Eccentric support the writer gives French town (7)
I believe the answer is:
cambrai
'french town' is the definition.
'eccentric support the writer' is the wordplay.
'eccentric' becomes 'cam' (an eccentric is a mechanical device such as a cam).
'support' becomes 'bra' (a support for the breasts).
'the writer' becomes 'I' (the person who is writing these clues).
'cam'+'bra'+'i'='CAMBRAI'
'gives' is the link.
(Other definitions for cambrai that I've seen before include "Site of two WW1 battles" , "Two World War One battles here" , "battle" .)