New boss Paul Jewell says the people of Ipswich and Suffolk have given him a great welcome since he took over as manager of Town earlier in the month. The ex-Bradford, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan and Derby boss says the club has a touch of class about it and a really warm feel.
Jewell said: "I have to say the people of Ipswich and Suffolk have been really welcoming, really warm. The club has a really good friendly feel about it, but it always has had that.
"A number of managers have rung me up since I’ve been here and said ‘Great club’. There’s something about Ipswich, it’s got that touch of class about it, it’s got that warmth about it, maybe because it’s so far from everywhere!”
The new manager has, however, encountered one problem: "People have been really friendly, I just can’t understand what they’re saying, although that might be the other way round, I’m not sure!
"Everyone around the club’s been really warm. I know John Wark really well, I played with him at Liverpool, and David Lowe’s a friend of mine. I saw Roger Osborne downstairs.
"Everyone I know who has played here has a lot of feeling for the club, it’s a warm, real family club. A lot of people come here and never move.”
Jewell admits that he hasn’t seen too much of Suffolk as yet as he’s been so busy with the squad at Playford Road: "I’ve only seen the hotel and the training ground. I’m trying to get some accommodation sorted, although the hotel have been great. I’ve been getting back to the hotel late and then up early to get to the training ground.
"I’ve not really had time to catch my breath. I’ve had one drive out to look at a place to live, but other than that I’ve been mad busy.”