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Bennett Only Scholar to Be Offered Contract
Bennett Only Scholar to Be Offered Contract
Thursday, 16th Feb 2012 19:13

Right-back or midfielder Callum Bennett is the only one of the Academy’s second-year scholars who will be offered a professional contract. The seven youngsters whose scholarships are up this summer met with Academy manager Sammy Morgan and U18s coach Russell Osman to learn their fates this afternoon.

Central defender Jide Maduako, Wales U17 international midfielder Elliot Scotcher, Republic of Ireland U17 international keeper Conor O'Donnell, Yarmouth-based full-back or midfielder Aaron Jones and Republic of Ireland U17 international striker Carel Tiofack have all been released.

Norwegian central defender Nicolay Schrøder has been handed an extension to his time at Playford Road until January 2013 having spent much of his scholarship sidelined with tendinitis.

Another second-year scholar, left-back Joe Whight, was handed a two-year professional deal last summer.

Morgan says giving the news is the most difficult aspect of working with youngsters: "It's the hardest part of the job for Russell and I.

"We have worked with the boys for two years, longer in many cases, and it's hard to sit down with them and tell them we have to let them go - but decisions have to be made.

"The manager will speak to Callum about professional terms and Nico will stay with us until January because of the injury he had last year.

"We will circulate the names of the others and try and help them get fixed up with a club. Just because we have not given them a contract, it doesn't mean they won't stay in the game. There are plenty of examples of players being released who have gone on to have good careers in football."

Bennett, a former Kesgrave High School pupil who has also operated at centre-half, first played for the Blues at U9 level.


Photo: Action Images



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blue1 added 21:13 - Feb 16
Old school would agree with you most of these boys were not given the chance to show what they are capable of sadly
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Lower_North added 21:25 - Feb 16
Well done Callum you have worked hard for that.All the best..

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MathieandMarshall added 22:00 - Feb 16
Agree with previous post about the lack of regular reserve football and smaller benches. How are our young players supposed to break into the first team? Really not sure what the answer is here. Crazy that there isn't a championship reserve league or something??
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WalkyTalky added 22:31 - Feb 16
Finally a right back!
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runaround added 22:37 - Feb 16
Surprised Maduako wasn't offered a contract. Good luck to them all
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algarvefan added 23:24 - Feb 16
Is this the beginning of the end for our academy???
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WickedBlue added 02:47 - Feb 17
Sammy Morgans and Russell Osmans opinions? or the loons on TWTD....Sammy Morgans and Russell Osmans opinions? or the loons on TWTD. Damn tough choice as to who to agree with.....
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henleyboy added 05:42 - Feb 17
Agree with many of the comments made by oldschool Bennett is a full back not a midfielder,Jones has not been played in his best position which is midfield
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fatboyakasha added 10:15 - Feb 17
Well done Callum! Ipswich's only true right-back.
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TurinBlue added 11:17 - Feb 17
I agree its very sad we have to let these players go but a realistic decision has to be taken at some point. There are few examples where we have let people go at this point and they have come back to haunt us. We handed out contracts like confetti in Keanes day but no one has come through to the first team except Carson. Of the people who left after contract only Trotter looks likely to have been useful to us.
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tellitasiseeit added 11:53 - Feb 17
oldschool do not agree with some of your comments regarding the under 18s team.If you have been watching most of the under 18s games this year you should realize that this years team is very poor compared to previous years.Conner although a good keeper is not in the same class as Cropper. Conner needs to command his area better also needs to improve on crosses into his area. This would improve with time. I am feeling low over this bunch of players being released because I feel we had the makings of some good players with some of these lads,Conner is one of them players. Jide Maduako is often caught with the ball and tends to get flustered making grave errors in front of the area,Good with his heading of the ball scoring a few good goals,But do not think even with the improvement he will make it?. Elliot Scotcher ,Aaron Jones I thought would make it but alas not to be. Nicolay Schroder being kept on till January could this be a case like Lavery? I feel the problem with these lads is the lack of games in the Ipswich set up. I also feel that The Academy is being neglected to some extent/ also the players in the Academy are being overlooked by the Management in favour of the older players that are not as good in some cases. These lads need more playing time. Some players are lazy in training yet are very,very, good in the real thing. Do they judge these lads on the training ground or in the real game? I wonder Good luck to all these lads ,Hope they go on to prove Ipswich wrong. COYB
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footyfan182 added 12:25 - Feb 17
Well done Callum Bennett you have worked hard for many years for this good luck for your future !!!!
Aran Jones was originally a RB but had to compete with CB so played in midfield which is probably why he wasnt offered Pro deal as they would not want 2 RB.
He will hopefully be ablr to return to his RB position at another club good luck to him to.
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newboy added 13:26 - Feb 17
Would have to disagree footyfan Jones has played RB most of this season and was not able to do himself justice as he is a better midfielder. That said congratulations to Bennett and I wish him well for the future. Was surprised all of them were released and I hope they are able to find other clubs. As we no longer support/develop youth apart from token gestures from PJ though we should not be surprised Bennett has his work cut out getting a place or he can come back when he is 30
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harlingblue added 21:32 - Feb 17
Our Academy should have the backing of ME, PJ and all involved with ITFC and our scouting system. We could MAKE money for the Club developing players instead of having to pay inflated prices for other teams unwanted players.
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tellitasiseeit added 23:32 - Feb 17
harlingblue agree with you 100% I think we will not be getting the quality players at Ipswich Academy in the future . Who will want to come here. Academy players at Ipswich are treated as if they are little boy';s, not good enough for Ipswich. Who seem to want the more elderly players who only have a couple of years left in them. They will not have to train ,feed house or compete with other Academies. Thus cutting the cost for ME and Clegg. Ipswich is on the slide to oblivion .The good name of Ipswich is going to be a laughing Stock. Shame, Shame Shame!
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