PETER Clarke claims striker Ryan Lowe's experience will be missed, not just on the pitch but in the dressing room as well.

Clarke and Lowe were two of the older heads in the squad this season, with both players having a positive influence on the younger members of the Bury brigade.

Lowe, aged 37, will become a free agent once his contract expires at the end of June after rejecting an “appearance incentivised” extension at Gigg Lane.

He reminded Bury fans on Saturday just what they will be missing, scoring twice in a match-winning display against Southend in the final game of the League One campaign.

But while his departure may take a while to sink in for supporters, Clarke says his old friend's decision to leave will be just as keenly felt by the players.

“He will be missed, not just on the pitch but he is great to have around the dressing room,” said the 34-year-old defender.

“He is always full of laughs, a happy character and always wants to make people feel good about themselves and his experience has been important to some of the young players as well.

“He's taken a new direction in his career and we wish him all the very best. I have no doubt that he will make a success of his next step.”

Although team-mates this campaign, Clarke remembers some tough tussles against the Liverpudlian throughout their years in the Football League.

Lowe's winning mentality is what Clarke thinks sets the former MK Dons and Tranmere forward apart from most of the others he has come up against.

He added: “Lowey's a top, top individual. As a player, having played against him over the course of our careers you know you are always going to be in for a tough game.

“Lowey's someone who fights and scraps for every ball, wants to win whether it's a friendly, training session, the most important match of his career, a game of tiddlywinks even, Lowey is a winner. He wants to win no matter what.

“The fact he has had the longevity he has had in his career is down to that mentality.”

Clarke missed only one league match all season following his free transfer from Blackpool last summer.

He went on to scoop four awards at last week's end-of-season dinner, including the Bury Times Player of the Season.

And the centre-back revealed to the Bury Times just how he keeps so fit, with a little tip off his former grassroots manager.

“I try to train as often as I can, get out on to the training pitch every day and try to run things off,” Clarke explained.

“Over my career I have been relatively lucky with injuries. Growing up in the boys team I played for, the manager told us that when we went down you weren't hurt so get up.

“I suppose that's always stuck with me and I've been fortunate to not suffer too many injuries.

"So when there are little niggles and bits and pieces I try and get out and train and make myself available for selection."