SEB: Good to Be Here at Last - Ipswich Town News
Ipswich new boy Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has revealed he was once rejected by the club.
The former Wolves striker, reunited this week with boss Mick McCarthy, was just 14 at the time.
He explained: "I was at Cambridge United and they said I wasn’t good enough for Ipswich. After that I signed for Manchester United but it’s good to get here at last.”
Ebanks-Blake said it was former Town academy recruitment officer Malcolm Moore who rejected him.
But the player, who left Old Trafford for Plymouth and was signed by McCarthy for £1.5 million in 2008, is keen to make up for lost time.
He added: "It wasn’t about money. Mick is the best manager I’ve ever had and he was at the front of the queue to sign me.
"I need to get match fit and the only way I will do that is by playing matches.”
Ebanks-Blake suffered a broken leg and ankle ligament damage in April, a major factor in Wolves’ relegation to League One.
But he confirmed: "I’m ready to get going. Wolves were brilliant in the way they looked after my rehabilitation.
"Mick was constantly in touch to see how I was getting on and that counted for a lot with me.
"I was training with the Wolves reserves for about four weeks and I’ve had a week here.
"It is good to see some familiar faces, like my former Wolves team-mates Stephen Hunt and Christophe Berra, but all the lads have been great.
"It is a tight-knit squad and we are in a great position in the Championship. I am looking forward to helping them get even better.”
Photo: ITFC
What to read next:
Birmingham Make Last-Gasp New Approach For AkpomBirmingham City reportedly still haven’t given up hope of signing Ajax forward Chuba Akpom, despite the 29-year-old having been in Suffolk to undergo a medical ahead of a loan move this evening.
Cajuste Set For Town ReturnJens Cajuste is set to travel to back to England to undergo a medical at Town having agreed to return to the Blues for a second season on loan, according to a report in Italy.
Akpom Travelling to Town For MedicalAjax forward Chuba Akpom is travelling to Town for a medical, the Blues having agreed a season-long loan deal with the Dutch giants earlier this afternoon, gazumping Friday’s opponents Birmingham City, who were closing in on signing the 29-year-old.
Palmer: We Have to Relish Favourites TagAlex Palmer says he is relishing the tag of being Championship title favourites ahead of the Town’s second-tier season getting underway against Birmingham City next Friday.
Town Agree Akpom Terms With AjaxTown are reported to have agreed a deal with Ajax to sign Chuba Akpom on loan with an option to buy should the Blues win promotion to the Premier League.
Wark Joined By Burley at Portman Road Event to Launch BookThe launch of the new John Wark book
He’s Here, He’s There is being celebrated with a prestigious event starring Wark himself and his Town and Scotland teammate George Burley in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Portman Road on Thursday 2nd October.