Town have announced the appointment of double Olympic gold medal-winning rower Steve Williams to a consultancy role working with fitness coach Andy Liddell. Williams, 36, won gold in the coxless fours both in Athens in 2004 and at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Williams, who will focus on players’ fitness development and match preparation, also won gold at four World Championships before retiring in 2010. Last year he joined former Wales rugby union international, Richard Parks, in climbing and reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

Boss Paul Jewell told the club site: "The stats showed we were among the fittest sides in the Championship last season but it's important to explore every new angle of fitness and match preparation.

"Steve will work with individuals as well as the squad in general and brings with him a wealth of knowledge of competitive sport and what it takes to get to the very top.

"Having met Steve you can quickly see that he's highly motivated and I'm delighted he will be working with us. He will bring new ideas and I'm sure he will have a positive influence on the squad."

Williams, who was awarded the OBE in 2009, can’t wait to get going: "I'm really looking forward to working with the staff at Ipswich Town.

"There are many components in sport to getting individuals and a team in the best condition and I'm confident the experiences I have had in my career can be used as an asset to this football club."

Photos: Action Images/ITFC

Photo: Action Images

h32 added 20:49 - Jul 3 Langdon Blue - not much in the 'upper half' to be thrilled about at the moment REALISTICALLY and TRUTHFULLY - however optimistic you choose to be. It's high time the glass was topped up - it's been half empty / half full for FAR too long - and stagnating !!
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stringtheory added 20:57 - Jul 3 H32 you absolutely did link Ray Crawford with fitness by implying he would be 'utterly speechless' with this appointment with other club developments. This appointment has everything to do with fitness.
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Lukeybluey added 21:43 - Jul 3 bit of a coup for the club i'd say!
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wark_on_water added 22:05 - Jul 3 'Water way' to run a football club
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Tractorog added 23:02 - Jul 3 Unlike you h32, I'm not fit, but I could last 90 mins on a football field better than I could last even 9 minutes rowing. For a fitness coach a rower is a superb choice. And as for those others that make goal keeper comments clearly thinking that rowing is done with the arms... are you aware that writing also requires use of the brain?
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Sindre94 added 23:55 - Jul 3 Welcome aboard :)
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algarvefan added 01:09 - Jul 4 Great appointment in my opinion, love all the jokes and puns guys and girls, a fit team is a top team, can only be good for the squad....I'll resist the puns ...for now :-)
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kerryblue added 01:39 - Jul 4 Must be a buddy of Cleggs,might be handy when were up sh!t creek again this season.
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Normandyblue added 07:14 - Jul 4 I just wish people on here would stop rowing with each other.
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brian_a_mul added 08:32 - Jul 4 Good appointment, from a motivational point of view he could be priceless. As said earlier, when the chips are down he could help inspire the squad.
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h32 added 18:25 - Jul 4 stringtheory - you obvoiusly can't read - or understand what you are reading. May I suggest you READ the post again - and UNDERSTAND the wording before posting INCORRECT statements. Some people....!!
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kerryblue added 00:09 - Jul 5 Stringtheory seems to get off on contradicting the basic facts
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