Town have announced the retirement of Academy head of recruitment Malcolm Moore. The 65-year-old has worked for the Blues for more than 20 years and helped in the discovery and development of the likes of Darren Bent, Connor Wickham, Owen Garvan, Liam Trotter, Darren Ambrose, Josh Carson and Byron Lawrence amongst many others.
Malcolm told the club site that he now intends to move to the west country closer to his family: "I've enjoyed my time working for this fantastic football club.
"I've had the privilege of working with so many good people in the 20-odd years that I have been at the club, going back to the early days with the Football in the Community scheme through to working for the Academy.
"I've seen young players that I have brought to the club at eight, nine, 10 years of age progress to play for the first team and in some cases go on to play for their country. That's something I am very proud of.
"It is a decision that I have been thinking about for a while and it has not been an easy one. I leave though with so many good memories of my time at Ipswich Town, the young players I have worked with, the staff at the club, the terrific nights in the Youth Cup. I've really enjoyed it and I wish Ipswich Town every success for the future."
Chief executive Simon Clegg paid tribute to Moore’s role in bringing through so many players: "I'd like to thank Malcolm for his loyal service over the last 20 years.
"He has been a valued member of staff at our Academy and played a leading role in searching for and developing the next generation of Ipswich Town players.
"Everyone at Ipswich Town wishes Malcolm the very best for the future and while I understand he is moving to the west country to be closer to his family, he knows we will always have a seat for him at Portman Road should he be in Suffolk on a matchday."