Southend United is set to face Oldham Athletic in the National League play-off final, with the winner earning a prized place back in the English Football League. Peter Clarke, who played for Southend between 2006 and 2009, and for Oldham between 2016 and 2019, has expressed his split loyalty ahead of the match. Clarke, 43, had three fantastic years at Southend and thoroughly enjoyed his time at Oldham as well. The two clubs will kick off at Wembley Stadium, with as many as 54,000 people expected to watch, which would be a record for a National League play-off final. Clarke believes both Southend and Oldham should be in the EFL, given their strong support. He hopes that in 12 months' time, both clubs will be back in the football league and moving forward. Clarke started his senior career at Everton in 1999 and has also played for Blackpool, Huddersfield, and Tranmere Rovers. He is currently out of contract and hunting for another club, having most recently played for Warrington Town in National League North. Clarke is about a dozen games away from making 1,000 competitive appearances. The match at Wembley Stadium is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure a place in the EFL. Southend's fans will be hoping their team can come out on top, while Oldham's supporters will be cheering on their side with equal passion. The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the future of both clubs, with the winner taking a crucial step towards returning to the EFL. The National League play-off final is always a highly anticipated event, and this year's match promises to be just as exciting. With the stakes high and the tension palpable, the stage is set for a memorable encounter between Southend and Oldham.