Being you stated it would crank with the clutch pedal released I assume you have a clutch pedal switch. If correct it is either the relay or starter solenoid. Take the wire that goes to the starter relay off. This would be the smaller wire that goes to the starter. If it still cranks when the battery cable is on then the problem is in the starter.
So....Disconnected the from starter to relay...and it would not crank when battery connected. Then....just reconnected it...and did not crank either...and car started and shut off fine. Flaky relay.....?
