TWO relative unknowns joined the Dale ranks this week, as Steve Parkin targeted squad players for the coming campaign.

Former Mansfield defender Jamie Clarke and ex-Leeds striker Chris Armstrong made it three in at Spotland, after the arrival of Neil Brisco last week. Clarke signed a one-year deal, while Armstrong accepted a three-month offer.

Parkin has refused to speak to Observer Sport for the past week and is believed to be upset by our revelations about Brisco's eagerness to leave Port Vale for Rochdale.

The news, however, had already leaked out in the Potteries and we felt it our duty to inform readers of the latest transfer happenings.

The Dale boss did, though, talk to the club's official website about the signings.

"It's very important we build a squad at the club and players know they face competition for their places," he said.

Clarke, 22, is a utility defender who played against Dale at Field Mill last season.

He said: "I just want to get playing more regularly. I've signed for a year and the manager said he'd give me an extension if I impress, so I'll be trying my best."

Armstrong, a 19-year-old forward who spent six years at Elland Road, is equally excited about getting more games under his belt.

"I just want to get my career back on track," he said.

"Leeds is a big club and they have been going through a tough time. The drop to the Third Division is a big one, but I haven't been playing first team football and that's what I want."

Said Parkin: "Jamie can play anywhere across the back four and his adaptability will serve us well during what will be a long, hard season."

"Chris is 6ft 1in and has all the attributes needed to play at this level. He is a strong lad who should be able to cope with the physical demands of life in the Third Division."

• A MONEY-SPINNING FA Cup run was the key to a profit of more than '250,000, Dale's latest accounts show.

The documents for the 12 months up to the end of May 2003 were released to shareholders this week and underline the importance of the '600,000-plus raised by progress to the fifth round of the famous knockout by Paul Simpson's side.

The accounts show a trading profit (before taxation) of '253,198 for the year in question.

In his chairman's report, David Kilpatrick said: "I am pleased to report a profit of '253,198 for the year ending 31 May 2003, which was brought about by our achievement in reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup under our then player-manager Paul Simpson."

He added: "We eventually went out 3-1 against First Division side Wolves at Molineux, where full live television coverage on the BBC contributed a substantial amount to our FA Cup kitty which, in total, generated income of over '600,00 for the club."

• Rochdale AFC holds its AGM on Thursday 1 July in the Motorama Lounge at Spotland, 7.30pm start.

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