Signing now confirmed on a pre contract basis. From the website:-

CLARKE SIGNS PRE-CONTRACT

15/01/2008 03:00PM

Clyde are delighted to announce that Cowdenbeath's Pat Clarke has today signed a pre-contract deal with The Bully Wee. The 5'11 striker has been tracked by Colin Hendry for some time and he agreed a summer switch to Broadwood this afternoon.

Edinburgh-born Clarke, 22, started his career as a youth at Dunfermline at the same time as Craig McKeown. He made just two appearances for the then SPL club and - after a loan spell at Berwick - then signed for Raith Rovers, scoring two in his debut against Clyde in February 2005.

After a mixed time at Stark's Park, Clarke signed for Second Division Cowdenbeath in the summer of 2006 and went on to post a fine tally of 17 goals in his first season at The Blue Brazil.

His potential has continued to be shown this season, with 7 goals in 13 starts to his name.

Pat is delighted to give his long-term commitment to Clyde and the club and player alike are now looking forward to the day when he can play competitively for The Bully Wee.

Great signing.

Well done Colin.

did he bring spare sponges?

Better get him a diving suit as well.

I've never been overly impressed with him but his goal scoring record is very good and he is still young and learning.

Would love to have him now, but I suppose this will do - just so long as we don't go down

I take it this was one of the instances of Clyde "already having agreed deals on the back of the Dundee United money" before they actually had the cash.

Now far be it from me to criticise but if thats is the case and the game was then to be off for any reason tonight how are you then gonna finance it?

Good stuff. Hopefully they'll announce the others we have signed on Pre's but that's a great start. Here's hoping he can live up to his potential.

they have an exclusive wooden peg deal with Bid up TV.....Colin Hendry will host a three hour washing line accessory special.

You've become more boring than primary school hmyn practices.

jesus thats poor...really really poor.

Good player. Been impressed what I have seen of him. Definately has the attributes to do well in the first division.

gutted but really hope he does well for you. Sometimes need patience with Pat as you get some indifferent performances but he is always a threat with his pace.

So is the Sky money bankrolling this deal? Buchs went to Partick for a figure of between £20k and £30k depending on who you listen to! Clarke should also be in this range I would think.

I think it's imperative that his services are available to the club ASAP. We don't need a striker for next season, we need one for this! Everything within our power should be done to get him this month.

According to Clyde the other day the money from sky was "already spent" due to offering exisiting players new/improved deals and making offers to new signings amongst other things.

Take from that what you will about this particular signing.

When I read the papers, and saw that we had spent the money before we had received it I was not best pleased, (and remain so). Just fortunate that Alex Ferguson came to the rescue allegedly.

Never an astute decision in the context of football, to spend money you're not guaranteed to ever possess. You've got to question the club surely?

My point exactly Sao Paolo.

Also as I asked a few posts up, what happens if the game tomorrow night falls cause of the weather?

Same problem, money already spent but not going to be received.

Aye, if the game's off tomorrow, I doubt even a call to Sir Alex would remedy it! (That said he's apparently a very influential chap. )

good signing for Clyde.

should mean they don't slide right through the second division next season.

I don't know if i mentioned this but i used to have a mannish PE teacher called Pat "the man" Clarke.

*check sex offenders register*

you sure it wasn't the infamous "Pat the man" Clark who lives in Perth??

In my opinion Clarke isn't nearly the player Buchanan is. Even in the Second Division, Buchanan always looked lively and has continued to do so in the First; as I said earlier I don't think I've seen Clarke have a good game despite seeing him 6 or 7 times.

Wouldn't say I've never seen him have a good game, but I agree that he's nowhere near the quality of Buchanan, who was one of the best players in the 2nd Division and is doing well in the First.

Clarke'll probably be able to make the step up, but don't expect great things from him.

No she was a teacher at Fife's premier High School. Darkblue 62 should know who i am on about.

I don't think Clarke is any Buchanan, he's not that quality.

In saying that though, he's a different player.

I fully expect him to be able to make the step up (easily) however, and I do expect good things from him as he's a player with much potential. I think in the right side he'll be able to replicate his goal scoring form of old certainly.

Saw him a few times and I'm convinced of his quality.

Just the job for Clyde.

Just sometimes I wish you would add 2 and 2 together and get 4. Read that long winded thread from yesterday and it might allay your fears.

Thank god you're okay. I didn't see you in any of the other Clyde bashing threads, thought you'd taken a nasty knock or something.

Welcome back, you tadger.

You mentioned it before, and it was established it was the same guy.

I agree with SP in that we need him ASAP.

Whipround for a transfer fee? £20 from 250 people would do the trick

No. No and No.

We paid £20,000 for Buchanan, not £30k.

Pat and Bucks are different type of players and as someone who has seen both players on a regular basis feel they can't be compared. Pat is a genuine goal threat at second division level and a player other teams respect. It will be interesting to see if Cowden continue to play him or will rest him due to ongoing injury as they did with Gomis before he signed for Dundee United.

Gomis position was quite different as he agreed before the window opened to join United in transfer window with agreement of Cowden. He then wasn't played much as he was departing but he couldn't sign for United until 1st January. Clarke has only signed pre-contract thus remains Cowden palyer till end of season. If Clyde want him now they will have to pay transfer fee that will have to be agreed with Cowden. If they wait till end of season then they will have to pay Cowden compensation rather than transfer fee. Bear in mind too that Pat has missed 10 of last 22 games through injury and is out injured at present. Don't doubt though that he will be a good signing for Clyde. tail end of last season and so far this seaosn he has been really sharp.

Pat Clarke only plays well for every 2nd team he signs for so I guess it's Clydes turn to see the crap Pat Clarke.

Seem to be in the minority here but I think Pat will be a better player for Clyde than Buchs would have been. He (Pat) is very fast and never stops. His fitness is the only concern I would have. He probably could save Clyde from the drop if they took him now - he may well come back to haunt us next season.

The fact is that Buchanan and Clarke are both quality strikers albeit with differing styles and both are more than capable of doing well in Division 1.

Clarke will do well in the first division. Might not score as many as Buchanan but will set up a a lot more.


Gutted he is leaving

I heard £30,000. It done matter to much either way though as he was a fantastic signing