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Entire Squad and Staff Visited Ablett After Opening Day Boro Win
Entire Squad and Staff Visited Ablett After Opening Day Boro Win
Wednesday, 5th Oct 2011 09:10

Former Town coach Gary Ablett has revealed that ex-Blues boss Roy Keane brought the entire squad and staff to see him in hospital after last season’s opening day 3-1 win at Middlesbrough. A few days earlier Ablett had been diagnosed with non-hodgkin lymphoma.

Ablett, who talks about his fight against the illness in the Daily Mail today, said: “Ipswich had been away to Middlesbrough, I had just watched the goals on The Football League Show when I looked up and saw Roy Keane's face pressed up against the window. He asked to come in and said he had brought some of the staff with him.

“Every player and member of staff who had been to Middlesbrough traipsed in and filled up my tiny room. I had a laugh with them when really I just wanted to burst into tears because Roy had brought them all in.

“Roy has been phenomenal with visiting me and it has just been so good to know these people have taken the time to ring you up or check on you - really good friends.”

Former Liverpool and Everton defender Ablett had only joined Keane’s staff a matter of weeks prior to being taken ill.


Photo: Action Images



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Wallingford_Boy added 09:16 - Oct 5
So Ablett has officially "left the club"? All the best in your recovery and it seems Keane does have a sensitive side then..
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Marcus added 09:30 - Oct 5
Respect to Roy Keane for this. I hope Ablett's condition has improved and the news is good. It's a pity he never had a chance to shine at Town.

I guess his contract expired?
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leroy2488 added 09:39 - Oct 5
Very best wishes for your full recovery Gary and thank you Roy for that wonderful gesture, not everyone in this world blows their own trumpet or seeks self praise, you are very clearly a most decent man beneath your visible hard exterior, I am pleased that Gary has exposed this kind and sensitive side of your character.
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irishtim added 09:45 - Oct 5
my dad went through same disease last year and thankfully all is good now after months of treatment. hope gary enjoys the same success and luck
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ThatMuhrenCross added 09:46 - Oct 5
"really good friends"

Roy Keane said he doesn't have friends....
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bluepeter added 10:04 - Oct 5
If only Keano was like that most of the time, he would fare much better with the public. Well done Roy.
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blue1 added 10:04 - Oct 5
Roy Keane an understated man who went around doing what was right quietly and only got the press and comments if it was something someone did not like - boy did Ipswich do him wrong
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collis_itfc added 10:28 - Oct 5
im shocked to find out that roy keane has a heart
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saffronblue added 10:40 - Oct 5
Good to see a side of Roy that has previously been hidden and I think it was a great gesture, as blue1 states he did get the rough end of the press. That said, I still think he took our club backwards from a football perspective.

Good luck to Gary in the future
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petermorris added 10:46 - Oct 5
At least RK got one thing right while he was here.
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WadzillaBhoy added 10:53 - Oct 5
Keano always has been a class act.

Get well soon Gary
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Hunterssecondball added 10:55 - Oct 5
Roy Keane is like many. Only bad press get's prolonged coverage. Good news doesn't sell.
He's confident enough in his own ability and personality not to need the endorsement of the press and small minded to confirm it for him. He could probably do with listening to other's a bit , but hey...whose perfect?
Great gesture, and there's probably much more of that about him than folk's realise.
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broomfield123 added 11:10 - Oct 5
Fair play Roy. It takes more of a man to show his sensative side. Think this gesture has helped boost your rateings here
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Ipswich24 added 11:51 - Oct 5
Well done Roy and the team. And good luck with recovery Gary Ablett
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JewellintheTown added 12:20 - Oct 5
Good on ya Keano. Some n@bheads on here need to give credit where credits due, but just cant seem to do so with that big chip on their shoulders and through those gritted teeth. Yeah, we saw a side some werent happy with but we only saw a tip of an iceberg. About time he got some credit for something. I'm sure there are other managers who get the same rap and no credit, but give it where its due, even if only short lived.
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Garv added 13:20 - Oct 5
Very nice gesture. Do we know if Gary is making progress at all?

One hospital visit though isn't going to make me change my mind and certainly not going to make me think 'he got a rough ride'.
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RetroBlue added 13:38 - Oct 5
It may interest people to know that Roy Keane did a similar thing for an elderly Town fan who used to go and watch the squad train every week. When RK noticed one day the fan wasnt there, he asked the fan's friend where he was . On being told the man was fighting cancer- RK asked for the fans tel no. and address. He later that day rang this fan to se how he was, and then to his home to visit him on several occassions. Naturally this is never reported by the media.

So Im not in least bit suprised by this Ablett story. RK was not the bad man the media would ahve us believe - but that that doesnt sell papers does it !!
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TractorBeezer added 16:14 - Oct 5
I wish you all the best Gary and hope that you recover successfully. Also good to hear a positive Keano story.
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petermorris added 16:40 - Oct 5
Yeah, makes you all warm inside don't it..... just like when RK told a group of little autograph hunters in the Britannia to 'f*ck off'. Ah, the memories.....

God help Nott Forest.
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jas0999 added 17:59 - Oct 5
Great touch. Not sure why people are being negative about this story? It has nothing to do with Roy's reign at the club - which rightly came to an end. It is about someone doing something nice for another person at a time of need. Shame on those who can't recognise that.
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Super_Cooper added 19:59 - Oct 5
@RetroBlue:
Keane sent me a get well letter after he heard that I had had a Kidney Transplant last August. Very nice and appreciated letter it was too, he has got a heart!!
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h32 added 22:49 - Oct 5
Nice one Keano - and every best wish for a full recovery Gary.
Good Luck to you both.
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ClassyCranson added 23:52 - Oct 5
All the very best for the future Gary.



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algarvefan added 00:16 - Oct 6
Must admit I never wanted Keane, wrong man...wrong club. Having said that it please's me to hear Keane did make this great gesture & that he isn't the complete 'eejet' the press make him out to be. Nice one Keaneo!
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ITFC_Budapest added 07:49 - Oct 7
Fair play roy, the guy has a decent side! Shame it never worked out at ipswich, guess he was the victim of expectation.
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