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Noel Hunt: Stephen Stopped Me Hitting Abusive Fan - Ipswich Town News

Striker Noel Hunt has admitted that he came close to hitting an abusive Norwich supporter during the pitch invasion which followed the final whistle after the Blues’ play-off defeat at Carrow Road on Saturday. The 32-year-old says he was dragged away at the vital moment by his brother Stephen.

Writing in his column for BeanBagSports, Hunt, who came off the bench late on in the game, said a fan who had been throwing abuse at him while he was warming up approached him on the pitch after the match: "As I walked across to applaud our fans I could hear him on the pitch shouting behind me. I thought, just give me one chance. I then thought, no, leave it.

"I walked over to our fans who have been superb throughout the season. We owed it to the fans to applaud them and I threw my shirt into them.

"As I turned around, that guy was there. He was wanting to square up to me and I thought right, just hit him, just hit him as hard as you can.

"As I go to flinch, a hand grabs me. It’s Stephen. He says just leave it. I don’t even know where he came from. That would have been the worst thing I could have ever done. Stephen stopping me was the right thing to do.”

Reflecting on the Blues’ play-off defeat, Hunt, who along with his brother is yet to be offered new terms by Town, added: "I’ve just felt empty since the final whistle and still do.

"This club for me ticks all the boxes as did Reading, it’s something that doesn't come around that often so when it does you need to take full advantage of.

"I will have a break for a few weeks and see what options are around. Hopefully I'll see the boys again, if not it will be onto the next chapter!”

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