Manager Roy Keane says academy midfielder Billy Clark made a tackle he would have been proud of himself during Wednesday’s 2-0 FA Youth Cup win at Tranmere. Many observers picked out Ipswich-born Clark as the Blues’ best performer during the third round victory in which Connor Wickham and Josh Carson netted the goals.

Keane was impressed with the 18-year-old’s combative display: “He’s a good player. He likes a tackle, which is good.

“The art of tackling seems to be going out of the game, everyone just wants to play fancy stuff. He set up the first goal with a very, very good challenge, I would have been proud of it myself!”

The Blues boss joined the academy staff for the long trek to Prenton Park and was impressed by the young Blues: “I enjoyed the game, Tranmere did very, very well, it was a tough game. We scored two good goals and it was a good boost for the club as you want your kids to have a good run in the FA Youth Cup.

“I’m delighted for Chris Kiwomya and Sammy Morgan and the staff down there. They’re good coaches, enthusiastic and they’re working very hard.

“They’re a decent bunch, the young kids aren’t bad, let me tell you. But we would like a home draw in the next round as Tranmere was a bit of a trip coming back. That’s the glamour of it, sitting in a mini-bus with the other staff watching movies and drinking cold tea!”

Town last won the FA Youth Cup in 2005, having previously been successful in 1973 and 1975.

Photo: Action Images

AJblue added 12:27 - Dec 5 One for the future? Good luck to him, and if Keane takes him under his wing and teaches him about that position, then there could be a very bright future indeed.
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Jesney_Havoc added 12:30 - Dec 5 I thought we'd sold him ?
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16_Jack_ken_16 added 12:38 - Dec 5 Didnt we sell him if we didnt all the better i love him
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Hunterssecondball added 12:50 - Dec 5 This is Billy Clark MK 2. No "e" in the surname. Ex-Northgate Schoolboy,again! Wake up. Billy Clarke MK 1 scored foe Blackpool last week!
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oldbarrackdan added 13:00 - Dec 5 I cant believe people think this is the same Billy Clarke as the one we let go to Blackpool, its hilarious!
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arc added 14:20 - Dec 5 Yes, Billy Clark continues his comeback from potentially career-ending E Surgery. "I had to get it done," said Billy, 18, "The E was ruining my career. Now that's it's successfully removed, I feel like a new man: so much so in fact that I am going to lose a few years of age, change position and look entirely different."
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jas0999 added 14:26 - Dec 5 It has to be said, but would Jim have made the trip to Tranmere during the week. I am 99% certain he would not. Many on here seem to slate RK at every opportunity, what's not in doubt is his committment to ITFC.
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Stu_Magoo added 14:40 - Dec 5 ARC - Hilarious! Jas - Very true. But wait for the usual torrent of "Boo to Keane, he has a beard" "Die Keane die, you shout at press conferences" or "We want a family friendly manager - offering a succulent and reassuring teat - at our club" from the Muppett Brigade (They know who they are) Yawn x 10.
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Blueknight85 added 14:58 - Dec 5 poor lad being cinfused as the old billy this one has as much promise as the old one but very different players lets hope this one fullfils his potential hes doing a good job s far
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Mungo added 18:00 - Dec 5 Jas0999 - Jim went 8 months ago. Move on and let the bitterness go, for your own health if nothing else. You'll feel better for it. :o) Good win the other night and sounds like we have another decent crop of youngsters coming through. Hopefully a few of them will go on to make an impact in the first team.
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bournemouthblue added 18:36 - Dec 5 Also went to the same Primary School as Trotter so I've played football with both of them :p
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buryblue77 added 14:31 - Dec 6 I'm loving the fact that Billy Clark is back at the club, minus the e, younger and playing in a different posistion.
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Fatcatevans added 19:52 - Dec 6 bournemouthblue - Not sure you should should about being in the same team as Trotter lol. Clark however, that may be worth bragging about in years to come
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Dowson added 18:56 - Dec 14 good lad keep him for times to come (:
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