Grimsby Town Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of striker, Billy Clarke until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old, former Republic of Ireland international joins the club following his release from fellow Sky Bet League Two side, Plymouth Argyle.
Clarke began his career at Ipswich Town, coming through the academy system before penning a professional contract with the club in 2005. After a 4 year stay at the club, Clarke joined Blackpool and Ian Holloway, helping the club earn promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs. Before the following season had began, Clarke suffered a significant knee injury which kept him out of the entire campaign.
After a three year spell at the Seasiders, Clarke made the move to Crawley Town, where he went on to make 92 appearances in all competitions, scoring 24 goals in the process in a two year spell, securing the club’s Player of the Year award for the 2012/13 season.
Clarke then made the move to League One side, Bradford City where he linked up with fellow GTFC striker, James Hanson. After an 18 month spell at Charlton Athletic from the summer of 2017 until January 2019, Clarke returned to Bradford and in total, across two spells at the club, he made a total of 136 appearances in all competitions, scoring 26 goals before making the move down to Plymouth in the summer of 2019.
Speaking yesterday to the Totally Football League Show, manager Ian Holloway spoke about his new striker. “I’ve had him before, he was one of the younger ones who was totally frustrated with me and the situation because he was desperate to play”, said Ollie. “He was a massive part of what we did (at Blackpool) and his enthusiasm and I’m just trying to get him back. He will have to prove to me again but it’s his personality that I am bringing, I want us to believe, I want us to be fresh, I want hungry, hungry people who need to run, not want to run it’s a big difference”.
You will be able to catch Billy’s first interview with iFollow Mariners later this afternoon.
Clarke will now be eligible for selection for Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient, in which over 1,200 Mariners are expected to travel.
Welcome to the club, Billy!
