JOE CLARKE loves to tell his Leamington team-mates that he graced the hallowed Wembley turf three times during his days with Wrexham.

It’s a boast that very few players at lower league level can brag about and Clarke, who made nearly 150 appearances in a four-year stay at The Racecourse, is only too happy to rewind the tape.

“Three Wembley appearances isn’t bad, is it?” said the 32-year-old midfielder, who returns to The Racecourse on Saturday to renew acquaintances with his old partners in the Reds’ engine room, Dean Keates and Jay Harris.

“I do keep reminding people about it. It’s a proud achievement and we do have a bit of banter about the days I played at Wembley.”

The first one is always the best as Clarke came off the bench to play is part in the FA Trophy final win over Grimsby Town in 2013.

“There were great celebrations and I was next up in the penalty shoot-out but let Johnny Hunt take all the glory,” added Clarke. “He had come through the academy and into the first team and he deserved it.”

Clarke then experienced the lows of a Wembley loss as Wrexham were beaten by Welsh rivals Newport County in the Conference play-off final just weeks later.

And two years later, he started the FA Trophy final against North Ferriby United, who scalped Wrexham 3-2 in extra time.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wrexham. They were good days with lots of good memories,” added Clarke, who has since played for Kidderminster, Brackley and Tamworth before joining up with Leamington.

“I’m really enjoying it here. We’ve got a good team and a great manager, who is prepared to give young lads a chance.

“I live in Solihull so playing for Leamington is great. It’s local to where I live and I’m still playing football.

“Football is the best job in the world and you have to keep going as long as you can.

“I’m feeling really good at the moment so long may it continue.”

Clarke’s experience in the middle of the park has been key to Leamington’s success this season.

They are on the brink of the play-off places in the National League North table and head to Wrexham on te back of a 5-0 thrashing of St Ives Town in Tuesday’s third qualifying round FA Trophy tie.

“We’re on a good run but we know we’re going to be up against it at Wrexham. But we want to keep that good run of form going and will give it our best shot.

“The National League North is a tough division but we’ve done well against the full-time teams like York City and Fylde.

“Wrexham have some very experienced players but we’ve got nothing to lose and our lads will enjoy playing at such a good stadium.

“Teams from the lower leagues used to raise their game every they came to us when I was a Wrexham player. So we’ll be doing the same.”

Asked if he’d be leading out The Brakes on his Racecourse return, Clarke added: “No. Jack Edwards is our captain. I stand in for him when he’s not playing.”

Sam Osborne has been one of the stars in the Leamington side while Danny Waldron added another goal to his tally in Tuesday’s big win over St Ives, where former Wrexham assistant manager Gary Mills was on the coaching staff.

“Sam’s come in from Notts County,” said Clarke.

“He wasn’t getting games there so he came to us and you’ve got to give the lad a lot of credit. He’s playing so well, scoring goals and has plenty of assists too.”

Osborne was the named National League North’s player of the month for November after scoring doubles in victories over York and Curzon Ashton and also got a late leveller against title-chasing Fylde.

The man looking to mastermind a cup shock is long-serving Brakes boss Paul Holleran.

He celebrated both 500 games and 10 years in charge at Leamington last year and will enjoy the experience of going up against Reds boss Keates.

As will Clarke, who added: “I came to a game last season and saw Deano and Darlo. It was good to catch up - as it will be on Saturday.

“It’s just a shame the fans won’t be there. Wrexham fans were great to me when I was there.”