Grant: Once a Blue, Always a Blue
Tuesday, 9th Aug 2016 06:00

Conor Grant is keen to make an impact during his season-long loan with Town — but his number one aim remains to make the grade with parent club Everton.

The call to Goodison was the stuff of dreams for the youngster born in Liverpool and raised to be a Blue, and at 21 he has time on his side to play his way into new manager Ronald Koeman’s first-team squad.

Midfielder Grant said: “I believe in myself a lot and I believe I can break through to the first team — but who knows what is going to happen in the future? I’ll just take it game by game here and show the Ipswich fans what I can do.

“I have always been an Everton fan and was a season ticket holder since the age of about five, so it’s been a long time. I was playing for a local side when they scouted me and it was a dream to sign for them.

“I was hoping I might get a look-in but the way things were going in pre-season it became clear that maybe another loan move would be the best option.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity the manager has given me by bringing me here. It’s a brilliant club and I can’t wait for the next game and then to keep on going through the season.

“The move came about quite quickly and I never even had an opportunity to speak to Ronald Koeman. I just want to have a great season here — this is the next step up for me — and it’s important that I play games and make the most of this chance.”

Town’s latest recruit has plenty of people he can ask for advice, including uncle Tony Grant, now 40 but an England U21 international towards the start of a career that took him from first club Everton to Manchester City and Burnley, and despite his scrawny appearance rarely saw him fail to impress in central midfield.

Grant said: “My uncle has been a massive influence on me and he calls me regularly. He has always given me great advice and reminds me how football can be about a lot of highs and lows.

“He should know because he has been there and done it. His advice to me is invaluable and he has helped me so much.

“Joe Royle has also been brilliant with me over the last couple of years since he rejoined the club and he has helped me to get a few loan deals. He’s always on the end of the phone if I ever need him.

“It’s just great to have someone who is such a big part of the club’s history in my corner and looking after me.

“When I spoke to Joe about coming here he had nothing but good words to say about Ipswich. Coming from Liverpool I had no idea what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s lovely here.”

Photo: Action Images

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yorksblue added 08:54 - Aug 9 No offence mate, but coming from Liverpool, anywhere's lovely.
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Garv added 10:42 - Aug 9 Nice to hear Royle still doing good work.
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Pilgrimblue added 10:47 - Aug 9 Well you're still a Blue so it'll be interesting how you fit in tonite and what part you'll play this season. Just right age for us but maybe not in Evertons future plans unless they get relegated (unlikely). It puts him in shop window so up to him to play for his future.
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