rocks in early November.

The deal was initially for a month, but after some impressive displays, the tall Sidcup-based defender, nicknamed Sticks, saw his spell extended until the start of February.

The 18-year-old travelled with Charlton's first-team squad on their pre-season trip to Ireland but has yet to break into Phil Parkinson's side, although he was a shock inclusion on the bench for an FA Cup fourth-round trip to Sheffield United last term.

Quick and dynamic, Clark, who turns 19 later this month, can also play in the centre of defence and has been with the Addicks since being spotted on one of the club's community coaching courses as a nine-year-old.

Clark leaves Bognor in exactly the same spot as when he joined - second from bottom in the table. During his spell with the club, they won two league games - at Crays Wanderers and Kingstonian.

The Rocks have experienced some turbulent times in recent seasons. They were relegated from the Blue Square South in 2008/09, following a defeat by Charlton's near neighbours Welling United in April. The club suffered financial problems, were docked seven points for fielding an ineligible player - one of the 54 they used in the campaign - and had three managers.

Stalwart general manager Jack Pearce, a former player and manager in his 39 years at the club, also suffered a cancer scare and an arsonist burned the Nyewood Lane clubhouse to the ground.