Premier Division side Coventry City.

Last Friday, just a day after both played in the 5-1 win over Wolves -- Clarke setting up the first goal and scoring the fourth himself with a left foot volley -- new manager Bobby Gould called the Bermuda internationals into his office to tell them that he wouldn't be attempting to sign them and that they could stay on with the reserves for the rest of their trial period as the first team prepared to travel to Scotland that weekend.

The Bermudians decided to end their trial after just 10 days, Paynter going back to Virginia where he went to college and Clarke coming home and returning to work on Monday.

"Neil played at right back and I starter as striker,'' Clarke said of the Wolves game. "I thought I did good but what he (Gould) said was that the gap between us and the nucleus of the reserves was a big gap and that we didn't look that much above those players, also considering the age factor.

"I scored with a left foot volley from inside the 18-yard box and some of the players said it was a class goal. I was pleased with the effort and I had a better game and was more relaxed than the game against Kuwait. My attitude was to go out there and enjoy myself. I realised mistakes were going to be made.'' Gould told the pair that it would take more than a year to get adjusted to the demands of Premier Division football and that if he had been with a lower division club he might have taken the gamble of signing them.

Clarke, who turned 25 while in England, also feels age could have worked against Paynter (24) and him. "Realistically I didn't feel I stood a great chance of being signed with the time I had to make an impression,'' said the striker.

"Most of the players there are looking for the same thing you are -- a contract -- and there is going to be selfishness. There was a disadvantage in not playing with the other players for any length of time. It was hard to get into any rhythm with them.'' Clarke said he appreciated the honesty of the manager, though he didn't know where he stood as the club had already signed three new players, including a goalkeeper and a leftsided player from his former club, West Bromwich Albion.

"I didn't know if he was looking to sign new players or what,'' said Clarke.

"He had signed a striker from Swansea, a guy name John Williams who was the fastest footballer in England last season though I didn't get a chance to race him.

"He (Gould) is pretty honest and fair and said we had a good appetite for the game,'' said Clarke. "I felt we gave a good account of ourselves and looking at the approach we took I'm sure they would consider having other players over on trial.'' NEIL PAYNTER -- Back in Virginia after unsuccessful trials with English Premier League club Coventry.