Ballinamallard manager Gavin Dykes has made his first move to strengthen his squad for next season with the signing of Richard Clarke from Crusaders.

The Mallards have been long time admirers of the talented midfielder and Dykes is delighted to have finally got him across the line, Clarke signing on a two year deal to play for the Ferney Park outfit.

“I’m absolutely delighted to get him on board,” said Dykes. “He is a smashing footballer, he’s a winner who has won league titles and cups and in my opinion he is one of the best midfielders in the league so to get him to come to our place is great.”

With Shane McCabe deciding to retire, midfield was an area that Dykes needed to address and he feels that Clarke will bring a lot of quality in that department.

“I think he will fit into what we want to do and what we want to build on. He is ambitious and he will definitely add a lot of quality to us. Richard is a very, very good passer of the ball, he will dictate play for us, he’s competitive and he will also bring a good mentality into the dressing room. With losing Shane McCabe we had to act quickly and we have done that. We’ve had an interest in him a long time, I think Whitey tried to sign him a couple of years ago and we are glad to get him here. Richard has been very impressed with the plans we have for the club and for the next couple of seasons. He has bought into it and hopefully he can go and deliver on it,” stated Dykes.

Dykes acknowledged the work done by his assistant manager Andy Crawford in closing the deal for Clarke.

“I must give Andy Crawford great credit for this one, he’s friends with Richard and I think he has had great influence on him coming here. I would also like to give Crusaders credit and, as I say, we are delighted to get him.”

It is also believed that the Mallards are interested in bringing former player Davy Kee back to the club. Combative midfielder Kee left the Ferney Park outfit for Linfield two seasons ago and spent last season on loan at Coleraine and would be viewed as a replacement for McCabe.