Experienced Bradford Striker set to sign
Last updated : 23 March 2006 By Andy Van Hagen
Bradford City's official web site is tonight reporting that 39 year old striker Steve Claridge is set to sign for Walsall on loan until the end of the season. Walsall are playing against Bradford on Saturday and part of the agreement states that Steve will play no part in that fixture. This means he will make his debut this coming Tuesday night, against Bournemouth.
Claridge (who becomes Kevan Broadhurst's first signing at the club) has had a long career, but he the fact that he is still playing today is a credit to the man, showing that he has looked after his body - unlike the old man who left us not so long a go. However two similarities Claridge has with Merson is that they have both become Sky Sports and Central Soccer Night pundits pundits since their stints as player manager have come to an end.
So how has he done this season? 17 starts and 14 appearances off the bench have yielded 5 goals - incedentely all coming away from Valley Parade. The record of 5 goals sees him hold second place in the Bradford 2005/6 scoring charts behind veteran hot shot Dean Windass.
His career record needs no introduction, he is most famous within the Midlands for his stint at Birmingham City but in recent years he has become a very well travelled man! Walsall will become his 16th professional club when he signs on the dotted line.
The signing of Claridge will see Walsall having an experienced forward line to lead us through our relegation battle. Of late we have had to use youngsters Alex Nicholls, James Constable and Andrew Barrowman who dont look ready for the presure games that lie ahead. Barrowmans performance on Tuesday night against Yeovil highlighted that the club had to look for an experienced head to lead our line - somebody who will not get distracted by a frustrated home crowd.
Claridge will not be the signing fans expected but at this stage in the season you have to ask is he better than what we've got? and that answer i think would be yes. The other bonus is that our young forwards will be able to learn from Claridge, while being able to see him at close quarters every day in training. If some of his game rubs off on them to take into next season then this will be gratefully recieved.
He is likely to partner fellow ex-blue nose Paul Devlin up front leaving Mads Timm, Andrew Barrowman, Scott Fitzgerald and James Constable will fight it out for a place on the bench. With him being a loan signing this means we will have 7 on our books, only 5 can make a matchday squad so 2 players will have to sit each game out.
This signing would seem to bring a conclusion to manager Kevan Bradhurst's attempts to sign a striker. He has been on the phone ever since his arrival in the Bescot hot seat, but earlier this week he indicated in an interview with the Express and Star that he might be after a couple of targets so this might not be our only signing on deadline day!
