Town boss Mick McCarthy thoroughly enjoyed this morning’s Open Day and training session on the main Portman Road pitch, which was attended by a record crowd of 8,040 - well up on last year's 4,700 - as well as TWTD’s camera.

The players - including trialists Giles Coke and Larsen Touré and released striker Noel Hunt who is currently training with the Blues - were put through their paces on the pitch by McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor before signing autographs and having selfies taken with supporters, while there were also plenty of attractions on the FieldTurf behind the East of England Co-op Stand.

“It was great,” McCarthy said. “I thought the lads out on a good session, TC put on a great session on for them and they all enjoyed it. I said to put something on that’ll entertain them and he did just that.

“It was part of what we do, passing and moving and finishing, crossing and finishing and then a game. You’re practising your techniques, your skills, your disciplines on the pitch, it’s a bit more enjoyable than just standing around and being coached.”

He says his squad are ready for the start of the season at Brentford a week on Saturday: “Yes, they’re all fine. They came back in great shape.

“I keep getting asked the question, ‘Are we ready to start after the hangover of last season?’.

“What hangover? We were great last season, we had a great season. I think we all feel a sense of pride in it as opposed to anything else.”

Larsen Touré

Giles Coke

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 16:56 - Jul 30 All good , look forward to the signings.
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kingcarloss added 17:01 - Jul 30 More there today than what will be there vs Utretch & Stevenage.
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Bluebell added 17:04 - Jul 30 Some great photos there Phil. Fanastic that so many people could make it and lovely that the team, Mick and Terry are so good with the fans. Wish I could have been there!
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jas0999 added 17:31 - Jul 30 Great news. After some disappointing PR news articles this pre season (mascots, Suffolk police) this is certainly a credit to the club, which they deserve congratulations for.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 17:37 - Jul 30 A fantastic day, pleasure to meet the players, children loved it.
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NSL added 18:06 - Jul 30 Pittman must be loving it, more people at a town training session than a Bournemouth home game!
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linhdi added 19:02 - Jul 30 Fantasic day - brilliant crowd. 8000 people, so many kids, so much stuff to do and all free. Handed out 1000s of badges, stickers, fixture lists and supporters event handouts. Chatted to so many kids, parents, grandparents...
4

runningout added 19:42 - Jul 30 wished I was there....
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miltonsnephew added 19:59 - Jul 30 Wondering are we due any money from the sale of Wickham to C,palace? Sell on fee???
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coolcat added 22:21 - Jul 30 Really enjoyed the open day today. Players training session was impressive. Not a complaint, but was a little mystified that the autographs after the training was only half hour, compared to about an hour last year. I'm sure there are valid reasons for it, as an hour seemed too long last year. May be 2 smaller sessions may have been better. There were more crowds this year as well which is understandable as the profile of the club has gone up.

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MrDiddle added 22:42 - Jul 30 Proper family club. Love it! Up the town!
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Warkys_Tash added 23:02 - Jul 30 Whickham to Palace??
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philpott2 added 07:12 - Jul 31 Really good day yesterday. Couldn't believe how long the queue was to get in! My lads really enjoyed it, Sir Johnny Wark posed for a pic with me and the kids.....great stuff. But it was so busy, they couldn't get anywhere near the players for a pic or autographs, which was a big letdown unfortunately...... Looking forward to the season already, coyb!!
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townietilidie added 07:51 - Jul 31 Good day put on by the club . What a big shame that those kids who had been invited to play in the mini festival were refused entry to the pitch once they had finished playing . The reason given " there are too many people in there already " . Bull**** !! The place holds 30,000 people . Obviously some of the kids were so upset and in tears that after playing for two hours and missing the first team train they thought they were going to miss out on seeing there idols altogether . After 20 minutes arguing with the stewards the kids were let in just in time to catch a quick glimpse of a couple of trialist's signing autographs . Thanks ITFC , YOU RUINED MY DAGHTERS DAY !!

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PrinceofPeroni added 08:11 - Jul 31 Great day...spot the former town player in the crowd?
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