Homesbook Factoring Caplan

Ex-Ranger Tom Brighton Signs For Clyde

Twenty-four hours before Clyde’s First Division campaign begins in Dingwall, twenrt-one year old left-sided striker Tom Brighton has today joined Clyde.

A product of Rangers’ youth academy, the Irvine-born forward made just one first team appearance for Rangers, when he was in the starting line-up for the end of season match against Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park on 11 May 2002

He remained very much in contention for first team duty around this time. In January 2003, and with Rangers’ debt at its high point, there was much talk of the graduates of the Murray Park coaching academy replacing costly imports at Ibrox; Tom was one of those Rangers youngsters said to be “knocking on the door” for regular recognition from Rangers manager Alex McLeish.

That knock eventually grew quieter, not helped by serious ligament damage which caused him to miss the majority of the 2003/04 season, and by 31 August 2004 Tom decided that a bit of first team exposure with Scunthorpe United could prove to be just as successful for him as it had been for his former team mate Steven MacLean. He moved to Glanford Park for a scheduled three months.

Tom’s stay in Lincolnshire gave him two first team starts and three substitute appearances. When his loan spell ended he moved back to Ibrox, then declined the opportunity of a second loan deal on 11 January 2005, this time with St. Johnstone. Tom informed Saints at the time that he wished to stay at Ibrox and fight for a place in Alex McLeish’s future plans.

On 31 May 2005 his contract with Rangers wasn’t renewed and in mid July it was revealed that Tom had spent a week with Gillingham, including an appearance for the Gills in a friendly against Notts County.

No stranger to Broadwood Stadium, having played there many times with Rangers Reserves, Tom remains a member of the current Scotland Under 21 squad and is currently listed on the S.F.A. website as “Tom Brighton (unattached). Not any more he isn’t! As from today it’s Tom Brighton of Clyde.