Grantham A Loan

Last updated : 21 October 2002 By Site Staff
Clarke has scored 4 goals in his last 7 Ryman League games for his club, Grantham Town after signing from Kings ynn for a staggering £500. Jamie has been scouted by the likes of Plymouth, Bradford and Bristol City this season but after Neil Baker(Assistant Manager) offered the 20 year old a trial with the Alex. Speaking to Granthams local newspaper the Town manager said: "Several clubs have watched him in recent games. Crewe assistant manager Neil Baker contacted me on Tuesday night and said they are very keen on the player. I agreed to Jamie going there for three days next week, so they could have a close look at him, and we shall take it from there.

"I don´t know what value will be put on him. Normally you would think around £50,000 for a good young striker like him, but its a buyers´ market at the minute and it could be around £20,000.

"A lot would depend on who becomes interested, then it could spiral, but it´s up to the board to set a figure.
"Personally, I´d like to keep him because we´ve got some very big games coming up, but I wouldn´t stand in his way if he is going to make progress into the Football League.

"And Crewe would be an ideal club, given their excellent record of developing young players under manager Dario Gradi."

While Chairman Barry Palmer put a price on Clarke! "He's 100 per cent Grantham at the moment, but of course we would never stand in his way.

"I personally value him around the £50,000 mark because he´s young, has pace and scores goals."

The pacey forward, who is meant to have 'lightening pace' , is said to be very fit for a non-league player by Neil Baker but Dario wants to see what Clarke can do himself. If everything goes well Dario could offer the Grantham star a contract for him to sign which will mean he would officially become a Alex player on January 15th.