Ex-Arsenal Youngster Joins Academy - Ipswich Town News

Former Arsenal schoolboy James Blanchfield has joined Town’s academy as a first-year scholar.

The highly-rated central midfielder spent time on trial at Manchester United earlier in the year following his Gunners exit, but an injury ended his spell at Old Trafford prematurely.

Essex-based Blanchfield, 16, has been training with the Blues since the start of pre-season and featured in Friday’s friendly at Southwold.

Academy head of recruitment Steve McGavin told TWTD: "James obviously has a very good pedigree coming from Arsenal and is a very good footballer.

"He’s made a good impression since he’s been with us and we’re looking forward to working with him in the future.”

Town’s U18s continue their pre-season programme with a friendly away against West Brom on Wednesday.

What to read next:

Wark Book Pre-Order Deadline Today
The deadline for pre-orders of the new John Wark book He’s Here, He’s There is today.

Akpom: I Always Had My Mind Set on Ipswich
Chuba Akpom has revealed he always wanted to sign for Town this summer despite nearly joining Championship rivals Birmingham City.

U18s at Palace
Town’s U18s face Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ training ground on Saturday afternoon (KO midday).

Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Predictions
Have you predicted the Blades score yet? Seventy six per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 14 per cent a draw and ten per cent an away win. The most commonly predicted result is a 2-1 win to Town with Hirst the first scorer but what do you think?

Gray in New Zealand Squad For U20 World Cup
Blues keeper Henry Gray has been named in the New Zealand squad for the U20 World Cup which gets under way in Chile later this month.

Akpom: Time to Kick On From Now
Town forward Chuba Akpom believes the Blues’ slow start to the season is not a cause for concern ahead of Friday’s match against Sheffield United at Portman Road.

Town Host Table-Propping Blades Targeting First Win
Town host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United live on Sky on Friday evening looking to bring a number of unwanted records to an end (KO 8pm).

[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.

McKenna: I Can See the Thinking Behind Play-Off Expansion Proposal
Town manager Kieran McKenna says he can see the thinking behind the proposal to extend the Championship play-offs to six clubs.

McKenna: International Break Has Been Beneficial
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says the international break has been useful to help some of the recent signings settle in, however, with a number of regular starters away it wasn’t possible to do too much directly working towards Friday’s home game against Sheffield United.