Clyde boss shapes whole new squad

Clyde boss Brown chose his trialists from 700 email applications

Clyde manager John Brown says he is on his way to completing the signing of a totally new squad after holding open trials for the relegated club.

Twelve players agreed to terminate their contracts to prevent the club going into administration at the end of the season while 13 were released.

"I let about 15 players go last night," Brown said of the subsequent trialists.

"Now we are down to just under 30 players, which we will trim again to about 20 by the end of the week."

The exercise is similar to one pioneered by Graham Roberts when he became manager of the Cumbernauld club in 2005.

His new side went on to record a famous Scottish Cup victory over Celtic a few months later and the present manager hopes he can unearth talent capable of returning Clyde to Division One.

"We have sifted through 700 emails and are gradually getting there," said Brown.

We have managed to uncover a few gems that have impressed me Clyde manager John Brown

"Holidays have interrupted things, as some players have managed only a couple of sessions and then had to miss out for a week.

"We are dealing with the reality of guys having to put their work commitments first as well.

"The time so far has been encouraging - we have managed to uncover a few gems that have impressed me."

Scottish football has faced financial difficulties this summer, with the Scottish Premier League losing its television contract following the demise of broadcaster Setanta.

The ranks of players due to be released because they were not viewed as good enough for their present clubs were swelled by those clubs could no longer afford following the economic downturn.

"Some of them have had offers from junior clubs who have more money to offer than us, but they want to try out for a senior side," said Brown of the players who had been on trial.

"Others have played senior before but, for whatever reason, have dropped out of the game and playing for Clyde is another chance for them.

"What we do have is a group of decent lads. There is a freshness and a good spirit.

"We will have a squad together, including several of our Under-19 squad, by the first match and we may also see some other players who were released by clubs at the end of the season come into the reckoning too.

"Deals anywhere are hard to come by and, again, some players may choose that it is better to play than fade away from the game altogether."