AFC Bournemouth striker Jake initially joined the Saddlers on a short-term loan deal alongside Birmingham City prospect Adan George on Deadline Day, with his deal expiring on 5th January.
However, during the final weeks of his deal club officials were said to be working to extend his stay until the end of the season, as the Isle of Wight-born attacker began to settle into life in WS1.
But, despite Clarke seemingly receiving positive vibes from Jake's agent, the attacker made a swift return to his parent club before joining League Two rivals Newport County just a day or so later.
Although the manager admits his club were not paying any of Scrimshaw’s wages, the forward was settling in well with his temporary team-mates and was highly regarded by Clarke and his coaching staff.
Though keen to move on, the manager did seek to praise Scrimshaw for his attitude during his stay in the Black Country before wishing him all the best as he begins a new chapter in South Wales.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Darrell said; "Nothing surprises me in football, it’s the way of the world. I know he lives south of the country on the Isle of Wight – Newport is still a fair distance away.
"These things happen in football. We’d have liked to have kept him but we also weren’t paying any financial obligation for him.
"We wish him all the best, but certainly not in the game against us. He’s a good lad with a good attitude.
"A young prospect who still has a lot of work to do, but we enjoyed him while he had his time here."
When asked if Scrimshaw’s decision to depart was a surprise, Clarke added; "My gut feeling was, leading up to the last week and speaking to his agent, that I thought there might be something in the pipeline.
"These things happen and when he’s not our player it can always happen. We’re a bit disappointed but we have to adapt, there’s no point dwelling on it.
"We would have liked to him to stay until the end of the season but that’s not the case and we move on."