Youngsters Teddy Bishop and Matt Clarke have signed new long-term deals with the Blues. The duo have put pen to paper on contracts which run to June 2016 with an option for a further season.

Cambridge-born Bishop, 18, signed a one-year deal in the summer with his extended terms a reward for his progress in the season up to now.

The midfielder, who has been with the club since the U8s, made his debut as a sub in the Capital One Cup tie at Crawley, then made his first start in the 1-1 draw at Derby.

“It’s great to sign the contract and it’s a nice reward for the work I’ve put in,” Bishop told the club site.

“I’ve been at Ipswich since I was a kid, so I know what the club is all about and it’s just great to get the contract done and dusted.

“I’ve had a taste of playing in the first team and hopefully I can get a few more appearances. I’ll be working hard to try and impress the manager.”

Second-year academy scholar Clarke, a 17-year-old former Claydon High School pupil from Barham, started the game at Crawley and is equally happy to have signed his first pro deal.

“I’m delighted to be staying at Ipswich and I’m pleased to get the deal signed today,” he added.

“It was great to play against Crawley and I’m really enjoying my football. Ipswich is a superb club and, as I’ve said, I’m happy to be continuing to learn here.”

Photo: Action Images

brian_a_mul added 15:00 - Sep 11 YES
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brian_a_mul added 15:01 - Sep 11 YES!
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ITFC1983 added 15:09 - Sep 11 Congratulations boys. You reward for your hard work. Now push on further and fulfil your potential in a town shirt. Good luck! :)
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PJH added 15:10 - Sep 11 Great news, these two could be very special.
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kuyski added 15:11 - Sep 11 Great news！
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bohslegend added 15:16 - Sep 11 A clear, unconditional indication that MM values our youth talent in the club. Hopefully there will be no more snide remarks about not giving youngsters a chance. Hyam, Smith, Mings, Bishop, Clarke, Hewitt and Henshall are all grateful to him I'm sure, and we fans should acknowledge that rather than continually having a pop.
27

PortmanTerrorist added 15:22 - Sep 11 Lets hope this means they play and not just fulfill FFP quota
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OldClactonBlue added 15:49 - Sep 11 bohslegend Let's see if Bishop keeps his place after his influential performance at Derby, or is sacrificed for the "safe" Skuse option!
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Superblue95 added 15:50 - Sep 11 Future first teamers for sure
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hadleighboyblue added 16:00 - Sep 11 Great news , we need to get youngsters in supplemented by some experienced players . That has to be the best way for ITFC and let's hope the fans give them lots of support - I don't understand the flack Hyam gets - his workrate is a vital part of our play . Much better to bring our own players through and these 2 look really good prospects . I look forward to seeing them in the 1st team , if they're good enough , they're old enough . Exciting to see them develop .

4

ArnieM added 16:04 - Sep 11 Cat one academy status, pah! Who needs a label to develop young players who actually DO play for our first .
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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:29 - Sep 11 Collison plus Williams Plus Kebbe next please, then I will feel like we have some strenghth in depth. Any news on when we might expect Stewart back?
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Seasider added 16:35 - Sep 11 Very pleasing.I recall Mr Evans stating some time ago that they would be looking to have half the team from the Academy eventually. The players brought in this season (apart from one) would seem to indicate that Mick is looking to play a better style of football,as happened at Derby in second half. However will the likes of these two lads together with Henshall Hewitt,Parr Stewart,Bru or Ambrose get much time on the pitch or be able to displace the likes of Skuse Tabb Chambers Anderson or Hyam who have so far this season got us to the heady heights of 19th in Championship? I sincerely hope so but on past experience am doubtful although I realise that only eleven players can be on the pitch at any one time;so wouldn't expect all to play; but just be given a chance,and not be dropped immediately the old favorites were available,as could happen on Saturday if Skuse is brought back.

4

jas0999 added 16:55 - Sep 11 I'm looking forward to seeing Bishop play at the weekend. Skuse has been awful this season and back end of last, so even if fit, will surely only be on the bench. Desperately need more than three defence minded players in the midfield.
3

pennblue added 17:11 - Sep 11 But Mings and McGoldrick have not.
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BillBlue added 17:15 - Sep 11 bohslegend - this is now very late in the day for him to change he should have been doing this last year when it was very apparent that was what was needed, now let us hope he has the guts to play them and, fortunately, we only have three days to wait. IMO he has been told he has to start accepting our Youth players into the ranks of our team because the Club is still smarting from the rejection of Class 1 which was solely down to him.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:02 - Sep 11 Billblue- In your opinion!! Do u have any facts to back this up or is it as usual just a way of turning a good news article into a swipe at MM. I have no problem with people not liking MM and making constructive criticism but posts like yours based on pure guess work are far too common on here.
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PJH added 18:21 - Sep 11 I thought the main reason for not getting category 1 was to do with the lack of a particular computer system. Is MM also responsible for computer systems?
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muccletonjoe added 18:58 - Sep 11 excellent news . These two really are set to be the future of this club and are the best I have seen come through the ranks in a while
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harlingblue added 19:14 - Sep 11 This is very good news, both these lads are very talented and have the ability to be a part of a strong future Town team.
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bluemagic74 added 19:25 - Sep 11 Very good news well done lads, keep it up.COYB..
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:38 - Sep 11 Excellent news! Both great prospects.
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BlueSwede added 08:26 - Sep 12 Great news. And a good step on the way to Cat 1 status for the Accademy as I understand that the 0.3 percent that we missed out by this year, was because we hadn't gotten enough young players into the first team over the last seasons, however much we would have wanted the youngsters who have been released to be good enough to do so. Everything else at the Accademy was better then many of the other club who were awarded Cat 1. Really promissing to see that they have been handed long term deals too. Need to create that core of players to take the next step. And a clear indication of the fact that if the young players are good enough, they will be promoted to the first-team. Like you said bohslegend, lots of young players coming through - hopefully for many years to come.

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dubblue added 11:15 - Sep 12 This is very positive news, and if it helps us get category 1 status all the better.
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