Former Bristol Rovers midfielder Seanan Clucas is on the move again in his native Northern Ireland, completing a move to Premiership side Carrick Rangers.
Clucas has spent the last four-and-a-half years with fellow-Premiership side Glentoran and was a mainstay in the first-team before a series of injuries which have hampered him over the last two seasons.
He’s turned out just five times for the Glens this season and has somewhat fallen out of favour. With his contract up in the summer, it makes perfect sense for the midfielder to move on in the summer and Carrick Rangers have revealed on their website that they have signed the former Northern Irish-youth international to a three-year deal.
Despite being from Northern Ireland, it would be over the water in England where the midfielder would first gain his first real experience of senior football with Preston North End. His time at Deepdale never really worked out and a loan to Burton Albion to supposedly gain further minutes would also not really see Clucas get a chance.
After being released by Preston, he’d join Bristol Rovers for two seasons between 2012 and 2014. He’s perhaps a forgotten name given that he’s been playing in his homeland for the past few years, as well as having had a break from football whilst living in Australia.
Perhaps he’s not best remembered by Gas fans as he was part of the squad which were relegated to the National League in 2014. A final day defeat to Mansfield, and wins for both Northampton Town and Wycombe Wanderers would see the Gas relegated in cruel fashion. That also coincided with Clucas leaving the club, having made 38 EFL appearances over two seasons.
Speaking to club media, Clucas seemed excited by his new opportunity at Carrick.
“I am really happy to get the deal done. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Glentoran but with work commitments, I couldn’t fit into their schedule moving forward.
“I had different options and the most appealing of those was Carrick. Everything lined up really well in terms of the thoughts and ambitions of the Club.
“I met Stuart (King) and Peter (Clarke) and what they’re trying to do with the Club moving forward, along with Owner Michael Smith, is something I want to be a part of.”
Writer’s View
Plenty has changed at Bristol Rovers since Clucas departed and they’re in a far better place and arguably back where they belong. Fans probably don’t have incredibly fond memories of the midfielder’s spell with the club, but that’ll be the case for the majority of the squad at the time.
The Gas will be looking to build on their 15th place finish in League One this season in what has truly been an up-and-down year for the club which has also seen a managerial change.
Summer recruitment needs to be spot on if they want to challenge any higher next season and if not, then they may well be destined for mid-table obscurity once again.
