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Coach Smith Sacked - Ipswich Town News

Academy assistant director Ian Smith has been sacked by the club, apparently after an incident which occurred at last season's U18 Claudio Sassi Memorial Tournament in Italy.

A Town statement reads: "Former academy coach Ian Smith left the club's employment on April 30th, 2004, by mutual agreement. The club has no further comment on this matter."

As TWTD reported last month, former coach Paul Goddard is expected to rejoin the staff, a move believed to be unconnected with Smith's departure.

Goddard is understood to be coming in initially on a part-time basis and is expected to be named the coach of one of the senior academy sides.

This season the FA Premier Academy Leagues have switched age groups to U16 and U18 from U17 and U19. Last season the Blues fielded only one side due to the reduced size of the senior squad and in readiness for the age group change.

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