Keeper Scott Loach says he’s had a “brilliant time” back at Portman Road, despite his lack of first-team opportunities and the likelihood that he’ll move on this summer. The 25-year-old former Watford man, who has two years left on his contract, has been made available for transfer.

Loach, a Town fan as a youngster, rejoined the Blues from the Hornets for £150,000 in the summer of 2012, having been in the academy at Playford Road as a schoolboy before his family moved back to Nottingham, his home town.

The former England U21 international, who says he may have to drop into League One to play regularly, has made 32 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues, but only seven of those starts came this season.

“Although the gaffer has said I can move on, nothing is set in stone just yet,” he told the club website.

“I won’t write off playing for Ipswich again just yet because you never know what happens in football, but it looks as if my time here is coming to an end.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone at the club, the gaffer, the players and all the fans who have been absolutely superb with me.

“I’ve had a brilliant time at Ipswich Town. I remember sitting in the stands as a kid dreaming of playing for the club and I’ve been fortunate to have fulfilled that dream.

“Whether that has been successful or not, that’s up to people to make their own minds up. All I know is that I’ve lived my dream and it’s been an honour to play for Ipswich Town.

"The club is heading in the right direction and everybody connected to Ipswich is a credit to the club. They all deserve a big future ahead."

Video: ITFC YouTube channel

Photo: Action Images

Superblue95 added 13:56 - May 7 Good luck Loachy
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TractorCam added 14:00 - May 7 Best of luck Scotty
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Bandbox_Blue added 14:02 - May 7 Nice Guy Scott Loach. Shame he isn't a very good goal keeper. All the best mate.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 14:04 - May 7 I'm gonna cry, that's so emotional!
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Marshalls_Mullet added 14:07 - May 7 Top bloke and good role model. Good luck Scott.
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Mark added 14:08 - May 7 I am sorry for him that it didn't work out. Maybe finding a League One club where he could be the first choice keeper would be best to get his career back on track.
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brendenward35 added 14:10 - May 7 Think some people who use this site need a good kick up the backside. Show me one word of negativity against the club all he has is praise and wishing the club all the very best and some people just want to slate him. Not often player put on the shirt with pride and passion rather than take the wage and don't care what happens on the pitch. Good luck Scott and thank you for doing your best for the club

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Daleyitfc added 14:31 - May 7 He lies like a pig in muck.
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ITFC_Essex added 14:33 - May 7 I am sorry but hes not a Town fan, hes stated many times he supports Manchester United. He was just here when he was a kid, his family is from Nottingham. Why continue to perpetuate a myth? This isn't the Daily Mail!
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invictablue added 14:33 - May 7 Well said brendenward35
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Jimmy86 added 14:49 - May 7 Still find it funny because he is certainly no worse than gerken, who has indeed made more mistakes this season than loachy has. His one weakness is commanding his area and coming off his line. Gerken isn't much better at this though to be honest, as was demonstrated against bournemouth, when he got done by an over head after it was headed up intp the air!!! Also against wigan at home and watford away when he was flat footed and didnt come when he should have. Gerken made too many mistakes this season and in my opinion loach is the better keeper and if he does leave then we need a new number 1 next season, my choice would be westwood or the colchester lad

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Popeye added 14:51 - May 7 It will be interesting to hear what Paul Taylor says about his time at the club!
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Surco72 added 14:53 - May 7 Don't think there is a lot between either keeper to be honest . MM must be trying to get a new number one or see little point in releasing Loach
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algarvefan added 14:59 - May 7 Some of you on here are so smart and clever aren't you!!! Loachy has behaved like a model pro, obviously loves the club and IMO hasn't been given a decent chance. I for one wish this decent young man all the best if he leaves then he does so with my respect and thanks. Good luck son.
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TR11BLU added 15:18 - May 7 Well he fulfilled his, and I suspect most posters on here, dream and pulled on the Blue (well green) shirt in front of the Town fans. Good luck Loachy. Nothing between him and Gerken, apart from Micks opinion. Mick will be looking for a No2, its blindingly obvious Gerken will be No1 next season.
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Lightningboy added 15:56 - May 7 Good luck Scott. The sad truth is we haven't had a truly great keeper (who was ours,not a loanee) since Kelvin Davis left about 9 years ago. Would love to see Kelvin back here next season.
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Kberkane added 15:58 - May 7 ITFC Essex - he was a town fan growing up. His dad was from Nottignham but he spent many years growing up in north essex as a town fan. Good to see local lads do well at our club.
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Seasider added 16:17 - May 7 Doesn't command his box as much as Gerken;but agree that this is not the time or place to criticise someone who has done his best,and has a good attitude. Hope he finds a new club soon as clearly doesn't like sitting on bench,and just taking his money which Richard Wright has done for a lot of his career.
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MarkFish added 16:47 - May 7 Sorry but if you think Gherken commands his box u wanna take up following a different game.
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Pessimistic added 17:00 - May 7 I think this is a poor decision on the part of McCarthy. There is not much to choose between The two of them and yet the local lad must go.It is an absolute disgrace and McCarthy should feel ashamed because he is getting rid of a player who did not get a fair crack of the whip and along with Paul Taylor he has lost two valuable team members.
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naa added 17:00 - May 7 Agree that Loachy has done nothing to deserve any criticism from us so why on earth some feel the need I don't know. He's always been happy to be here. He was sad about being on the bench, but never moaned. he played well when he came in. Personally, I agree with other who have said that he's on a par with Gerken. Both are decent but nothing more. We'll need a new number 2 so I assume that MM has someone lined up. Though I would like to see a number 1 if I'm honest and have Gerken as decent back-up - though whether he'd be happy with that is another matter.

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naa added 17:03 - May 7 LightningBoy: Neil Alexander was decent, just a shame we had to let him go. But he was the last truly decent keeper we've had. Though Wrighty showed glimpses of his previous greatness in his second spell.
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Jimmy86 added 17:11 - May 7 Looks like mick is keen on bringing in sam walker from colchester, watched some youtube clips of him and also remember him playing on loan in the league cup, young lad, who is tall which helps with dealing with crosses and his shot stopping is brilliant!!! There are also a fair few keepers out of contract in the summer, so lets see what happens. Gerken isn't a good enough number 1 tbh

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jas0999 added 17:42 - May 7 I wish him well for te future, but sadly we have two poor keepers at te club and Loach is marginally worse than Gerken. In fairness if he can get first team football elsewhere it's in his best interest to move on. Personally I would like to see us purchase a new keeper in the summer.
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Luka added 18:04 - May 7 Anyone else think/hope that this heralds a more permanent return for David Stockdale? Especially as Fulham are going to have to cut costs to survive as they blew £12mil on a striker they never saw play, and Sidwell and Parker will cost a lot for wages.
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