Town have announced the retirement of Academy head of recruitment Malcolm Moore. The 65-year-old has worked for the Blues for more than 20 years and helped in the discovery and development of the likes of Darren Bent, Connor Wickham, Owen Garvan, Liam Trotter, Darren Ambrose, Josh Carson and Byron Lawrence amongst many others.

Malcolm told the club site that he now intends to move to the west country closer to his family: "I've enjoyed my time working for this fantastic football club.

"I've had the privilege of working with so many good people in the 20-odd years that I have been at the club, going back to the early days with the Football in the Community scheme through to working for the Academy.

"I've seen young players that I have brought to the club at eight, nine, 10 years of age progress to play for the first team and in some cases go on to play for their country. That's something I am very proud of.

"It is a decision that I have been thinking about for a while and it has not been an easy one. I leave though with so many good memories of my time at Ipswich Town, the young players I have worked with, the staff at the club, the terrific nights in the Youth Cup. I've really enjoyed it and I wish Ipswich Town every success for the future."

Chief executive Simon Clegg paid tribute to Moore’s role in bringing through so many players: "I'd like to thank Malcolm for his loyal service over the last 20 years.

"He has been a valued member of staff at our Academy and played a leading role in searching for and developing the next generation of Ipswich Town players.

"Everyone at Ipswich Town wishes Malcolm the very best for the future and while I understand he is moving to the west country to be closer to his family, he knows we will always have a seat for him at Portman Road should he be in Suffolk on a matchday."

Photo: Action Images

ITFCMonk added 13:08 - Jun 7 Anyone know who could replace him? Seems to be a big loss for the academy even though we do have Bryan Klug back..
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bluey123 added 13:09 - Jun 7 Another leaving a sinking ship
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northernblues added 13:16 - Jun 7 bluey123 he is retiring!how can you draw a negative from this post?
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BotesdaleBlue added 13:19 - Jun 7 ITFCMonk Hold on ---Bryan Klug has not joined us yet. Lets hope the Club can confirm his appointment as soon as possible, but experience of supporting this Club tells me never to count on anything until it is signed, sealed and delivered.
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JimmyJazz added 14:01 - Jun 7 To add a bit of perspective, and not to say that Malcolm Moore has not been doing a sterling job for the past 20 years, but before this news story I'd never heard of him
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walberswick added 14:29 - Jun 7 what does Bryan think or isn't it up to him as new head of the academy?
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Marcus added 15:37 - Jun 7 It's Clegg's fault. Actually it isn't but I thought I'd post it before anyone else.
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homer1973 added 16:18 - Jun 7 A very pleasent and professional man hope he makes one last visit to Southwold on 27th July Southwold Town Chairman
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BuckieBlue added 16:54 - Jun 7 20 years with any club has got to be worthy of praise. Hope you've a good retirement, Malcolm.
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BillBlue added 18:38 - Jun 7 northernblues. He is not being negative, that is him being positive. COYB
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Millsey added 19:21 - Jun 7 Happy retirement Malcolm. Why oh why do some of you have to comment with a negative you m#rons
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brittaniaman added 20:12 - Jun 7 Well done Malcolm,, good retirement !!!!! Glad you survived the Dark Lord era. He tried to get rid of all the good ones, but did not always suceed ????
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algarvefan added 00:03 - Jun 8 bluey123 you're an idiot!! Malcolm thank you for 20 years of loyal service and good luck and health in your retirement mate.
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newboy added 09:09 - Jun 8 Wake up fool jewell is far worse than the so caled dark lord why do you think all of these people are leaving - he and clegg will take this club down
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