A pressure plate for use in a friction clutch assembly comprises a substantially flat annular coupling face for frictional engagement with a coupling face of a clutch plate and one or more discontinuities formed in the coupling face of the pressure plate. The discontinuity(ies) decrease a greater relative proportion of the surface area closer to an inner radius of the coupling face of the pressure plate than an outer radius of the coupling face of the pressure plate to increase a mean effective radius of the surface area. The discontinuity(ies) include a generally circumferential groove around an inner portion of the coupling face of the pressure plate and, at each end of the generally circumferential groove, a wiper portion of the coupling face of the pressure plate extending inwardly toward an axis of rotation of the pressure plate(s).