Town boss Kieran McKenna has paid tribute to defender Janoi Donacien, who was at Playford Road for the last time yesterday saying his goodbyes ahead of his move to League Two Chesterfield.
TWTD revealed on Tuesday that the 31-year-old St Lucia international is close to joining the Spireites, who are managed by former Blues boss Paul Cook, on a deal to the end of the season.
Donacien was released by the Blues in the summer after six eventful years at the club having missed most of last season with a groin injury but remained at Town as he worked on getting back to full fitness.
McKenna says the Luton-raised defender, who joined the Blues from Accrington during Paul Hurst’s spell as boss ahead of 2018/19, will be missed by all at Town.
"Janoi said his goodbyes in here yesterday to the group and to the staff and quite emotional really because he’s a fantastic person, is loved by everyone here, loved by the supporters as well,” he said.
"He has a brilliant story at the club really, sort of summarises the highs and the lows from arriving and then having a really difficult first season.
"The resilience that he’s shown then in the more difficult times at the club, to be out on loan twice [back to Accrington and to Fleetwood] but to keep coming back and giving his best.
"And then to come full circle, to get back in the team pretty regularly before I arrived and then he played in my first game and had such a massive part in the promotion from League One.
"He also had a big part to play in the squad last year. Started the season really well at right-back, then unfortunately had injuries throughout the season, so wasn’t able to play as much as we would have liked to have had him play, but had a massive part to play behind the scenes.
"Just a great guy, positive energy, great vibe all the time, really good in the dressing room and has written his place in the history of the football club, like so many others in that group.
"He had his operation in the summer, which is thankfully fixed now, the issue that he missed last season with, so he’s been in a pretty good position health-wise this season.
"Has trained with us for the last few months. Apart from one or two little minor side issues, his fitness has been great, he’s looked good in training and he’s just really keen to go out and get some games now.
"So I think he’s going to go and do that at Chesterfield, hopefully, I believe that’s close to completion, and will be sorely missed around the building.
"But he also leaves with great fondness, great memories and having had a big part to play in the club and I know for a fact, like so many others in the group that he’s been with for the last few years, will always be welcome at the club in the years to come.”