Father of footballer Leon Clarke dies after pub attack

An assault victim who died after being attacked on New Year's Eve was the father of footballer Leon Clarke, it has emerged.

The Bury striker's father, named in reports as 50-year-old Darrell Clarke, died in hospital on Saturday after suffering a head injury at a pub in Wednesfield, West Midlands.

In a statement, the League One club said they were aware of an "incident" which had brought about the death of the 30-year-old's father.

The statement added: "As a club we extend our deepest sympathies towards Leon and the Clarke family.

"Leon will be allowed the time to grieve and will receive the full support of everyone at the football club during this difficult time."

Detectives launched a murder investigation after the death of Clarke senior, who was injured in the beer garden of The Boat pub in Church Street, Wednesfield, at around 10.30pm on December 31.

He then made his way to the nearby Royal Tiger pub, where he asked staff for help and an ambulance was called.

A 22-year-old man arrested at the weekend in the connection with the inquiry has been released on police bail.

Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe, of West Midlands Police, is continuing to urge witnesses to get in touch.

The officer said: "The pub would have been busy with people out to celebrate the start of the new year.

"If you were in The Boat pub between 10pm and 11pm and saw anything that could help our investigation please dial 101."

The victim's son, who has also appeared for Wolves, Coventry, Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Charlton and Swindon, has so far played 23 games for Bury.

He joined the club last summer and started their most recent game - the 2-0 defeat at Fleetwood on Saturday.