By Albatross
April 23 2004

Neale Cooper has finally got his man: Clyde captain Jack Ross will be joining Hartlepool United in the close season. He's a player Cooper has been tracking for some time, and the club have announced that the 27 year old midfielder has agreed a deal at the Vic. Rumours have abounded for months that Ross was on his way to Pools, and the announcement from the club at 9:25 this morning is surprising more for the timing than anything else: Clyde are still battling for the Scottish Division 1 title, and it had been expected that any news relating to Ross would only be released once all issues were settled up there.

Clyde though are facing the prospect of not being promoted to the SPL even if they win the title - the SPL ground restrictions that have seen the top league become almost a closed shop over the last few seasons striking again - and with the uncertainty over what division they will be playing in Ross was not offered a deal - despite being Club Captain and one of their brightest stars. Cooper has been keeping tabs on the situation for some time, and has persuaded Ross to come south.

So who exactly is Jack Ross? He's most often employed as a midfielder, either centrally or on the right. A trainee at Dundee, when he was released from Dens Park he left the world of full-time football and instead went into education - gaining an Economics degree - before joining Clyde five years ago. He soon established himself in the side, and has been captain there for three seasons. Now 27, he has decided to try his luck elsewhere - and Pools have beaten a number of clubs who were apparently interested, including SPL sides Dunfermline and Dundee United. He looks to be the ideal person to fill one of our problem positions, the right side of midfield - and Pools should be much the stronger because of it.

This season he's played 38 times, scoring three goals, and the Clyde fans are very sorry to see him go. He's played a big part in their upward moves in the last few seasons, and hopefully he'll be able to help Pools do the same.