FORMER Portland United manager Franklyn Clarke insists he tried to lead “from the front” in his tenure as player-boss.

Clarke, 29, opted to end a 27-month stay at the Blues to pursue other opportunities as a player.

In his 80 games as manager he won 17, drew 21 and lost 42 games with a win percentage of 21.

He also scored four goals during his time at the Camp & Satherley Stadium and leaves with his head held high.

His final game was Tuesday night's 5-2 loss at high-flying Bemerton.

READ MORE: Portland United 2-5 Bemerton Heath Harlequins - match report

He told Echosport: “When we first went into it, I probably didn’t realise what I was getting myself into.

“Then you throw yourself into it and you give everything. I’ve said about giving it blood, sweat and tears and I literally did do that.

“I felt like I led from the front, not only as a manager but as a player, which is a very difficult thing to do, to do both.

“It’s meant a lot in terms of I’ve learnt a lot of lessons, experienced a lot of things and I’ll always look back on it fondly as a fantastic experience and a job well done.

“It’s an experience I can always lean on in the future if needed.”

For now, Clarke will take a fortnight away from the game to rest and recharge before finding a new club to play for.

He said: “I’ll certainly be playing, I don’t want to stop. When I’m done, I’ll assess when I want to manage again.

“If I do, great, but if I don’t what an experience Portland’s been.

“The highlights for me were bringing the likes of Harry Hutchinson (on) and getting a move to Poole Town, two leagues higher.

“Matty Burrows signing for Weymouth, who’s now gone on to Totton. We signed him from Balti last summer.

“Bringing the young players through, giving them opportunities, they’re the highlights.

“In terms of games, Fareham away when we scored seven was a real highlight. Everything clicked that day.

“The most recent was Shaftesbury away when we were getting beaten 3-0 and we ended up coming back and drawing 3-3.

“That really epitomised everything I wanted my team to represent.”