Midfielder Billy Clark has been told he will not be offered a new contract by Town at the end of the season. The 19-year-old came through the Blues academy before signing a one-year professional deal last summer.

Clark made three sub appearances for the first team late last season, but failed to break into the senior side during 2010/11.

The former Northgate High School pupil is the second of the 11 out-of-contract first and second-year pros to be released, Irish keeper Ian McLoughlin having been told that he will not be offered new terms earlier in the week.

Photo: Action Images

WadzillaBhoy added 22:18 - Apr 6 Woah wasn't he meant to be a promising midfielder last season?
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salforduniblue added 22:19 - Apr 6 Good luck for the future Billy Clark II
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TractorMan added 22:23 - Apr 6 If he couldn't break through with all the injuries and problems with form we've had at different points this season, then he clearly isn't good enough. I'd rather we had a quality squad of 20 than a so-so 30. If we can save wages, no matter how small then it makes sense. It's also fair on the player if he isn't going to figure in the managers plans to find another club for free.

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SideShow added 22:24 - Apr 6 In the little i've seen, thought he was good. Wish him all the best in the future.
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xrayspecs added 22:24 - Apr 6 At 19, if you are not a regular in the first team squad, then sadly you are highly unlikely to make it at this level. Good luck Billy.
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hollywoodginge added 22:25 - Apr 6 Never seen him play but got the impression he was a promising player from what I heard, still best of luck in your future young'un
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Josh_Ippy added 22:26 - Apr 6 Good luck for the future. Had high hopes but never failed to deliver, not through any fault of his own. Smashing little footballer, maybe a good signing for a lower league club.
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xrayspecs added 22:26 - Apr 6 TM - Really not about wages, which would be minimal for an unproven youth, more about creating space for better prospects from the academy to develop.
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Bluetone added 22:28 - Apr 6 Agreed Josh maybe one to come back and haunt us.
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xrayspecs added 22:38 - Apr 6 Bluetone - we all hate seeing our future stars released, but how many youths that we have released have actually come back to haunt us? I remember various great town prospects who we vexed about on their departure....Bloomfield (now Wycombe), Bowditch (Yeovil) , Ed Upson (non-league ?), Adiballah, the new Dyer (?), Nash and Collins and the other three great hopes.... Tommy Miller is a possible case, although many would contend he haunted us by his returning presence....

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yorkshire added 22:55 - Apr 6 In fairness Upson is at Yeovil but you are right, none of the yoofs released has really done that well. Billy Clarke - now at Blackpool, Wayne Brown played Prem (alhough not sure he counts as this was after he was sold the 2nd time) and obviously Tommy Miller are the ones that spring to mind It is always nice to see the yoof do well but for every Bramble, Wright, Dyer, Bent, Ambrose and Wickham we have produced there are a lot that didnt make it and this will always be the way I am afraid

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Garv added 22:57 - Apr 6 MILLER was a top player for us, another keane binned without thinking.
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CanadianBlue added 00:29 - Apr 7 Good luck to him.
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bournemouthblue added 00:41 - Apr 7 Shame thought he might make it, perhaps he still will but he'll have to drop down and come back up Scott loach is another player who we released who now looks like he might make it
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Tractorog added 02:35 - Apr 7 Some of the players who were dropped and made it elsewhere might not have made it if they had stayed at town. Sometimes people need to be put in pressure situations before they show what they are made of. Also for squad reasons sometimes it is better to let go if you have enough cover in that area and the lad would get more games elsewhere. Not sure that at 19 he should be a 1st team "regular" but if he was not pushing for a place then it is time to let go.

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nysully added 04:22 - Apr 7 Clearly the club has a problem holding onto Billy Clarks
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bobble added 06:59 - Apr 7 at least we finally had the good sense to get rid of keane even though it took a long time to sink in how bad he was
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DiamondGezzer added 07:05 - Apr 7 Tractorog :- Possibly you're right, maybe sometimes because they have a year contract, all of a sudden they're in what they feel is the comfort zone, forgetting of course the work that has to go into winning the next contract the following year. Evan so, you still feel for them. Let's hope yor talents blosom elsewhere, good luck.
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Back_The_Boss added 08:49 - Apr 7 Not seen him play much, good luck in the future Billy.
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Bergholtblue added 09:04 - Apr 7 What Billy needed, as did/do the other youths, is games under their belt. With the reserve league being as poor as it is, they just don't get the competition to develop in a match situation. Allowing him to move on may be just what the lad needs and if he does blossom and become a big star, then good luck to him. One thing for certain is, if he stops at Town without getting first team football, he will stagnate and disappear without trace.

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clive_baker added 09:12 - Apr 7 I know what it's like to be released at a young age and it's tough. Keep working hard and listen to the people around you and you can go on and have a good career. Dont take the first offer that comes your way and make sure that your next club is someone you are likely to get minutes in the first team, even at a lower level than other offers if needs be. Take inspiration from the likes of Scott Barron and Loach among others who have gone on to have very good careers. When one door closes another opens and all that. Good luck

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blue_em_away added 09:27 - Apr 7 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Exactlly right. No you are prob not good enough for Ipswich, but I've seen you play a few times and you will do well and progress in a lower league team. Good luck dude!
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osborne1nil added 10:03 - Apr 7 I wonder if the drop if form for some of Towns youth players coinsides with the loss of excellent youth coach to Tottenham thanks to Keanes short sightedness? Seen Billy play on a few occassions and thought that he looked very useful and scored several nice goals although it was against relatively poor opposition. Shame.
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blue1 added 10:10 - Apr 7 I hope you go on and achieve success at another club - it is ok for us all to sit and make comments about you when we don't know you but it does not take a brain surgeon to see the youths are not given games to improve in or test themselves in. Good luck and I agree with the previous comment don't jump in to your first offer do what is right for you.
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fourth added 10:12 - Apr 7 Another opportunity
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