Town have agreed to cancel keeper Shane Supple’s contract at the player’s request as he looks to pursue a career away from football. The 22-year-old says his heart is no longer in the game and he will be returning to Ireland to consider his future.

The Republic of Ireland U21 cap told the club site: "It's something that I have been thinking about for a long while.

"It's obviously a big decision but I feel that playing professional football is not something I want to continue doing as a career. There is no one reason why I have made my decision, there are a number of factors, but deep down my heart is not in the game any more and I'm not going to go into work every day trying to convince myself that it is, so it's the right time for me to walk away.

"I suppose you could say that I have fallen out of love with the game and when then happens, I've always said to myself that I wouldn't hang around. All I wanted to do when I was younger was play in the Premier League, but as you grow up you realise that there are other things in life and, to be honest, the game is not what I thought it was.

"I want to thank the manager for the support he has given me. He was a bit shocked when I told him and I expected that but he understood my reasons. He's been first class. People probably think I'm crazy but I'm not going to stay in the game for anyone else, I'm making this decision for myself.

"I've worked with some great people in my time at Ipswich Town and had some great times at the club. It's a fantastic football club and I'll continue to follow Ipswich's fortunes. The supporters have been brilliant as well and always backed me and I want to thank them for that wonderful support.

"This is the right decision for me now. I'm going back to Ireland to spend time with my family and look at my options but they won't be in football."

Chief executive Simon Clegg thanked Supple for his contribution while with Town: "On behalf of the club I would like to put on record our thanks to Shane for his commitment to Ipswich Town both on and off the pitch in his six years at Portman Road.

"It's obviously disappointing news for us but we respect Shane's reasons for wanting a career change and we wish him every success for the future."

Supple joined the academy at 15, spending the final year of his schooling at Playford Road and was a member of the 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning side, picking up the man of the match award in the second leg of the final against Southampton.

A keen hurler and Gaelic footballer, Supple, who signed a new one-year contract this summer, made 36 starts and two sub appearances for the Blues, in addition to loan spells at Falkirk and Oldham. The Carling Cup tie at Shrewsbury a week ago was his final game.

Town are already close to adding another keeper to their squad with TWTD revealing that Bohemian stopper Brian Murphy would be on his way to Portman Road when the Irish season ends in November.

The announcement of Supple’s shock exit may suggest that Murphy’s recruitment has been moved forward or that another keeper could be coming in on loan between now and January when Murphy would be able to play if he signs in November as had been planned.

The Blues only other keeper at present is youngster Ian McLoughlin, who could make his senior debut at Peterborough next week if no other keeper is signed by then.

Photo: Action Images

motch2009 added 10:06 - Aug 20 gutted - bright young prospect. shame to waste what could have been a good career. i remember garvan considering this once
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lukeym18 added 10:07 - Aug 20 big big loss he was a good keeper
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Plumbers_Crack added 10:09 - Aug 20 Had this with my sport so I understand his feelings. Good luck with whatever you feel led to do Shane and thanks for all you've done for us
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bluelad7 added 10:09 - Aug 20 Good Luck to you Shane. Proves that it's not always about money to footballers.
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dboyips added 10:11 - Aug 20 Absolutely gutted for the lad .I can understand him losing passion for game the way he has been treated. he was not picked at all when Wrighty was having a nightmare,so from that he probably new he had no future here. Iam sure i speak on behalf of all town fans and wish him all the very best in his future outside the game .Thanks for everything you have been a star.
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dalinghooblue added 10:11 - Aug 20 A great shame, but you have to admire him for taking such a big decision. Hope he finds what he is looking for. Good luck, Shane
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lauraj added 10:13 - Aug 20 I am absoulutely shocked. you are a good goalkeeper. good luck in whatever you do next. you have always been very patient and kind to fans. Thankyou for your service to club.
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bedsitfc added 10:18 - Aug 20 good luck for your future. top class keeper
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Notts_tractor added 10:20 - Aug 20 A very sad loss to the game, but total respect for his decision - if your heart isn't in something, there's no point in continuing. At least we'll have a great memory from his ITFC career - the terrific performance in the FA Youth Cup Final '05, particularly the incredible double save near the end. Good luck Shane.
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Johnny_Boy added 10:21 - Aug 20 Wow. I didn't see that coming. Hope he finds what he's looking for somewhere else...
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Bluecynic added 10:21 - Aug 20 Very sorry to hear the news but all credit to Shane for having the guts to make this decision. Thanks for all you have done and good luck in the future.
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dobbie73 added 10:24 - Aug 20 Shocked! But if he no longer gets the buzz from his chosen career, then he needs to look at another path and I respect him for that. Good luck and thank you Shane, and hope you find what you are looking for.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 10:25 - Aug 20 Wow what a shocker! Good luck Shane in all you do in the future.
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ITFCHollywoodGT added 10:26 - Aug 20 He'll probably end up a postman! Ian McLoughlin's profile says he's 39 and that he signed his contract on the date of his birth - think we need a younger keeper in!
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bluesnightorg added 10:26 - Aug 20 Good choice Shane. There's definitely more to life than football. Let me know what it is.
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bleedblue added 10:26 - Aug 20 What a massive loss - he was dubbed the next Given for a reason - can't see how anyone can fall out of love with the game, but then, I want to change my job/career all the time so im sure everybody understands how he feels. Good luck Shane, all the best, you will be missed! Who do we get in now then? Price return?
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dubblue added 10:27 - Aug 20 Will be a big loss. Had lot's of potential not just for Ipswich but as a long term replacement for Shay Given. Just hope that he was given time to reflect on his decision, Owen Garavan was likewise reportedly disenchanted for a while. Hope you enjoy's his future wherever that may be. I see Brian Murphy saved a penalty and scored a penalty for Bohemians in an FAI Cup match earlier this week.

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multipulemicky added 10:28 - Aug 20 Good luck Shane im gutted for when ever ive seen you in goal i always thought you were the bollox!! Infact id rather see you in goal than Plug anyday!!
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el_nino added 10:28 - Aug 20 Woooahhh. That is a shock I must admit.....He's been very brave in making that decision when most people would stick it out. In my opinion he's made a terrible decision, and I may get slated for saying that, but he's unlikely to make that sort of money doing anything else, and how many people can actually say that they love, or even like, their jobs? Hopefully he goes on to have a good career doing something that he really likes, and doesn't come to regret this decision in time..... Good luck to him though.

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dandanitfc87 added 10:29 - Aug 20 he will be back playing for a league 1 club wasn't getting games here i will happily take his place
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ITFCson added 10:32 - Aug 20 Wow, quite amazing news. Full credit to him though, despite his lack of desire to continue he could of taken the easy choice to have a comfortable lifestyle and a decent wage each week for the next 15years. Good luck Shane.
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bristolblue added 10:33 - Aug 20 jesus tits!
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mwhitfc added 10:36 - Aug 20 I was very shocked to hear the news, but like everyone else has said, I can totally understand. Why he wasn't given a chance when Richard Wright was having a bad patch, I don't know, but he has always been a very good goalkeeper. Good luck Shane, thanks for your contribution to the club, all the best for whatever you choose to do with yourself!
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roytheboy added 10:36 - Aug 20 Very very good luck and best wishes Shane, you've never really had a good chance with the first team, that is always going to be a problem for a club's second choice Goalkeeper, however, you always served us well & showed the potential of becoming top class, it was always going to be difficult with Richard Wright available though, I sincerely hope that you find true happiness and success in your new career.

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PurgamentumIneo added 10:37 - Aug 20 Can we swap jobs then? What a waste. Every young persons dream and to throw it away for what... To be honest he had enough time & income on his hands to pursue non-football activities and in 10/12 years time he will have his whole life to pursue these projects even further. Its your life Shane but I know what I would have done... Good luck though
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