Leon Clarke surprises by leaving League Two club Hartlepool United to sign for ambitious 7th tier side Rushall Olympic this week.
He has linked up with Walsall based outfit following a career spent majority in the Football League, but is now looking to life in non league.
Clarke started his career with Wolves, but he then moved on to eleven clubs in permanent and loan deals over the years.
In January 2014, he returned to Wolves after leading the League One goalscoring charts at Coventry City. However, he only scored three goals in 29 games in his eighteen-month stay.
Between 2003 and 2023, he’s played for the likes of Wolves, Kidderminster, QPR, Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham, Southend, Preston, Swindon, Chesterfield, Charlton, Crawley, Scunthorpe, Coventry, Wigan, Bury, Sheffield United, Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool United.
BREAKING: Pics sign experienced Football League striker: https://t.co/KwAn9ky1xr
SOMETHING SPECIAL IS HAPPENING AT DALES LANE – get your 2023/24 Early Bird Season Tickets here: https://t.co/35L44YiUaA#ShareThePicsPassion pic.twitter.com/yhGqVq7PPj
— Rushall Olympic FC (@ROFCOfficial) March 17, 2023
RUSHALL OLYMPIC STATEMENT:
“The Pics have added plenty of experience to our front line with the loan signing of Leon Clarke from League Two outfit, Hartlepool United, until the end of the season.
“The 38 year-old has enjoyed a 20-year career in the professional game since emerging through the ranks at Wolves.
“Since then he has served the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Queens Park Rangers, Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Sheffield United amongst others.
“He joined Hartlepool earlier this year and has made a handful of appearances for the north east club.
“I am delighted to be able to bring him to the football club and I look forward to working with him,” said manager, Liam McDonald. “His career speaks for itself; he has played for some massive clubs and scored a lot of goals along the way.
“It’s an opportunity for us to use his vast experience between now and the end of the season.
“He was keen to come here, which was important; the move is right for him and he is relishing the challenge.
“The lads can only learn from him during what is a big end to the season for us with plenty to play for.”
We welcome Leon to Dales Lane and hope that he has a successful time as part of The Pics Family.
His new club, Rushall Olympic, currently sit 5th in the Southern League – Premier Central, playing 33 games, won 19, drew 6, lost 8, scored 62, conceded 39, got a +23 GD and 63 points, leaving them in the playoff places.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Sat 18 Mar – A – Bedford Town – Southern Prem Central – 3pm
Sat 25 Mar – H – St Ives Town – Southern Prem Central – 3pm
Sat 1 Apr – A – Leiston – Southern Prem Central – 3pm
Tue 4 Apr – A – Coalville Town – Southern Prem Central – 7.45pm
Sat 8 Apr – H – Basford United – Southern Prem Central – 3pm
Mon 10 Apr – A – Hednesford Town – Southern Prem Central – 3pm
Sat 15 Apr – A – Stourbridge – Southern Prem Central – 3pm
Sat 22 Apr – H – Alvechurch – Southern Prem Central – 3pm
Twitter users reacted as Leon Clarke surprises by leaving League Two club Hartlepool United to sign for ambitious 7th tier side Rushall Olympic…
@MGW1991: This is a joke! Up the pics.
@Jake__Kimberley: Some signing for the pics that.
@MnRainer: Cracking signing
@LiamStewartWFC: Wtf
@callumwilson15: good signing 🤝 pics mean business this year
@jorjwwfc: massive signing
@taylahbrown123: Big signing that 👀
@wwfcscott: 😳👀
@Davidjrj123 (Replying to @Official_HUFC): Head of Recruitment masterclass yet again
@aynzw: That is some drop in divisions, unbelievable they are on Pro contracts
@Benrobbo012: What was the point In signing Clarke
@adampinder0711: What a waste of money Clarke was 😂
@Pools1908: Thats the standard we signed 😅 well don’t PH and KC 👏🤦♂️
@OTDHUFC: John Askey’s not daft, is he?
@ThorntonCraig: Get the head of recruitment out the door while your at it
@JM1908__: Easiest wage in all his career for Clarke that 🤮
@allmoshnopit: Signed a 38 year old journeyman just to loan him out to the Isthmian league after A MONTH. Sorry but if we don’t batter these tomorrow I give up #bcafc
@WolfieOnTees: Think Leon managed 2 subs appearances. No goals of course.
@edward_w97: Hartlepool signed Leon Clarke as a free agent just 31 days ago, he’s played 82 minutes, got 0 goals, and he’s now going on loan to a 7th tier club. What a cataclysmic recruitment error that was…
@LowerLeagueLook:
Theo Robinson – Signed and released in 44 days.
Leon Clarke – Signed and released in 31 days.
They have a head of recruitment.
Another twist in an absolute train wreck of a season at #HUFC
@MarcRiggan: Unbelievable for Rushall Olympic though 🤣
@exiledhatter: That’s some drop. Got to be semi pro and not very much in terms of onward contract.
@HarryJohnsonCl2: Leon Clarke, what a shift, what a player, what a deal Keith Curle got. Thanks for everything Leon🙏.
@Harriers_Online: Played for the Harriers when he was 19 yrs old. You’re his 24th club now
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