Skipper David Norris won the Players’ Player of the Year award at last night’s End of Season Dinner at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall. The 30-year-old midfielder, who is Town's top scorer on 11, beat central defender Gareth McAuley by one vote.

Norris and McAuley could both leave the club over the summer as they are yet to sign new contracts. Talks continued with the Blues captain last week with Portsmouth and a number of other clubs - including Wigan who have again been linked today - understood to be interested in signing him on a Bosman deal in the close season. The former Plymouth man wants a three-year contract, while Town were only willing to offer two further seasons.

Norris said he was very pleased to pick up the gong: "It's a great award to win and obviously I'm delighted.

"To get the vote from your fellow players always makes it special."

Manager Paul Jewell says the club have agreed to McAuley’s agent’s terms but the Northern Irishman is yet to put pen to paper with reports over the weekend claiming that the 31-year-old would join SPL giants Rangers at the end of the season.

Last night’s dinner saw midfielder-turned-full-back Carlos Edwards win the John Kerridge Memorial Trophy for the club’s most improved player, while Josh Carson, who won the Dale Roberts Trophy for the Academy Player of the Year at the weekend, picked up the Harold Smith Trophy for the academy's most improved player.

Connor Wickham won the Goal of the Season award for his mazy dribble and then deft finish against Sheffield United and Gareth McAuley won the Customers, Boxholders and Sponsors' Player of the Season.

The evening also saw Town's 1981 UEFA Cup-winning duo Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen hold a question and answer session with Bryan Hamilton, John Wark, Steve McCall and Russell Osman subsequently joining them.

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 17:09 - May 4 Jimbaxter - if you think we don't have a decent manager now? if not you know very little. Pj has failed before but not all of it was his fault. Give him a happy board of directors and he will deliver happy supporters.
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robdaful added 17:29 - May 4 He'll be off.
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fourth added 18:00 - May 4 Well it rather looks that we are to lose most of the heart of the team. Perhaps this is a great opportunity. We now need a little bit of humility and learn from the amazing NCFC run. Low spending, a vision for potential, building a TEAM, SIMPLE, DIRECT football, building confidence. And young Jewell needs to lose 2 stone. Bring back Jimmy Leadbetter and Ted Phillips. (No I don't mean that, but they WERE the link to the Robson era)

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RegencyBlue added 18:24 - May 4 Has never been worth the £2.2 million we paid for him. Average Championship player - nothing more, nothing less!
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stiffy501 added 18:59 - May 4 Rumour has it he's off to Wigan !!
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bluelady added 19:05 - May 4 lightening i think Edwards will be our rightback, Jewell clearly rates him and to be honest i think other positions are more urgent i.e strikers (2), midfield (2 if Norris off and Bullard not coming back) and at least one Centre Back thats five already and possibly a goal keeper if Fullop goes....... I think with pre season under his belt Edwards will be ok next year.
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jas0999 added 19:16 - May 4 A good selection. This is about the season - not three months. Norris and McAuley have been the most consistent. What a shame that thanks to mis-management both McAuley and Norris are unlikely to be with us next year.
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broomfield123 added 19:32 - May 4 not at all bothered. norris and maculey wont be here next season
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 20:46 - May 4 The fact that so many posters can find negatives from this story just beggars belief. bluebare and JimBaxter (to name but two) are clearly from another planet!
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Johnny_Boy added 21:23 - May 4 Classic. We all know most of our so called fans wouldn't know a good player if they saw one. At least the other players can see what a loss he'd be if he goes.....
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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:32 - May 4 JimBaxter. Give the man a bloody chance old son. Fourth. You are so right about the budgies. Although i can,t stand anything of a green & yellow hue, we can learn a great deal from their consecutive promotions
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DiamondGezzer added 08:11 - May 5 Still harbouring a small hope that Mac and Chuck will stay, although I 've got to say, if I were either and reading some of these quotes from ' loyal ' fans, I'd bugger off too !
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HolbrookBlue added 09:35 - May 5 DiamondGezzer - you raise a good point in that players must read these pages as well. They have plenty of time between training / matches etc. and must be keen to know what is being said about the club. So, how many players have been put off coming to Ipswich by negative fan reaction? Think of Austin in January? Whilst Norris is not a personal favourite of mine, I have appreciated his commitment and work rate whenever he has played. The squad will be stronger if he stays. If he goes (and some postings on this board will not encourage him to stay) I wish him well.

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HolbrookBlue added 09:41 - May 5 Evening Star now headlining that Norris leaving Ipswich in summer on Bosman.
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Legend added 09:46 - May 5 Norris is leaving. Clegg left it too late to sign these players up. What chance have we got of signing anyone decent with that muppet in charge of contracts!!
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s6blue added 09:53 - May 5 yep norris a goner -- tks for all your efforts boy
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BlueStu78 added 09:54 - May 5 s6blue - u said it all mate
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Legend added 10:00 - May 5 I believe he wanted to stay and have a three year contract but the club only offered him a two year deal. Can't Blame Chuck for leaving as at 30 years old he next contract will probably be his last so he was just looking after his family for the future. Good luck Chuck!
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hollywoodginge added 10:25 - May 5 just confirmed on eveningstar he is going
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Butchered added 10:41 - May 5 The players player of the year award is the gong all players want, just proves how important he is to the team. A lot of negative comments posted here about Norris but all teams need a work horse along with the more creative players, they go hand in hand, and he scores goals, 11 from midfield is an excellent return ...... I for one would love to see him stay, if he doesn't we need to replace like for like!!

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