x

Forde Focus - Ipswich Town News

Town are continuing their pursuit of Millwall’s Irish international keeper David Forde, TWTD understands. The 33-year-old was first mentioned in connection with the Blues in the Irish press last week when Hull City and Blackburn were also linked.

The newly-promoted Tigers were then said to be the favourites for Forde’s signature but are now understood to have turned their attention towards Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel with former Rangers man Allan McGregor, who is currently in Turkey with Besiktas, targeted as his back-up.

New Millwall manager Steve Lomas recently said that he wants to keep hold of Forde, but if he does move on insisted that it won’t be for peanuts: "David has a year left [on his contract] and we'd certainly like to keep him for the foreseeable future.

"But there are a few players with a year left and that's a challenge for me, to sit down and prove to them that Millwall are going in the right direction. It certainly would have to be a hell of a bid for us to even contemplate getting rid of David Forde."

The Blues would almost certainly be put out of the running if the Lions do demand a significant fee with Mick McCarthy on a tight budget this summer.

We understand that former loanee Stephen Henderson also remains high on McCarthy’s list of potential summer signings with the Blues having spoken to West Ham about a season-long loan. However, the Town boss may want to explore potential permanent additions, such as Forde, before committing to bringing Henderson back for a third loan spell.

Out-of-contract Tranmere keeper Owain Fon Williams is understood to have been offered terms by Town, along with his current club, Blackpool and Bristol City.

Scott Loach is Town’s only senior keeper at present with Arran Lee-Barrett and Jason Brown having been released at the end of the season.

Forde started his career in the League of Ireland with his hometown club Galway United before moving on to Welsh side Barry Town and then West Ham in 2002.

After two years at Upton Park, in which he spent time on loan at Derry City and Barnet but failed to make a senior appearance for the Hammers, the 6ft 2in tall keeper moved back to Galway before another spell with Derry.

Forde made a handful of appearances back in the Football League with Cardiff City between 2006 to 2008, during which time he had stints on loan at Luton and Bournemouth.

In June 2008 he moved to Millwall on a free transfer and since then has made 237 starts for the Lions.

Over the last couple of seasons he has cemented his place in the full Ireland squad and has now won 10 full caps, including starts in three of their last four games.

What to read next:

Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.
Blues Beaten By Hammers in Behind Closed Doors Friendlies
Town played two 60-minute behind-closed-doors friendlies with West Ham United at their Rush Green training ground this afternoon.
Halajko New Director of Football Operations, Chenery Appointed Academy Manager
Dmitri Halajko, previously Town’s academy director, has been appointed the new director of football operations, TWTD having revealed Gary Probert’s departure for a job at Liverpool a fortnight ago, while Ben Chenery has been named academy manager.
Town Women Sign Striker Dean
Ipswich Town Women have signed striker Rianna Dean following her Southampton exit at the end of last season.
Chaplin: Opener at Birmingham One to Look Forward To
Ipswich Town’s season opener against Birmingham City is a clash that the whole squad are looking forward to, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Fourteen Sign Contracts Ahead of WSL2 Campaign
Town have confirmed that 14 players have signed new contracts with the women’s side for the WSL2 season ahead.
U21s in Action at Needham
Town’s U21s are in friendly action against Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market at Bloomfields this evening (KO 7.45pm).
Town Women to Host Villa U21s in Friendly
Ipswich Town Women will play a friendly against WSL side Aston Villa’s U21s at the Martello Ground in Felixstowe on Sunday 17th August (KO 2pm).
Town Yet to Open Young Talks
TWTD understands Town are yet to open talks with veteran former England international Ashley Young, but there is interest.