Town new boy Jordan Spence can’t emphasise enough how grateful he is for the chance to resurrect his career at Portman Road.

The former West Ham defender has signed a deal through to the end of the season after being in limbo for several months following his release by MK Dons when they were relegated from the Championship in May last year.

Spence, 26, spent time on trial during September and October at Town, playing in the U23 games at Bolton and at home to Liverpool, without being offered a contract.

But the loss of central defender Adam Webster, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, prompted a rethink by manager Mick McCarthy.

Trials at Rotherham United and Birmingham City that followed his temporary spell at Ipswich also came to nothing so when he received a belated offer from Town he was quick to accept.

Spence said: “I wouldn’t say I had given up hope of joining Ipswich but I had put it to the back of my mind.

“I enjoyed my time here and I always felt that if the call came from Ipswich I’d be more than happy to accept. It’s strange how football works but it can be strange how life works too. I’m here now and really looking forward to it.

“I did have other options and by the time we had reached this stage of the season I was really looking to get back to playing again.

“I’d had a few near misses, shall we say, and a few complications as well but that’s all water under the bridge now. I’m an Ipswich Town player and very grateful for the opportunity I have been given.

“I played in the Championship last season with MK Dons and I was hoping I would get another chance there.

“I thought that if I stayed at this level I could build on what I did last season and thankfully that has materialised.

“Every player wants to play at as high a level as they can and every footballer probably thinks they should be playing at a higher level.

“If they don’t there’s probably no point in playing the game. I’m ambitious and I wanted to be at a club like this.

“I know a few of the Ipswich lads — Freddie Sears from our time at West Ham and also when I’ve been pitting my wits against him, both at Colchester and Ipswich.

“I also know Skusey, Gerks and Pits well from my time at Bristol City, so I’m not walking into a changing room of strangers and that helps when you are starting out.”

Spence, who agreed he is entering a key period in his career, is eager to re-establish himself in English football. He added: “Hopefully I’ve got 10 good years left in me. Thank God I’ve been able to stay relatively injury free throughout my career. I’m 26 and hopefully my best years are ahead of me.

“I’m an East London boy and my family are on the right side of the city to get out here for home games and support me. I’m not unfamiliar with this part of the world after playing a lot of youth football out this way.”

Photo: TWTD

Suffolk_n_Good added 06:49 - Jan 20 Interesting how "The Club" have put the new lad forward for this weeks pre match interview, did none of that bunch from Tuesday fancy chatting......???
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Swn98 added 07:42 - Jan 20 Can't you find the good grace and humility to say something nice to a new recruit, Good luck Jordan hope you have along and successful career here at town one tip settle in quickly and don't make to many mistakes otherwise you will soon be the victim of the key board warriors and boo boys sad days
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:00 - Jan 20 good luck fella,under McCarthy you will need it .
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GiveusaWave added 08:09 - Jan 20 Really optimistic and sensible talk from Spence.
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parkinshair added 08:21 - Jan 20 Okay, it's been a long week in the life of a town fan so I'm looking at this in a glass half full perspective. Although the signings of Moore and Spence may seem underwhelming they could be just the players we need right now. Both have had their careers stall of late and have been given a second bite at the cherry. Hopefully when they get their chance to show us what they can do they will be playing with a bit of pride in the shirt and fire in the belly. Something a majority of the players didn't seem to have Tuesday. They have a point to prove. Let's hope they can do it with Ipswich and we'll all benefit from it.

7

Radlett_blue added 08:44 - Jan 20 This is a player MK Dons didn't want & we didn't want. He hasn't played this season & can't be anywhere near full fitness. But we want him. Shows where we're at.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 08:53 - Jan 20 Hey re-read my post swn98, I haven't said anything negative about the lad, but that doesn't stop people like you going around looking for something negative to say dies it???? Get your facts right before you start casting aspersions
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PhilTWTD added 09:08 - Jan 20 Town fairly regularly put any new signings up for interview ahead of the next game after they've signed. Spoke to Kieffer Moore on Monday, for example.
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Cakeman added 09:24 - Jan 20 Welcome Jordan, these are difficult times but I respectfully suggest we need to build some positivity. I am fed up with my glass being not even half full so I will try to look forward not back. We are not likely to attract big names in the coming months so hopefully the likes of Jordan and Kieffer can give us a fresh start. As Terry Butcher rightfully mentioned, perhaps we need to reach the bottom to improve or words to that effect.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 09:51 - Jan 20 I like his attitude
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Swn98 added 11:30 - Jan 20 You've used him as a pawn in your desire to have a dig at the club and players = negativity.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 11:49 - Jan 20 The players that put in that performance deserve every "dig" as you put it, it was a disgrace, (Lawrence & Gerken apart) you keep burying your head in the sand if you want, that's your choice, but excuse me if I want more for my team.
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Swn98 added 12:59 - Jan 20 My choice indeed although I can assure you that my head is not in the sand however yes Tuesday night was a disgrace but negativity will not erase that event all negativity does is some how make the person dealing it out feel better.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 17:26 - Jan 20 You don't know me at all!! Because I can assure you I don't feel better whatsoever!! You keep being positive my friend, but whilst people like you keep accepting mediocrity as being acceptable nothing at our club will change.
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