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Hunt Was Close to New Town Deal
Monday, 24th Aug 2015 19:32

Former Blue Noel Hunt has revealed that he was close to agreeing a new contract with the Blues until the deals which saw Brett Pitman and Ryan Fraser move to Town and Tyrone Mings join AFC Bournemouth for £8 million. The 32-year-old former Ireland international's previous Blues terms were up at the end of last season.

“I was in discussions with Ipswich over a potential deal and we were haggling over a couple of minor issues,” Hunt writes in his column for BeanBagSports.

“That was a Wednesday and on the Thursday I was out in Portugal for a friend’s wedding when the Tyrone Mings deal to Bournemouth went through.

“As part of the deal Ipswich signed Brett Pitman and Ryan Fraser and I kind of knew then I was in a bit of trouble because it meant Ipswich now had four strikers.

“I came back from Portugal and went in to see the gaffer. He said, ‘I know we were talking about a contract but this deal came about and it was too good to turn down’. That’s football unfortunately.”

But Hunt, who subsequently joined League One Southend, having held talks with amongst others Chicago Fire, says he’s far from bitter.

“People ask me if I feel hard done by and the honest answer is no, I don’t. What Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor did for me last November is something I can never repay them for.

“They took me in on a limb and I hope I did well for them. Even this summer they invited me to train with the guys to keep fit until I found myself a club.”

Having been told he wouldn’t be staying at Portman Road, Hunt had a surprise waiting for him at home: “My wife was holding a pregnancy stick and I’m thinking 'Aww f*****g hell, here we go!'.

“I was gutted on one hand because of the club situation whereas I was delighted for myself and my missus on the other. I said to her, that’s great news, all I have to do now is find a job!”


Photo: Action Images



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LegendofthePhoenix added 19:38 - Aug 24
Well done Noel, we loved you at PR and you scored some crucial goals. So pleased for you that you are a dad and also have a job now at Southend - best of luck you should shine at that level.
20

SouperJim added 19:47 - Aug 24
You certainly did well for us Noel and it was a pleasure seeing you in an Ipswich shirt. Shame you won't be a part of our promotion season as you are a fantastic pro with a lot of integrity. Best of luck for the future.
12

Steve_M added 19:58 - Aug 24
Another little vignette that tells us such a lot about the state of this club these days. Thanks Goal did Charlton and Millwall and congratulations.
3

alexsmith111 added 20:34 - Aug 24
Holy crap, it's been an age since I've been sad and privileged when a 1st team player has left. Chopra, OUT!!! Bullard, OUT. Loved him but Edwards out. Taylor, OUT!!!!!. Noel, what a lad. Short time, but appreciated from both sides. A pro, love it. Another testimony to muck and TC's time
2

Chicago_Blue added 21:00 - Aug 24
Will never forget that 95th minute goal at Charlton. That's a memory that will live long!
10

WhoisJimmyJuan added 21:00 - Aug 24
Alexsmith111: I could not agree more. I am gutted too and yet cannot argue of course with MM over this. I wonder if Noel us hinting he is regretting the haggling? Who knows. But when you think about those players you listed - and others down the years - Noel Hunt would be a candidate for my ITFC hall of fame. Not just those 2 goals, but for THAT Christmas pic at the hospital with the kids and for his antics in front of the Scum fans in the Play offs. Legend.
4

jas0999 added 21:04 - Aug 24
Interesting read. I wondered how the Mings deal may have changed our strategy and despite N Hunt being decent, we have essentially signed better players. The likes of Chaplow also not kept on. I wish Noël well.
3

itfchorry added 21:09 - Aug 24
Came down to our London Branch AGM -
Was fantastic -
Great guy and wish him all the best.
4

SuffolkScorpion added 21:18 - Aug 24
Thank god we didn't sign him! Good lad but little to no talent and wouldn't have helped this year at all!
-10

brian_a_mul added 21:31 - Aug 24
Maybe Hunt Jr may line out for Town in 18 years time :)
7

jert16 added 23:15 - Aug 24
Top man!
1

wkj added 23:19 - Aug 24
Its a shame some of our most important goal scorers of last year just werent quite up to Micks standard this year, Ando vs Nodge, Hunt vs Carlton, lovely bloke though is Hunt.
4

bkitfc added 07:17 - Aug 25
I feel sad for him but personally Brett Pitman is better than Noel Hunt. He will always be remembered for Charlton A and I hope he does well at Southend
3

yorksblue added 08:17 - Aug 25
Serves you right for 'haggling' when it may have already been done and dusted.

Now get you finger out, and get Southend moving in the right direction.
-1

KuqiCoup added 08:58 - Aug 25
Now this is something worth remembering next time people are wondering why McCarthy isn't spending big money.

Noel Hunt was a complete outcast at Leeds and I don't believe had ever scored a goal for them. Noel Hunt will be playing next season in League One for a team likely to struggle at the bottom.

Between that period? Mick took him, got 3 goals in something like 6 games out of him and were it not for injuries who knows what would have happened.

There are plenty of players like Noel Hunt and Luke Varney that are written off by other clubs, but Mick and Terry get the very best out of them and even when they are surplus to requirements they speak in glowing terms, even when they were about to be offered a deal that was taken away when they find out they are about to have a child!

What more can be said about the exceptional management we have here. Other teams spend millions on players but if they are not managed right you get 50% from them. Mick and TC get 100% from a player with 50% of the ability and get the same results for peanuts.

Noel sounds like a thoroughly decent professional. Best wishes to him at Saaafend.
4


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