Town manager Paul Jewell says former skipper David Norris only left the Blues because of the “fantastic” contract offer he received from tonight’s opponents Portsmouth. Pompey offered the midfielder a three-year deal on improved terms, the former Plymouth man having turned down the Blues’ contract extension of two years.

Jewell said: “Chuck wanted to stay but he got such a fantastic offer from Portsmouth. I remember he came to my office and told me he didn’t really want to leave Ipswich

“He got offered a three-year contract that we didn’t match, or wouldn’t match or couldn’t match, and he said he couldn’t really turn it down. I fully agreed with him.

“I don’t think any supporter could ever accuse David Norris of not giving his best. He put in 100% in every game and every training session — a complete model professional, one of the best pros I’ve worked with, a terrific lad.

“But this is a job and he got an unbelievable offer from Portsmouth that he felt — and I think we would all agree — that he had to take.

“That’s life and right to the last game he played for us he always gave everything. He's a terrific player, a terrific pro. Our crowd clap everybody, so they’ll definitely welcome Chuck back, I’m sure."

It wasn’t just the length of the contract which led to Norris’s exit but the salary on offer at Fratton Park: “I think it was both really, the whole package,” Jewell said. “I don’t know the exact figures but I remember he sat in my office and telling me he’d had an offer from Portsmouth.

“I think he was settled in the area here but he’s 30 and the contract takes him to 33 and will probably secure him, and more importantly, his family.

“I had no issue with that because at the end of the day, it was our fault that for whatever reason we let go so long. It might well happen again this season, I don’t know. “

Since Norris’s exit the quartet of Jimmy Bullard, Keith Andrews, Lee Bowyer and Grant Leadbitter have established themselves as the Blues’ engine room but Jewell wouldn’t be drawn on whether his former captain would get into the current Town side: “I don’t know. I only want to talk about our players really. I’ve said what I want to about Chuck.

"Our midfield is doing well at the moment but it’s not for me to talk about other team’s players, that’s not what I’m going to do.”

While Norris is facing Town for the first time as a Portsmouth player, Ibrahima Sonko is up against Pompey, the side with whom he was on loan from Stoke last season but who decided against signing the Senegalese international in the summer.

Jewell says managers don’t always agree on players: “If every manager fancied the same players, no one would sell anyone or buy anyone. We all see players differently. We all see things our own way.

“Sonks is almost fell into our lap really. He was training at Portsmouth, then he was training at Reading. Then we had a centre-half problem and he came and he’s filled the gap very, very well. He’s been a good player for us.”

Photo: Action Images

roytheboy added 08:38 - Oct 18 Very well put I think.
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ipsuefa added 08:43 - Oct 18 Totally agree. Shame on anyone that boo's such a professional tonight. If any of you had such a offer to set you and your family for life you'd probably take it too. Also if he's never of gone either Bullard or Andrews would not be at our club so it's been a good deal for everyone.
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eaii added 08:49 - Oct 18 I am not going tonight so I cant boo but if I was going I would boo the lary little spud, cr.p whilst playing here and now he has gone we are better simple's.
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Kev_b22 added 08:55 - Oct 18 Eaii - So thats reason enough to boo someone is it? Because things didnt quite work out...? The fact that keane played the wrong formation and postions for him... Feel free not to aplaud him, but there is no reason to boo. He put a shift in for this club while he was here and did show passion for the shirt... H
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saffronblue added 09:06 - Oct 18 Kev, totally agree he gave 100% for the club, would probably prefer to have him here and ship out Leadbetter. Should be applauded tonight.
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FrimleyBlue added 09:10 - Oct 18 Oh bull sht Footballer for how many years now? earns a damn sit more than we do on a yearly basis, the guy didn't NEED three years with improved terms, he WANTED it.
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Suffolk_n_Proud added 09:32 - Oct 18 I really hope he is not booed, was one of our better players in the past poor seasons. ITFC fans are supporters and should never boo, we support ipswich no matter what, through good times and bad!
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brogansnose added 09:40 - Oct 18 Would like to know how P'mouth can afford to make fantastic offers and I don't agree with booing him. He wasnt the greatest player to wear a Town shirt but things worked out best all round for both parties. I'd like to think we are better than that.
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PunchNoHopers added 09:42 - Oct 18 Well no one forced him to go, he could have stayed. Just another money grabbing footballer, I'm afraid. Don't think he'll get booed tonight, but hope he doesn't score.
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sotd78 added 09:42 - Oct 18 You won't be booing tonight when he puts his body on the line; charges down full blooded clearances, and generally gets stuck in. No you'll be wincing and hoping he doesn't do our "fragiles#2 any damage. 100% player was/is Norris and we failed to retain him. Not his fault. I'll applaud and hope he's played in the wrong position, and someone forgets to remind him that he's not playing for the team in blue!

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CornardBlue added 09:55 - Oct 18 Would never boo an ex Town player, but agree with Brogan where did Portsmouth get this sort of money from.
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blue1 added 10:36 - Oct 18 He got a better offer elsewhere but that's OK - however it's not OK for Lavery make your mind up it either is or it is not ok to take a better job offer - how many of us in the real world would turn down better terms and secure our future especially in the current climate.
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big_gaz67 added 10:41 - Oct 18 Norris as a plater for Town I applaud. Norris as the idiot who celebrated a goal with that mobile phone signal should have had his contract terminated immediately for gross misconduct (as should have Edwards last week!). So probably I won't applaud but I won't boo!.
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StowTractorBoy added 10:46 - Oct 18 I personally don't believe PJ wanted to keep him and has now got the midfield he wanted. I won't boo Norris because he did give 100% for us.
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irishtim added 10:50 - Oct 18 hope he gets decent reception plays poorly & we thump them everyone happy then i reckon
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shaunminx added 11:20 - Oct 18 Left for a fantastic offer from a mediocre club who'll probably struggle instead of staying at a club that's challenging! Yep real ambition to better yourself Norris!
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Sparky85 added 11:38 - Oct 18 Took the best offer for him and his family, anyone in the same position would do the same unless you were playing for the club you support. Agree that he wasnt the best player but did put shifts in for us when leadbitter lost the ability to go past the half way line (apart to take to odd penalty and poor set piece). He did the right thing got to the end of his contract, weighed up the options and made a decision. Its good to see some players actually doing that nowadays. Good Luck Chuck, just not tonight!

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Tractamatt added 12:01 - Oct 18 More concerned with the comment "might well happen this season" don't they ever learn?
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Tractamatt added 12:12 - Oct 18 More concerned with the comment "might well happen this season" don't they ever learn?
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eaii added 12:27 - Oct 18 Well some of the comments on here i get the feeling that some Town supporters want him to score against us even? sotd78 are you Ipswich or Norris/Pompey. He left for money and thought Ipswich was sinking so go stick the 100% effort comments right where the Pompey fans bell should go and the sun dont shine there too much neither. Lame is not enough of a word, passion for your club gentlemen at home or at PR not applauding two bob CM's who basically stuck his fingers up at us. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Jim added 13:06 - Oct 18 Personally speaking I will boo him. We paid decent money for him and I would assume paid him decent wages (the club stuck with the transfer even when it seemed it would never happen). In that time we have had him we have probably lost a year from him through injury (not his fault admittedly) and stuck with him. Yes he gave 100%, but for the fee plus the wages he cost he should have done more than run around in circles and score a few goals last season. And we all know he was off when the contract was not sorted in january but he kept insisting that he wanted to stay. Then when the season is over he announces that he is actually off and joins portsmouth (didn't see that coming). Coward.

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BerlinBlue added 13:43 - Oct 18 I wouldn't boo if I was going to the game. What's the point exactly? He was a decent player for us, didn't set the league alight, but always gave his all. We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that perhaps he wasn't helped by tactics and formations in the past. And yes, one reason he left us was to make sure he and his family are financially secure in the future. Who wouldn't do that? ITFC delayed their contract offer too long, if that is what they had intended to do. I think we'll win tonight.

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awayfan added 14:04 - Oct 18 Disappointing, but not in the least bit surprising, that one or two people on here plan to boo him from the safe anonymity of the crowd.
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Bergholtblue added 14:12 - Oct 18 "Another money grabbing footballer".... aren't they all? Do you think that there is anyone in the current Town squad that wouldn't walk away if they got a better offer? Its the way things are now. The days of loyalty to the club are long gone. He came, he did his bit (not his fault he was overpriced) and he went. No reason to applaud or boo him. Norris does not interest me. All I am concerned with is supporting whoever is wearing the blue shirts tonight.

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scooterblue added 16:22 - Oct 18 didn't he join us to be closer to his family in cambridgeshire?. agree with punchnohopers : another money grabbing football player.
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