Dale sign Darlington duo but Perkins is close to exit

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 04/07/2008

Rochdale have secured the services of Clark Keltie and Scott Wiseman after the pair were released by Darlington at the end of the season.

The signing of another midfield player, in Keltie, comes as Stockport are set to announce the signing of Dale's star midfielder David Perkins, which has saddened many Dale fans who believe that Perkins would have been the man to lead them to promotion this season.

The former Morecambe man will join Stockport next week after Dale were forced to accept a £150,000 bid due a stipulation in the midfielder's contract.

The two new signings both played against Dale in the second leg of the League Two play-off semi final. Keltie scored the Darlington penalty that gave them one foot in the final and in the second half he struck the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Keltie had spent his entire career at Darlington, making more than 150 appearances for the Quakers. He signs for Dale as a central midfield player but has been known to play out wide.

22-year old Wiseman has spent time at a number of lower league clubs including Rotherham and Boston, as well as Darlington. He spent one season with the Quakers following a successful loan spell but he made just ten appearances for the North East club.