Ex-Bristol Rovers, Sheff Utd, QPR, Wolves striker leaves club after three games

Former Bristol Rovers striker Leon Clarke has left Hartlepool United on loan after a short spell - and has swiftly joined a new club, dropping into the non-league for the first time in his career.

Clarke only joined the Pools in February, and took eight-months to find a new team, following his release from the Gas. A change in manager however with former Rovers defender Keith Curle leaving, saw plans change and now Clarke has joined a new club for the remainder of the campaign.

Clarke had only played three games for Hartlepool before, and was a substitute in all matches with his last involvement almost a month ago. He has been loaned to seventh-tier Rushall Olympic, who are chasing promotion from the Southern League Premier Central.

Rushall boss Liam McDonald has said: “I am delighted to be able to bring him to the football club and I look forward to working with him. His career speaks for itself; he has played for some massive clubs and scored a lot of goals along the way.

“It’s an opportunity for us to use his vast experience between now and the end of the season. He was keen to come here, which was important; the move is right for him and he is relishing the challenge. The lads can only learn from him during what is a big end to the season for us with plenty to play for.”

Clarke joined Joey Barton's side in August 2021, and started brightly but just two games into his career at the club, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for several months. He played 11 times in total and scored goals, and was present at the Memorial Stadium when they clinched promotion from League Two last season. He turned out for other clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, along with QPR.