LEE CLARK today completed the signing of Bristol City centre-back Jamie McCombe and predicted: “He’ll be a massive asset for us.”
The Pontefract-born 27-year-old, who has agreed a three-year contract after moving for an undisclosed fee, stands 6ft 5in and brings the experience of 314 senior appearances.
The elder brother of ex-Town defender John McCombe, he played for Scunthorpe and Lincoln before joining Bristol City in 2006.
No-nonsense McCombe, who has chalked up 25 career goals, established himself as an Ashton Gate favourite by helping the Robins win promotion from League I in his first season at the club.
“He is here is to keep the ball out of our net and he has certainly caught my attention from the times I’ve seen him play,” said Clark, who has made five other close-season signings in keeper Ian Bennett, left-back Gary Naysmith, midfielders Joey Gudjonsson and Scott Arfield and on-loan Derby winger Lee Croft.
“He is a very impressive performer and was a big part of the Bristol side that made it into the Championship. In addition, he has just missed out on other promotions.
“He is one that has been on my radar for a long time. We tried to do something in January, but he picked up a knee problem that has since been operated on. Jamie fits the bill because he has a lot of drive, desire and experience.
“His signing is a coup and goes in line with the others we have made.
“The players we have brought from the higher leagues have not been on the periphery of their teams – they have been regulars when fit.
“These lads could have gone to other clubs for bigger financial gains, but instead they have come here for the opportunity to play for an ambitious club and be successful.”
Lincoln’s League II semi-final clashes with Town in 2003-04 were among six play-off campaigns in which he has featured (one for Scunthorpe, three for Lincoln and two for Bristol City).
TODAY’S signing of 6ft 5in centre-back Jamie McCombe will have fans wondering whether he’s Town’s tallest-ever first-team player.
Imposing though the former Bristol City man is, a trawl through the archives reveals a man who stretched the tape even further.
Step forward Fola Onibuje, the 6ft 6in Nigerian-born striker who made two substitute appearances on loan from Preston in 2003-04.
Town, of course, have just parted company with an even taller player, 6ft 7in frontman Tom Denton, but he was unable to make the first team.
