Rushden sign Burton striker Clare

Rushden & Diamonds have announced the signing of experienced striker Daryl Clare from Blue Square Premier rivals Burton Albion.

The prolific marksman has made a name for himself in non-league football, twice winning the Conference Golden Boot to help both Boston United and Chester City to promotion.

The Jersey-born forward started his career as a trainee at Grimsby Town and had loan spells with Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town before making a permanent switch to Boston United on a free transfer.

He went on to make 48 appearances for the Pilgrims, scoring 25 goals in the process.

Clare was on the move again a year later, signing for Chester on a free at the end of October 2002.

The Irish striker netted an impressive 49 times in 64 appearances before rejoining Boston for a second spell.

His second spell at Boston didn't last long and he went on to sign for Crawley Town at the end of August, 2005.

He stayed with the Red Devils for s full season, netting 11 times in 26 appearances before signing for Burton Albio9n on a free transfer in March 2006.

"I think if you look at Daryl's career record there is a pattern of him moving every two or three years, so you could say our time was up," Burton boss Nigel Clough told the Burton Mail.

"We knew there would be a lot of interest in him because strikers who score 28 goals in a season are a rare commodity.

"We knew as well that financially we would be hard pressed to compete with some of the figures being bandied around."

Clough is optimistic despite the loss of his top scorer and added: "Of course it's a blow to lose a player capable of scoring 28 goals in a season, but that's football and we've just got to plan ahead without him.

"We'll sign a striker or two and take heart from the fact that we still managed some pretty good results without Daryl in the team.

"I recall we beat Torquay home and away when he as out injured, so while losing him is a disappointment, it is not the end of the world."