Bartosz Bialkowski has spoken of his shock at being named Supporters’ Player of the Year — despite making just 16 Championship starts this season.
The Town keeper has endured a stop-start campaign, beginning as Mick McCarthy’s number one before going five months without a single appearance in the Championship.
But following Dean Gerken’s shoulder injury, Bialkowski returned in goal for the 2-1 home win against Reading at the start of February — and hasn’t looked back since.
After picking up two Player of the Month awards, Bialkowski capped a fantastic second half of the season with the Supporters’ Player of the Year and Junior Blues Player of the Year trophies.
He said: "It means a lot to me. To be honest, I was shocked — I didn’t expect it. It is a massive honour to me, especially after the season I have had.
"Just playing 16 games and coming into the team after a long break, I didn’t expect that. It wasn’t easy but I stepped up and played a part.”
Bialkowski initially lost his place in August to Gerken following the death of his father Marek.
After returning to Poland on bereavement leave, Gerken’s good form meant a long spell on the sidelines.
He said: "After my Dad died, I was a bit down. But I was just patient and kept working hard and I am just glad it has all paid off. The Town fans were massively supportive. I kept getting tweets of support and I am so grateful.
"I am sure he is proud and he is watching me from up there. I know he is with me all the time. I said to my wife the other day I literally feel my Dad is with me in the games.”
With daunting trips to promotion-chasing Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and Derby County to come, Bialkowski will have to remain at his best for Ipswich to have any chance of an unlikely final tilt at the top six.
Reflecting on his recent form, he picked out the save against Bristol City as his best of the season.
He explained: "Obviously Huddersfield away was a really good game for all of us, when we managed to beat them 1-0.
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"But I was pleased with the Bristol City save. It took a deflection and I didn’t see the ball until the last split-second and I managed to tip the ball over bar.”
When it was mentioned that it was comparable to Gordon Banks’s legendary save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup, Bialkowski added: "To be fair, a few years ago I made a similar save and that was compared to Gordon Banks as well. It’s nice to have a couple of ‘Gordon Banks’ saves’ under my belt.”