James Clarke joins Solihull permanently

[Sedgwick]

I really wanted him to do well but I think we are going to have to get used to this happening with Ali Smith and him already having left under Clough and, I suspect, Tyrese Sinclair, Keaton Ward and Jason law who could all end up being released to National League sides at the end of the year.
A good bit of business in that he knows he is sorted for next season.

Usually when your youngsters aren't good enough at the right time, they get released for free. So far under Clough theres more young lads getting good experience than ever before on loan and if they do leave it benefits the club in the long term. Fee and sell on for Smith and the same for Clarke

[garlic]

Very disappointed, and I for one wouldnt be surprised if Clarke didnt play at the same level as MTFC in a couple of years time.

[Curry 9 Brace 7]

Cloughie would rather sign some old pro i think, rather than trust the young uns.

[MTFCMusings]

A bit of a shame. Fourth choice right back when everyone available. Think he probably will be good enough for L2 in the future, but if we get to L1 game time would be limited and we already need a right back upgrade as it is (in my opinion).

[georgefostersbeard]

Cloughie would rather sign some old pro i think, rather than trust the young uns.

But he is very positive about the youth set up and has more youth players in the squad than most recent managers. He played Sinclair and law extensively last season and has brought in Gale, Burke, as well as the young loanees. We have Stirk and Bishop playing day in, day out

[bobbystagsfan]

Cloughie would rather sign some old pro i think, rather than trust the young uns.

I don't think it's as simple as that. It's difficult enough to get promoted, but to try and blood youngsters and get them through at the same time is hard. Not impossible, but it makes it much harder imo.

And if it doesn't go right with youngsters, everyone moans that we should have signed experienced players

[garlic]

Cloughie would rather sign some old pro i think, rather than trust the young uns.

I don't think it's as simple as that. It's difficult enough to get promoted, but to try and blood youngsters and get them through at the same time is hard. Not impossible, but it makes it much harder imo.

And if it doesn't go right with youngsters, everyone moans that we should have signed experienced players

Very well put, if you dont mind me saying so. The problem of getting promoted without enough youngsters blooded is that staying promoted becomes a lot more expensive.

[Dan]

Very disappointed, and I for one wouldnt be surprised if Clarke didnt play at the same level as MTFC in a couple of years time.

It could be as early as august….

[yorkshire stag]

Good luck youth

[georgefostersbeard]

Very disappointed, and I for one wouldnt be surprised if Clarke didnt play at the same level as MTFC in a couple of years time.

It could be as early as august….

It could be or he could already be two leagues away from us. It shows the fine margins on decisions like this

[ParisStag]

Good luck, James. You clearly deserve first-team football. I have no problems with this. It shows that Clough is honourable enough to let James go so that he can progress his career, rather than force him to stay as a backup.

[Spiritater]

T'is a no brainer for James. Regular starter at a decent standard. Has to be better than probably not even getting on the bench now. His games have meaning now with 3 points up for grabs.

[Amber Andy]

I agree. A great move for Clarkie. I hope it goes well for the lad.

[yorkstag]

I great move. Personally I thought he was potentially the best right back at the club

[Sandy Pate Best Stag]

I great move. Personally I thought he was potentially the best right back at the club

I agree with that. Although not the finished article you could see him improving the more he played. I would have thought a season in the conference would have given him enough of a grounding to be worth another year’s contract.

Of course we don’t know who initiated the permanent, move and it could have been Clarke himself who wanted to move on as it was his best route to a higher level as a first choice player.

Whatever happened I wish him well.

[HU7stag]

I would have preferred to have kept him but all the best to him. Seems a good lad with the right attitude. I'm sure he'll continue to develop and improve.

[Rob]

Another one bites the dust.

[Tippy Tappy Football]

James Clarke scores for Solihull in a 4-2 win at Weymouth