Testimonial man Fabian Wilnis says he can't wait for his big day to finally come. Saturday sees the Dutchman's long-awaited testimonial with a first team game against Colchester (KO 2pm) and a half-time mini-match involving Town greats of the past.

The Dutchman, who was with the Blues from 1999-2008, says Saturday sees the culmination of an enormous amount of work: "It's finally here. There's been a lot of preparation and a lot of work has gone into it. I couldn't have done it without my committee, who have been really, really good.

"I'm pleased with how all the events we've organised throughout the year, including a party, a fashion show and a football tournament, have gone. The reason why we did them was so people still remembered me because I've been gone from the club for over a year now.”

The 38-year-old says there will be some sadness as well as joy on his big day: "There'll be mixed feelings because it'll be my very, very last game in Ipswich colours, unless I play in the Masters or something.

"Roy Keane has been brilliant. It's going to be a serious game, but he asked me how long I wanted to play for, 15 minutes, 20 or half an hour.

"At half-time I'll play my mini-match and then we'll see. He said ‘Just give me the nod and you can go on for the last 15 minutes or so.'”

The scorer of famous goals against Manchester United and Norwich City is looking to get on the scoresheet once again to mark the end of his career: "I'm actually in a good run of goalscoring form! If there are any penalties, I'll definitely be pushing everyone else aside!

"I've been keeping my fitness levels up playing with Needham Market and I've scored two goals in two games. I also picked up a slight injury, a dead leg, but it's OK now and won't stop me from playing.”

At half-time, 18 Town players of the past will compete in a mini-match. Frans Thijssen, who will also be the guest of honour at a dinner at the Town Hall later in the evening, is back at Portman Road for the first time in many years, while Kieron Dyer, John Wark, Kevin Beattie, Hermann Hreidarsson, Simon Milton, Kevin Horlock, John McGreal, Martijn Reuser, Sylvain Legwinski, Gary Croft, Chris Kiwomya, Jason Dozzell and Darren Currie will also be involved.

Wilnis explained how the game will work: "It's a nine-a-side match played between the penalty areas. It's something I'm looking forward to. Both teams will be made up of Ipswich players and you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out who they all are. Some of them are surprises.”

There are also plenty of friends and family coming over from Holland: "I've booked 31 rooms in the Novotel! Not just for my family but for all the players. Frans Thijssen's coming over tonight, as is Hermann Hreidarsson. Lots of the players are staying there.”

In addition to inviting plenty of Town stars of the past, the full-back has even picked the referee: "I especially asked for my good friend Andy D'Urso to referee tomorrow because he always argued with me. I gave him stick, but he gave me stick as well! I like that in a referee.

"I'd tell him he was wrong or he wasn't having a good game and he'd say the same to me, it was great banter. He was always saying to me ‘What are you doing on the pitch? You're way too old!' and I'd come back at him, ‘I could say the same about you!'

"I've crossed Kevin Friend [who sent Fab off twice in matches against Plymouth] off my Christmas card list! I didn't want him refereeing my testimonial because he'd probably send me off again!”

Wilnis will be donating money raised by the testimonial, the CD he commissioned from singer-songwriter Asa Jennings and his book Full English, which you can buy from TWTD, to Town's Community Trust and also his own new charitable organisation: "I'm also going to set up the Fab Foundation, which will have the slogan ‘Footballers making a difference'.

"I want to set up this Foundation because people see footballers driving their big cars and whatever and I just want to make people aware that there are players who want to do something better for the community.

"Rather than asking players for a big donation, I'm going to ask for a smaller amount on a monthly basis. A player in the Premier League we'll ask for £100 monthly, a Championship player for £50, League One £20 and League Two £10.

"It's going to be small amounts that I'm asking for and with that money we're going to support local communities in the player's region, not just here in Ipswich but in the city where they play.

"I've been a footballer for many years and I've been approached by a lot of charities, but you have such a busy lifestyle and often you can't really focus on anything else. If we do this through a direct debit, players don't have to be too aware that the money's going out.

"Every now and then we'll send them a newsletter telling them where the money's going. Hopefully, it will work really well and it's something working well. It will be hard work, but it will be rewarding.”

But first, Wilnis says he will have a rest after a year packed full of testimonial events and will be moving back to Holland on September 1st, finally closing the door on his 10 years in English football.

Photo: Action Images

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