Mansfield Town have announced plans to hold a minute of applause in the eighth minute of Saturday's League Two play-off final in support of former player and current Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke.
The Stags and Vale clash in their hunt for promotion at Wembley, but Mansfield intend to show a symbol of solidarity with Bristol Rovers legend Clarke, who suffered a close family bereavement in February.
Clarke spent several weeks on compassionate leave before returning to work just before the end of the regular season. Since retaking his place in the dugout, he has led Vale into the play-off final with a victory over Swindon Town on penalties in the semi-final last week.
Tensions boiled over in that game, with Clarke sent to the stands after tangling with Swindon captain Dion Conroy on the touchline and the Vale boss later said it was out of character and he has "had an emotional time".
Clarke made more than 170 appearances for hometown club Mansfield at the start of his playing career and the Stags will show their support for their former midfielder beneath the Wembley Arch on Saturday.
"We invite supporters to join us in applause after the eighth minute at Wembley this Saturday as we send our well wishes to Vale manager and former Stags midfielder Darrell Clarke," a spokesman said. Darrell, who wore the number eight for us, experienced a close family bereavement earlier this year."
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke ahead of Saturday's final, Clarke shared his gratitude for the support he and his loved ones have received.
“I am so grateful and thankful, so are my family," he said. "The love shown and the support from everybody at the club has been absolutely exceptional. The supporters and the football community in general… I have had tremendous support from the LMA and the PFA and continue to have that support.
"It’s not a quick fix. Loads of people out there who have lost loved ones tell you that it’s not easy. But certainly, I am a fighter and my family are. The support and love that people have shown us has certainly given us the strength needed to return.”
Clarke won back-to-back promotions as Rovers' manager, taking the Gas from the Conference to League One from 2014-16, and Gasheads would love to see a repeat of the scenes that followed the Conference play-off final win over Grimsby Town in 2015, with the manager's jubilant celebrations on the pitch one of the overriding memories of a special day for the club.
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