Former Blues midfielder Flynn Downes says Town fans don’t know the full story of his departure in the summer of 2021 when he made a £1.4 million move to Swansea City.

Academy product Downes made his first competitive return to Portman Road with Southampton on Monday and was booed by some of his old supporters during the Blues’ dramatic last-gasp 3-2 victory over the Saints, with whom the 25-year-old is spending the season on loan from West Ham.

Downes was among the players made to train with the U23s during pre-season ahead of 2021/22 as manager Paul Cook sought to make it clear who he wanted to remain part of his squad as he cleared the decks in his famous ‘demolition man’ summer.

“The fans have absolutely no idea,” Downes told BBC Radio Solent when asked about the booing.

“The manager didn't want me at the time I left, he put me with the U23s team, what did they want me to do?”

The 25-year-old added: “It does wind me up a little bit, the fans don't know the full story of what happened at Ipswich.

“They got sell-on fees after I left [when he joined West Ham from Swansea in 2022 for £9 million, understood to be 20 per cent of profit] and money for my sale. It is what it is though, fans are fans.”

Downes admitted he was still recovering from Monday’s defeat to his old club, a result which almost certainly ended his current loan side’s hopes of winning automatic promotion.

“I find it hard to get over tough results,” the Brentwood-born schemer admitted.

“I'm still recovering to be honest, it takes me a good few days mentally to put it to bed.”

Southampton face an improving Blackburn Rovers side at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Photo: Matchday Images

MK1 added 16:40 - Apr 5 The manager didn't want you, that is all I need to know. Your antics the other night were laughable. Luckily for us, Morsey was to smart to fall for them. You are a good player, but we have moved on. May I say that I suggest you concentrate on your own career and let us marvel at our new boys march towards the Premier League.
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terryf added 16:42 - Apr 5 I think most supporters felt that from his body language Downes wanted away, which was probably picked up by Cook. I seem to remember towards the end of his time at Town that he was running around like a headless chicken and lucky not to receive a red card. Sad really for someone who'd come up through the ranks with Woolfie because I feel that under McKenna he would have flourished and enjoyed his football again.

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Marshalls_Mullet added 16:47 - Apr 5 Theres a lot of talk about Cook, but Downes handed in a transfer request under Lambert, so he'd been wanting out for a long time.
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pennblue added 16:50 - Apr 5 No hard feelings towards Flynn. Of course we all wanted him to stay, he was one of our best players. But, it is a short career, and he had/has a bright future in the game. I thought he was top drawer last week. Would welcome him back, and as everyone says, he would do wonders under our management.
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Jugsy added 16:54 - Apr 5 I think it's one of the failings of football fans to boo someone like Flynn Downes. One of the most passionate of players at a time of really challenges for the club, if McKenna had his hands on him I can only imagine how good he'd be. To now contradict myself, I did find his play acting and antics frustrating but he's at another club now and if he was doing it for us, I'd have enjoyed it.

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Radlett_blue added 17:03 - Apr 5 Town fans generally used to treat former players with respect, but I remember some of our fans booing Chris Kiwomya when we played at QPR years ago for some unfathomable reason & he rightly repaid them by scoring in a 3-1 QPR win. This trend seems to have continued.
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Europablue added 17:04 - Apr 5 Jugsy If he was molded by a top coach like KM, then he wouldn't have to resort to such antics.
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LuciBlue added 17:06 - Apr 5 £9M !!
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muhrensleftfoot added 17:10 - Apr 5 Would be a good replacement for Morsy in a couple of years.
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Nutkins_Return added 17:18 - Apr 5 Wears his heart on his sleeve. His head was turned by Palace and a prem opportunity. There is no shame in that. Yes he took a bit of time to get his head right again but I don't doubt Downes integrity. I think it was a scenario that was best for all parties. I'd absolutely have Downes back. It sounds like he may not be willing. As fans we can choose to be bitter or not. For me I don't see much issue and it worked for all parties. Downes should understand the scenario for what it was and that we needed to move in a new direction as a football club and he probably needed to move on himself for his progression and head space at the time.

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ChestnutSe added 17:44 - Apr 5 He was there best player and linked everything up for them. When he was in our squad and didn’t play we usually failed to win. Would be a good addition if we get to the Premier league I think
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tractor_lady added 17:52 - Apr 5 I think you will find Flynn it had nothing to do with you leaving and more to do with your play acting and desperate attempts to get Morsy sent off….. poor by you, and a shame because in general play you were fantastic, if you want to be recognised for that drop the stupidness please !
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Linkboy13 added 17:59 - Apr 5 As much as i don't like the attitude of the player he's a very good player at championship level and along with Wolfenden the last decent player we have produced through our under achieving academy.
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tetchris added 18:09 - Apr 5 Spent most of the game play acting trying to get players sent off that’s why he was booed.
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MaySixth added 18:09 - Apr 5 He bossed the game for 60 minutes. Booing him was embarassing.
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SpiritOfJohn added 18:29 - Apr 5 Like most of the Saints he played well for 60 minutes, although he expended too much energy trying to get Morsy sent off. After the hour mark, Morsy took control and it was business as usual.
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essexccc added 18:40 - Apr 5 “Fans are fans” says Flynn. Stating the obvious. Equally obvious players are players. And of course one pays the wages of the other and so a negative feeling towards someone who is perceived as not wanting to play for those paying his wages is entirely understandable. Add to that the usual winding up of Sammy Morsy by the opposition, principally, on Monday, by Flynn Downes, and there are strong grounds for “boos”. Personally I wasn’t particularly worried by his leaving as we’ve financed quite a few purchases with the money, but his attempts to get Sammy sent off were pathetic. I didn’t boo him but fully understand anyone who did. Of course, if he came back, I’d welcome him with open arms because I support anyone who plays for my club and because fans are fans.

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Saxonblue74 added 18:49 - Apr 5 Exactly the kind of player we need to avoid when/if we move forward further. An attitude and ego to upset the apple cart.
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Bert added 18:54 - Apr 5 Very few boos if Ii I am correct. Very surprised he made it to the PL but if he wasn’t wanted here then he undoubtedly has done well. Thought he looked a decent player fior Saints and I wish him well.
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Skip73 added 19:12 - Apr 5 I wouldn't want him back. In his own words he says he doesnt respond well to bad results and takes a few days to get over it. We have mentally strong players now who bounce back easily. We don't need players who dwell on serbacks
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ArnieM added 19:17 - Apr 5 He’s a whinging little gobshyte who has no right to be even shown wearing a Town shirt. He’s so far removed from the ethos of this Club, that he shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence as ITFC. I hated him when he was here, and I hate him even more now. He’s a gobshyte off the pitch as well. I’ve absolutely no time for him and Paul Cook rightfully marked his card.

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Marinersnose added 19:20 - Apr 5 Football fans who support Ipswich will appreciate that Downes is a quality player who ran the show in the first half for Southampton. He is a quicker younger Morsy in the making who was young and naïve and probably I’ll advised when he left. Clown Cook wanted his team and Downes is likely to have said his bit to the Scouser. I wouldn’t lower myself to boo a player who was arguably one of our best if not the best player at that time

1

cressi added 19:45 - Apr 5 I actually have No issue with the booing and if that affected his performance against us great his playing against us not for us. We have to remember he wanted out before Cook arrived threw his toys out the pram would I want him back no is probably my answer like having a ex wife back although I would support him if he did end up back here although unlikely. I feel there other options out there .

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BeattiesBackPocket added 20:03 - Apr 5 As much as he went with my blessing he did put in about 3 transfer requests THEN was put in the under 23’s. Even that was forgiven as we got quite a bit of money for him and players move on but for me the reason he got booed was because he sole purpose was to kick, push, pull and wind up Morsy all game!! Shothousery at its best Robbie savage style. Even at one point fouled morsy laid on him and pulled him back down and wouldn’t let him back up when we were on an attack.

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BurleysGloryDays added 00:26 - Apr 6 Not the brightest button. poor fan engagement. He’s a good footballer, but was part of a toxic era we’ve left behind. It’s a sad story but he’s enjoyed his paydays im sure - and joined a club he loves, even if they’ve loaned him out. His negative comments still speak volumes to me, even now. If he was smarter he’d just speak about his care for the club and wish us all the best. Compare this to how our players talk now. None of this nonsense. It wouldn’t cut muster with KMK.

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