This was a news story on the West Ham website last Friday. Later in the day, another news story was put up with the 10 people who were being released, including Clive.
CLIVE ON PROGRESS
Clive Delaney hopes to be back at Upton Park when the new season starts - aiming to prove that he can break into professional football in his early 20s.
Clive, who joined West Ham on a free transfer in January after his contract with University College Dublin expired, reveals:
"I hope to stick around; at the moment we are discussing the possibility of me going back next year, so hopefully it will turn into something - and I look forward to going back at the start of July for preseason.
"There is an offer there and at the moment we are discussing the details of it; there is no real sticking point, it is just the usual details, but I am not too experienced with it.
"I just want to let it happen as soon as possible because it is my first choice; I really enjoyed my time and I want to be involved in getting the team back in the Premiership next season."
Clive, who has two degrees, did not expect to make a career of football, and adds:
"It was quite amazing at that is why it took me by surprise, really, having just started a full time job in Ireland and playing part time in the Eircom League.
"I honestly believed I was a bit too old to get the chance to do something like this but when the chance came along I was obviously delighted to take it and thankfully it hasn't gone too badly."
He has yet to be involved in the first team squad, of course, but has trained with them regularly and adds:
"It is not the situation we had all hoped for, so I guess everyone is going to be down for a few days or maybe a couple of weeks, but the most important thing is now that we concentrate on getting the team back into the Premiership for next year - and we all have to be in the right frame of mind for preseason."
Ironically, Bolton were another club that wanted Clive in January, and no one needs reminding that, in effect, their survival cost West Ham a Premiership place.
"That was one of the other clubs that I had the opportunity of going on trial to but having come to West Ham I don't think there was really any choice to make for me anyway - I have no regrets at all," he insists.
Clive couldn't have lived closer to work than any footballer in the country since he came over from Ireland, having stayed in the West Ham United Quality hotel at the ground.
He insists he hasn't pinched a towel as he heads back to Eire, and adds:
"They are sick of the sight of me down there, to be honest, so I imagine they are glad I have gone - but seriously they have been very good to me and I can't complain.
"It is different living at the ground but after a few months it gets a bit tedious, really."
When he does return, he will be seeking a more permanent residence - and hoping West Ham's stay in the first division is short-lived.
If he doesn't sign with the Hammers, he still intends to stay in the professional game now he has made the breakthrough, and he adds:
"It is great, let's be honest, but it is a high pressure lifestyle apart from the whole training aspect.
"It is a job to be enjoyed also and I look forward to going to work and I would certainly put it ahead of what I was doing previously.
"I found it very difficult when I first came over to do anything else after training; I was literally going to bed after training and I would sleep for two hours during the day and I would certainly sleep at night as well.
"That was the main thing that I found, adjusting to it, that you need your rest - that is as important as the training.
"And I am told that preseason training is to sessions a day so I can only imagine the amount of sleep I will need then.
"To be honest I was never much of a drinker anyway but my diet has been changed and I am looking at my lifestyle in a different way, let's put it like that!
"We have been given a programme for the summer for weights and running during the break prior to the preseason so I don't think we will stop to be honest, you just keep ticking over.
"I do believe that West Ham will keep the nucleus of the squad and I certainly believe that, having kept them, there will be no problems bouncing back next year."
According to the Irish Times to-day, he was talking to Hibs yesterday. I'd say he'd easily make it into a Scottish Premier Division team - Hunt did for a start - just a bit strange that he's talking to the one who are letting go all their players because they've no money!
That said, there'd be worse bargain buys than Clive...
Remember pineapple they're releasing all the better paid ones and they need decent cheap replacements.
The Jambos will pi$$ on them next year which means Harry's girlfriend will be delighted(grr!) as her dad owns Hearts.
Edited to fix swearing
-Schumi
Last edited by Schumi; 20/05/2003 at 4:54 PM.
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I think he has bazzaryanitis.Originally posted by pineapple stu
just a bit strange that he's talking to the one who are letting go all their players because they've no money!
Maybe if he goes there the Bill Tesco will donate 100 Million to HIbs to build a new stadium and casino facility?
Lads
According to yesterdays papers. Clive is on his way to either Shelbourne or Bohemians. If it is Shelbourne he will probably dislodge Tony McCarthy from the starting line-up.
If that happens then Doolo should sign McCarthy on loan till the end of the season
Then we could have 2 Tony Macs in the backs and stick Robbie Mac upfront as a makeshift striker
After all he is our top scorer of all time in Europe
College Till I Die
P.S. Thanks for the advice re the avatars Schumi
Fair enough. That's a pity for Clive. If he comes back it tells me that even tho he decided full time soccer in ireland wasn't good enough, because he has been blooded at west ham he will slog here til he gets a chance again.
He could end up here for life, with the odd token international game.
Bring clive back to Belfield....
Didn't see that, but I can't see how he could be coming back to Ireland so soon. He's said he wants to make a go of it, he's got other British clubs interested - don't think he'd go to Shels/Bohs so soon. The West Ham website gave him a very good reference after releasing him as well - said he'd have no problem "fulfilling his dream" as a professional footballer.
I doubt Tony McCarthy will be interested in coming over to us, he's not far off retirement and will fancy his chances of bowing out with another league winners medal, even with Clive there he'll probably get the required number of appearances. Lets not forget that even allowing for our poor strike force he still stood out as the best of the Reds back four when we played them.
But seeing as we live in utopia lets assume we do get him on loan, if we did I would play Robbie Mac alongside him as I reckon Tony Mac is of more use in midfield.
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True...couldn't see it either. We're for the chop this year lads. We're not going to turn this form around. We don't have a hope. We have a lingering sense of...but we always come back, but this year we are just very weak.
According to ITV teletext, Clive is currently having a trial with Hibernian in Scotland.
Lads
Clive was at the match last night. Most of what you have read about his prospective moves is according to himself complete bs.
He is going on holidays for a week to think about what he is going to do. Do not rule out a temporary return to the ranks .
We only have 16 fit players in our first team squad including Paul Doolin. Pat Burke is going to be sidelined for at least another month, Alan Mahon is sidelined for the season and as we only had around 18-19 players to start the season with in the first place the cupboard is looking pretty bare. The Under 21 squad has already been raided and the other players are a bit raw to be played in the Premier Division.
We can only hope that we can get another 1-2 lads back from England such as Hugh Davey and Alan Cawley but hopefully a goalscorer in the next few weeks. If for not other reason so we are able to field teams during the remainder of the season.
Another loan siging, this time one who will see out the period of the loan may also be an option . Last night's performance was much improved and looks like we may have found our first choice back four. The Robbies up front worked hard and may be the best pairing currently on the books.
College Till I Die
according to yesterdays evening echo delaney is looking to go to hibs- apparently dolan was onto him but he's hopefl of getting deal at hibs instead
What College Till I Die was saying is apparently true - he's probably coming back to Ireland. Depending on whether he wants to stay fully pro or not, he'll likely join either Shels, Bohs or UCD.
But he's going on holidays for two weeks before deciding, so there's time for things to change (again!). He's been offered a trial at Hibs, where he'd easily make the first team (Noel Hunt makes the Dunfermline first team, and Hibs are letting a lot of their best players go).
Think I'm going to give up wondering what he's going to do though!
The Dublin Daily today said that he would be likely to start back at PWC rather than remain playing professionally. Would that mean that he could come back to us? I can't remember what it said exactly as I didn't actually buy the paper but it was in the preview for tonight if anyone bought it.
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
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