Republic of Ireland U15 and U16 international striker Carel Tiofack has joined this season’s new intake of first-year academy scholars. The frontman, who played for Town’s U18s in last Thursday’s 8-0 victory at Southwold, is said to be similar in style to former Blue Billy Clarke.

Tiofack, who is of Cameroonian descent, was previously with Cork-based club Ballincollig FC and Town's academy recruitment officer Malcolm Moore says he’s a player the Blues youth set-up have been eyeing for a while: "He's been in the international squad for some time and we've been following him.

"One or two Premier League clubs have had a look at him, like Aston Villa, but they were a little bit hesitant, so we decided we wouldn't hesitate we'd make a move on him."

Moore compares Tiofack to another recruit from Cork, who has since moved on to Premier League new boys Blackpool: "He's very similar in some ways to Billy Clarke. He's pacy, likes to score goals, he's mainly left-footed and he has a good attitude. We'll see how he goes now he's been given the chance."

In April, Moore gave TWTD an insight into what we should expect from academy’s other new recruits.

Photo: Action Images

tom_the_blue added 12:51 - Jul 26 Lets hope he turns out better than Billy Clarke did.
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FriskinPriskin1 added 12:57 - Jul 26 Don't recall Billy Clarke being called 'pacy'?
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GlenPennyfather added 13:03 - Jul 26 Billy Clarke was very pacy! (Not much else though!)
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Tractorog added 13:04 - Jul 26 That would be the Billy Clarke we let go then?
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Smithy added 13:35 - Jul 26 good luck Carel
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acjwalker added 13:36 - Jul 26 Is that really a compliment?
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SeriouslyDelusional added 13:42 - Jul 26 Seems like the youth set up at the club is really moving forward after a few off years. Good coaching set up and plenty of youngsters being given the opportunity to progress through the ranks. This can only be a good thing and hopefully we will see more and more academy players breaking through, instead of having to buy in players.
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alex12345 added 13:45 - Jul 26 im surprised there have been no "Cork city" comments yet as thats where he came to us from. The moaners have taken a step back for this news item. Can only be good news though, Any news on the Kennedy or other transfers as yet?
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devontractorboy added 13:46 - Jul 26 So he's from Ireland then.........Mmmm surprising!!
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:50 - Jul 26 Could be worse I suppose - he could be the "New Lee Martin"
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DoobDude added 13:50 - Jul 26 Tomorrow we sign the new Richard Logan!
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tom_the_blue added 13:57 - Jul 26 does that make Wickham the new Sam Parkin?
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nthstd added 13:58 - Jul 26 Billy Clarke was a good we player given the service. He turned a good performance almost everytime he played. Problem was he never really got a look in properly. I remeber his winner aginst Coventry in particular.
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alex12345 added 14:02 - Jul 26 Devontractorboy: Shut up
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mickeyjb added 14:04 - Jul 26 I remember watching Billy Clarke play for us against Norwich a few years back, it was live on Sky. The PV pundits were raving about him, and to be quite honest he did play very well. I was gutted when he left, however he was failing to get in the starting 11 of his new team and didnt really progress as thought so I guess we did the right thing. This new guy dosnt look much like Billy Clark either!!

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robdaful added 14:12 - Jul 26 He doen't look Irish. I think he sounds good. Hopefully he will do well in the academy and we will be seeing him in a couple of years or in a cup game. But lets hope he doesn't turn out to be another Yao.
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Fatboy added 14:31 - Jul 26 We've already got a new Billy Clark(e).
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GeorgiDoundarov added 15:16 - Jul 26 I don't see that comparison very reasuring... He better be the new "Darren Bent"!
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Raedwald_625 added 15:23 - Jul 26 Our scouting network appears just so limited. Can't we take a chance on some local lads or, and I know this is controversial, English lads, instead of converting ourselves into a second-rate Ireland - which is pretty third-rate. Thank god for Wickham
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robdaful added 15:53 - Jul 26 Did anyone go to the Southwold match? Did you think he look/was he good?
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Eireannach_gorm added 17:13 - Jul 26 Thanks for giving us the benefit of your extensive knowledge of underage soccer in Ireland, Raedwald_625 . Most enlightening. Good to see his international representation does not interfere with your opinion. He doesn't look Irish as someone pointed out so it might turn out OK.
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slowerball added 23:38 - Jul 26 Oh no - that means he's out for the season!
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Jesney_Havoc added 05:49 - Jul 27 Is this the Billy Clarke we let go ?
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