x

Leicester Pull Out of Norris Race - Ipswich Town News

Leicester City manager Ian Holloway has decided to give up his attempts to sign players from his former club Plymouth Argyle. The ex-Pilgrims boss recently had bids for Town target David Norris and veteran striker Barry Hayles turned down by the Home Park club.

Current Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock said over the weekend that his club would not sell players to Leicester due to the bad feeling towards Holloway amongst supporter since he left the West Country for the East Midlands.

Now Holloway says he will look elsewhere for new recruits: "I have decided to pull out of the Plymouth scenario because I am very proud of the players I brought there.

"I don't know what's getting about but I don't like it. It is very damaging. I was very proud of the Plymouth fans and I don't want to go and raid their team. I am going to move on and find other targets.

"My chairman talked to their chairman and I didn't like the reaction, so I have put it all to rest and it is time to move on."

Town boss Jim Magilton made an enquiry regarding Norris in the close season and is expected to return for him in January. Southampton, whose current poor financial state appears to rule them out of the race, failed with bids of £700,000 and £1 million for the 26-year-old in the summer.

Crystal Palace are also tipped to make a move in January, while Plymouth chairman Paul Stapleton has said he will offer Norris a new contract in the New Year. The former Bolton, Boston and Hull City man's current deal is up at the end of June 2009.

Norris joined the Pilgrims in December 2002 for £25,000 from Bolton, who as part of that deal will receive 50% of the fee should Plymouth sell the midfielder.

What to read next:

Valencia Linked With Burgess
La Liga Valencia are showing interest in Town centre-half Cameron Burgess, according to Spanish reports.
Hutchinson's England U21s' Euros Campaign Starts Against Czechs
Town forward Omari Hutchinson and his England U21s teammates get their European Championship campaign under way when they face Czechia in Dunajská Streda, Slovakia this evening (KO 8pm, Channel 4).
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
Town Fans Take Total Raised For Food Bank to £20,000
Town supporters donated more than £6,000 to Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks in 2024/25, taking the overall total raised since the group began their monthly matchday collections in January 2023 to £20,000.
International Round-Up
While Town’s club season is now over, the Blues saw six first-team players get minutes for their countries over the last week during the June internationals. Here is a round-up of how they all fared.
Blues Duo Win Caps as Ireland Draw
Dara O’Shea started and Jack Taylor came on as a sub as the Republic of Ireland were held to a disappointing 0-0 friendly draw away against Luxembourg.
Burgess's Australia Confirm World Cup Qualification
Cameron Burgess’s Australia confirmed qualification for the 2026 World Cup by beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final qualifier in Jeddah this evening.
Mauge Signs Pro Deal
Blues youngster Jamie Mauge has signed the professional deal offered to him at the end of the season.
Ex-Blue Kennedy Rejoins Birmingham Staff
Former Town full-back and academy coach Mark Kennedy has returned to Championship new boys Birmingham City as U21s professional phase coach.
Former Blues Striker Knights Named Stourbridge Boss
Former Blues striker Darryl Knights has been named the manager of Southern League Premier Division Central Stourbridge.