Why Clyde promotion hero Ray Grant turned down chance to stay at Broadwood

The 23-year-old midfielder told the club last week that he is moving on after deciding to pursue other opportunities.

And in an exclusive interview with the Cumbernauld News he conceded he is walking away from “the best two and a half years of his life in football”.

He said: “I really can’t put into words how good it’s been, how enjoyable it’s been on and off the pitch.

“But whether it’s been awards or results, I’ve only been as good because of my team-mates.

“Obviously it’s ended in different circumstances to how I would have wanted. But you just move on and hopefully the next stage is just as enjoyable, if not better, at the next club I go to.”

Clyde will be entitled to a development fee for Grant and the player is quick to acknowledge how much the club and boss Danny Lennon have helped get his career back on track after a tough time with injuries.

He said: “It’s given me the opportunity to play games; that’s the biggest thing for any young player, getting the trust to play every week.

“I came in on the back of a difficult time in terms of injury and in that first season, when we just missed out on the play-offs when Danny first took over I was in for a couple of games and then he was taking me out because of the way my ankle was.

“At the time I probably didn’t see it like that and just wanted to keep playing.

“But he had his reasons for doing it and in the last two full seasons my appearances speak for themselves, playing back to back games.

“I think it’s developed me in that I’ve been given the freedom to play and enjoy my football.

“I would never go behind Clyde’s back and sign something without letting the club know first - when something gets signed the first person I’ll call will be Danny Lennon.”

As a key part of Clyde’s promotion winning side last year, Grant’s place in Bully Wee folklore is secure. And he had a parting message of thanks for the club’s supporters.

He said: “I’m not really on social media so I’d just like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone and hope they enjoyed the moments I was there and the promotion as much as I did.

“Even going through a wee sticky period last season just before the lockdown, they were frustrated but they stuck with us and we showed what we can do when they’re there, we turned it around.

“I can’t thank them enough for their support and really hope that one day I’m back at Clyde, either playing for them or against them, and able to go back to Broadwood.

“I hope they can progress and kick on because there’s so much potential for the club to go even higher.”