Former Town forward Frank Clarke died on Thursday, aged 79.

Clarke was an early Bobby Robson signing when he joined the Blues from QPR close to the transfer deadline in March 1970 at the same time as outside right Jimmy Robertson, who was brought in from Arsenal.

Town had been in the bottom four of the First Division but the duo hit the ground running and helped see the Blues away from relegation trouble and up to 18th.

Clarke went on to make 71 starts and five sub appearances for Town, scoring 17 times, before moving on to Carlisle in August 1973. He remained at Brunton Park for the remainder of his professional career.

The eldest of the five Clarke brothers who played in the Football League - the other Leeds and England hotshot Allan, one-time Wolves man Wayne, Derek, who spent a lengthy spell at Oxford and Kelvin, who had a short spell at Walsall - he started his career with hometown club St Giles Willenhall.

Clarke became a legend at Shrewsbury between 1961 and 1968, becoming the club’s joint-top all-time goalscorer having netted 77 times in 188 games and is a member of the Shrews’ Hall of Fame. He spent two years with QPR before his move to the Blues.

After hanging up his boots he worked as a newsagent in Carlisle before returning to the Shrewsbury area where he worked as the supervisor of Adams Sports Centre in Wem until December 2010.

Photo: Matchday Images

gazzer1999 added 13:44 - Jun 3 First centre forward I saw play when I started watching ITFC, remember him and Jimmy Robertson being instrumental in helping us stay up that year.
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Suffolkboy added 14:07 - Jun 3 Gazzer ; there challenges then as you'll recall ,but FC and JR could be relied upon to liven the scene - and draw loud appreciation from ITFC supporters ! RIP FC ! COYB
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ImAbeliever added 14:09 - Jun 3 These two made an immediate impact at a milestone moment. Oh what a winger JR was, and the power of big Frank. Pivotal signings. RIP Frank.
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terryf added 14:18 - Jun 3 Frank Clarke and Jimmy Robertson helped to kick start Bobby Robson's managerial career at Ipswich Town.
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cressi added 14:21 - Jun 3 RIP Frank helped us stay up decent player But Jimmy Robertson different gravy
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PJH added 14:39 - Jun 3 RIP As has been said, the signings of him and Jimmy Robertson kept us up in 1969/70.
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itsonlyme added 15:51 - Jun 3 RIP frank. A stalwart of the team who proved to be an excellent signing!
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BlueArrow added 16:10 - Jun 3 Always sad to lose a Blue. RIP Frank. Condolences to the family.
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minesapint added 16:33 - Jun 3 Didn't have the class of his brother Allan but he was very brave at a time when forwards got roughed up more than they do today. Frank never hesitated to dive in where there was the distinct possibility of getting hurt.
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essexccc added 16:47 - Jun 3 The signings of Frank Clarke and Jimmy Robertson, as has rightly been said above several times, were pivotal in the progress of the team and Robson's career. They also gave fans some hope that we would be able to stay in the top flight for seasons to come, if we kept improving, which of course we did. Thanks and RIP Frank. However, Frank Clarke did ruin my mate's 18th when he scored for Carlisle when, bottom of Div 1, they beat highflying Ipswich on a bitter January Saturday in 1975. We had cold winters back then!

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yorkieblue62 added 16:47 - Jun 3 RIP Frank. Not the most skilful player but gave 100%. Always remember the goal he scored against Arsenal April70 to help us win the game & stay up. A friend who was an Arsenal fan just couldn't believe it!!
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OldClactonBlue added 17:09 - Jun 3 Played a big part in our Division One survival under Sir, and beyond. RIP Frank.
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therein61 added 17:28 - Jun 3 R.I.P. Frank for me he was very astute and saw things about to happen making up for is lack of pace(which was made up for big time by Jimmy!!) always to be remembered as the 2 signings that started our upward spiral after some sections of the crowd were calling for Bobby's head John Cobbold's reaction to the baying hounds was have a new contract dear boy what a class act the man was!!

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Linkboy13 added 19:19 - Jun 3 Two very shrewd signings . How on earth we managed to get Jimmy Robertson I'll never know and it was no surprise that he went on to sign for Arsenal. I can remember a lot of long balls played up to Mick Hill who's flick ons set up Frank Clarke who although not that big was very tough and centre halfs knew they had been in a game. RIP Frank you had a big heart.
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ElephantintheRoom added 21:17 - Jun 3 Ahem - Jimmy Robertson signed from Arsenal. I think he moved on to Stoke. The transformation Frank Clarke made to the team showed that ‘20 goal a season strikers' aren't necessarily the answer. At least he had a good innings - Town strikers from that era such as John O'Rourke, Mick Hill and Ron Wigg are long gone. RIP - many great memories including goals in fine wins and Man U

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shaunmahony added 22:32 - Jun 3 I think they were 50k each - 100k was a big investment for the Cobbolds back in March 1970 - brave and bold - without it where would we have been?
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blueshamrock added 08:24 - Jun 4 RIP ,Sympathy to all his family.A Town great in his time here and his goals were very important to the team.
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itfchorry added 09:36 - Jun 4 This is terrible news - I was very fortunate to see him play - Was very good in the air and held the ball up so well. Thoughts with his family and friends.
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Carberry added 09:40 - Jun 4 Frank was one of those two very astute signings Bobby Robson made. With their major contributions to our survival in the top flight we really knew we had a manager who knew what he was doing. Astonishing family of footballers too, dont believe that has been repeated has it? Top player, RIP.
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alanmason added 12:39 - Jun 4 Over 50 years have passed since we signed him, but I remember with a smile his competitive attitude to each and every game. RIP Frank, and thanks for the memories.
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nolanfanips added 22:47 - Jun 4 A favourite of mine and woe betide a goalkeeper or a centre half on a 50:50 chance! A committed forward and great in the air. Jimmy Robertson put the ball on his head and we staved of relegation. My thoughts are with his family at this time.
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kiwiblue added 03:00 - Jun 5 RIP Frank you were a player I grew up with and along with Jefferson Robertson and Colin Viljoen players I loved watching in my teens. Sad days as those legends pass away without enjoying the benefits of eternal wealth.
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dunkleberrydog added 22:57 - Jun 5 Frank was a great guy, he actually refereed one of our youth matches and showed support for our boys club. Jimmy Robertson was tremendous on the right wing for Ipswich, and Clarkey benefitted from his superb runs and crosses.
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