x

Hunt Especially Delighted With Debut Win - Ipswich Town News

New Blues signing Stephen Hunt was happier than anyone with Town’s 3-2 win at Blackpool, feeling that he was treated “unfairly” by the Seasiders when he came close to joining them earlier in the season.

Debutant sub Hunt celebrated Daryl Murphy’s late, late winner in style and, speaking in an interview with Irish radio station Newstalk 106 (26mins, 25secs), he explained why: "I was excited going to Blackpool where I was unfairly treated, I wasn’t treated nice by them. That gave me a bigger incentive.

"If anyone has seen the goal celebrations, I was like a raving lunatic when we scored the third goal. I jumped about four or five foot in the air and it was directly pointed at the chairman [Karl Oyston] because he was the main one who didn’t treat me well. I was delighted to get the three points.”

On reflection, the 32-year-old says it was probably a good thing that Tangerines defender Gary MacKenzie headed his goalbound injury time shot over the bar moments before Murphy's winner.

"If that had gone in I would probably have been sent off,” he added. "I’d been booked on the halfway line and my goal celebration would have been something else!”

Having impressed in a trial, Hunt looked set to join Blackpool in September but the deal broke down with manager Paul Ince citing the Ireland international’s wage requirements: "The demands he wanted were just ridiculous for someone who had only played the last 10 games at Wolves.

"Myself and the chairman said we weren't prepared to pay that amount of money for someone who's been injured for quite a while and was coming here to show me his fitness.

"Don't get me wrong, he's a lovely lad and a good kid, but if those demands had been a little bit lower, we'd have done the deal four or five weeks ago."

Hunt, who previously played for boss Mick McCarthy at Molineux, joined Town on a two-month play-to-be-paid deal on Friday.

Photo: ITFC

What to read next:

Former Blues Boss McCarthy Inducted into LMA Hall of Fame
Former Town boss Mick McCarthy was inducted into the LMA Hall of Fame 1000 Club at the 33rd League Managers Association Annual Awards dinner on Tuesday evening.
Town Coach Grant Named Huddersfield Boss
Blues first-team coach Lee Grant has been named the new manager of League One Huddersfield Town.
Town Car Park Planning Application Approved
Ipswich Borough Council’s Planning and Development Committee approved Town’s plans for an 185-space car park behind the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand at a meeting today.
Town Apply For Planning Permission For Further Portman Road Upgrades
Town have applied for planning permission to upgrade further the south-west corner of Portman Road, the area where the tunnel, dressing rooms and reception are situated.
Cajuste Among Nominees for Goal of the Season Award
Town loanee Jens Cajuste may have only scored one goal for the club during his season-long loan from Serie A champions Napoli – but it could yet be the best of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign just ended.
U21s at Leiston in Pre-Season
Town’s U21s will play a pre-season friendly away against Leiston at the Watson & Hillhouse Stadium on Saturday 12th July.
Grant Talks With Huddersfield Ongoing
Talks between Blues first-team coach Lee Grant and Huddersfield Town regarding their management vacancy are ongoing, TWTD understands.
Norwich Target Long-Serving Town Academy Coach Klug
Long-serving Blues academy coach, former assistant boss and three-time caretaker-manager Bryan Klug is being targeted by Norwich City, TWTD understands.
Town XI to Face Lowestoft in Pre-Season
A Town XI will play a pre-season friendly against Lowestoft Town at Crown Meadow on Saturday 5th July (KO 3pm).
Chelsea Strong Favourites to Sign Delap
Chelsea are now the strong favourites to sign Blues striker Liam Delap, TWTD understands.