Town’s annual Portman Road open day was attended by 5,000 fans with the players and staff signing autographs and having their photos taken before taking part in a training session on the main pitch.

Town MD Ian Milne says the event went very well with long queues having stretched around the ground prior to the gates opening at 9.30am.

“We’re well over 4,000 [at time of speaking] and 1,500 went through the autograph queues, so I think that was successful,” he said.

“The boys are training and there’s a big crowd in there and there’s a big crowd on the FieldTurf as well, so I’m very pleased, it’s been very successful.”

Manager Mick McCarthy admitted it was a touch unusual having supporters watching a training session but thought the day went well.

“You hope that you entertain them. It’s great though, it’s not surreal because it’s an audience at Portman Road, but it is watching training.”

Missing from the session were Brett Pitman, who suffered a toe injury in the Charlton friendly on Tuesday, and Luke Hyam, who hurt his knee at Cambridge on Saturday.

The duo are expected to miss Saturday’s final friendly at home to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise but will be fine for the season opener against Barnsley the following week.

Trialist Roland Lamah wasn’t involved in this morning’s session but is still at the club. McCarthy says the club is still in talks with the 28-year-old winger, who is likely to play in Saturday’s match.

Regarding further additions, McCarthy added: “We’re still trying, hopefully I’m going to get them in before the season starts.”

Photo: Action Images

12th_Man added 16:28 - Jul 28 Great to see the team train but who's idea was it to have separate tables for signing session made a big mistake. should have kept with last year and doing autographs on the pitch. my son was very disappointed
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PhilTWTD added 16:41 - Jul 28 Re the change of approach to autographs, think the reason behind it was down to a fear of crushing with everyone pushing to get to the front of the stand to get to the players.
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12th_Man added 16:44 - Jul 28 Have one large tent one way in one way out work your way around
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Bluemoss added 16:58 - Jul 28 People always find something to moan about! Get a grip.
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midastouch added 17:02 - Jul 28 Who looked the sharpest in training? I think I recall Joe Royle once comparing Bowditch to Bergkamp in training, no s**t! So I know what happens on the training pitch doesn't always necessarily translate to a Saturday afternoon. But still must of been interesting to see the lads being put through their paces.
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jas0999 added 17:09 - Jul 28 Good to see. Looks like everyone had a good day. Well done Town!
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Seasider added 17:58 - Jul 28 Think Rosie Richardson said there were 8000 through gates last year,so numbers considerably down (5000),although don't know why.
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Umros added 18:15 - Jul 28 Maybe numbers were down as everone got all the players signatures last year and there was only one new autograph to get! 😁
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coolcat added 21:23 - Jul 28 Enjoyed it but not as much as last year. Came up from London but due to last minute change to autographs being at the beginning missed the start. Got there at 10am & thought it was going to be pitch side. No indication when you went in where it was going to be. Some fans said they cut the queue after a certain amount of time anyway & some were disappointed. Was a shame missing out of the beginning, but enjoyed watching the training though. Funny watching Chambers being virtually mobbed outside afterwards - he's very good with the fans..

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DirtyOldNodger added 21:31 - Jul 28 Great day had by all. Very friendly and relaxed, and plenty for the kids to do. Well done to the club, and wishing them all the very best for this season!
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BotesdaleBlue added 16:33 - Jul 30 Sounds like a good day was had
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