Bring him home... by jasondozzell 19 Dec 2022 18:35
“Even when Kieran McKenna wasn’t playing me I wasn’t sour about it.

“He explained to me that he had three strikers under contract and he needed to take a look at them to assess what he’s got. He told me straight and I completely respected that.

“When Pigs (Joe Pigott), Nors (Norwood) and Jacko (Kayden Jackson) got their chance I was buzzing for them. I wanted them to do well because I wanted Ipswich Town to do well.

“I obviously hoped my chance would come again. I remember coming on at Oxford and giving one of my best performances during that second half of the season. I was a bully, I ruffled feathers. In the 85th minute I charged down their left-back, smashed him right in front of the Town fans and looked up to roar them on. I thought I might get a bit more of a chance after that, but it wasn’t to be.

“I should really be saying ‘I didn’t like him’ and ‘he’s not for me’ about Kieran McKenna, but I can’t because I improved as a player under him, Martyn Pert and Charlie (Turbull). He was really positive and I learned a lot.

“And I’m not just saying that because he’s Town manager and I want to play for Town again!”

Kieran McKenna called me in for a chat the day after that last game against Charlton,” said Bonne.

“We sat down at the training ground with a coffee and had a good chat. He said he likes me, sees me as a hybrid forward that can do a bit of everything and that Ipswich Town is not a closed book.

“We’ve kept in touch.”

He continues: “I went away to Budapest with my mates at the end of the season and I was debating whether to get a Town tattoo.

“I was very close to getting the Town badge or ‘ITFC’, but all the tattoo shops were shut.

“I’m telling you, that love is real!

“I could see the boys looking at me a bit funny when I first started kissing the badge. I get it, I have been at other clubs where players do that and it’s a bit cringey.

“But very quickly I think they realised it was genuine as I bored them with stories about watching Town play Inter and being there on Bobby Robson Day!

“I felt I had so much respect in the town. I’d go out for lunch or a coffee and people would genuinely want to know how I am rather than just being a fan who wanted a picture.

“It reminded me that I’m not just a footballer, but actually a person.

“Feeling that sort of love is something that I always wanted from a club. I found it by coming back to my hometown club.”