Clubs are able to move up, showing spirit (6)
I believe the answer is:
cognac
'spirit' is the definition.
'clubs are able to move up' is the wordplay.
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge).
'are able' becomes 'can'.
'to move' becomes 'go' (going is a kind of moving).
'up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'can'+'go'='cango'
'cango' reversed gives 'ognac'.
'c'+'ognac'='COGNAC'
'showing' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for cognac that I've seen before include "Brandy as for Napoleon (6)." , "strong drink" , "French brandy region" , "High quality brandy" , "Liquor" .)