Blues chief executive Simon Clegg says the appointment of new fitness consultant Steve Williams came out of discussions between himself and manager Paul Jewell. The 36-year-old double Olympic rowing Gold medallist joined the club on a part-time basis working with fitness coach Andy Liddell last week.

Clegg said: “We’ve been discussing a whole range of ways in which we might be able to try and squeeze a little bit extra out of the performance.

“Paul was very open. I put up a number of people that he interviewed and it was his decision at the end of the day.

“He was very impressed by Steve. Steve took training [on Monday] afternoon. He told them it was going to be a light session and apparently they were all absolutely knackered by the end!”

He says the squad can learn from Williams, regardless of his lack of footballing credentials: “It’s about performance. He’s come in to support Andy on the physical performance side, it’s nothing to do with footballing skills or anything like that.

“It doesn’t matter how good your footballing skills are, if you haven’t got the fitness to go with it, you’re never going get anywhere.”

Despite his achievements both in and outside a boat — he has also climbed Everest and walked to the North Pole — Clegg says the Leamington Spa-born rower is not one of sport’s louder characters: “He’s an incredibly modest, quiet individual.”

Williams is likely to be amongst those putting the squad through their paces at next week's training camp near Eindhoven.

The squad which travels to Holland on Sunday will almost certainly include only one goalkeeper, Arran Lee-Barrett. We understand there is nothing in overnight reports from Wales claiming Blues interest in ex-Cardiff man Tom Heaton.

If Lee-Barrett picks up a knock during training or Tuesday’s match at Helmond Sport or Thursday’s game at Den Bosch (both 7pm local time) then it’s likely the Blues will borrow a keeper from one of the Dutch clubs. as has happened in similar circumstances on pre-season tours in the past.

Meanwhile, the Blues' pre-season game at Braintree on Tuesday 24th July has switched to a 7.45pm kick-off. It’s likely Town will field a second string side against the Blue Square Bet Premier side.

Elsewhere, former Town left-back Shane O’Connor is on trial with League One new boys Crawley Town. The 22-year-old, who is currently with hometown club Cork City having left the Blues in January, spent time on trial at the Broadfield Stadium last summer before deciding against a six-month loan.

Former Town striker Alan Lee, 33, has signed a new one-year deal with Huddersfield, who were promoted to the Championship via the play-offs in May.

Ex-Blues keeper Márton Fülöp, 29, is reported to have been offered terms by Greek side Asteras Tripolis having been released by West Brom at the end of the season.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

Mark added 20:12 - Jul 12 Why don't we speak to Tom Heaton and invite him to Holland? He has to be worth a look, we need a goalkeeper!
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runaround added 20:27 - Jul 12 Shame about Heaton as the need for a keeper is increasing as the number of available keepers is seemingly diminishing. PJ seems quite sure he will have at least another 1 keeper in place by start of season but I'm getting concerned that it will be a panic buy loanee
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BlueBadger added 20:34 - Jul 12 And once again, non-football man Simon Clegg offering positions to other non-football men due to him spending all his time worrying about the olympics. Disgrace.
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Jimmys_Law added 20:37 - Jul 12 I think, given a run of games and if some fans quit slagging him off, ALB can perform as good as any other keeper in the championship and is good enough to be our no.1. Although I agree we do need another goalkeeper at the club.
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NoCanariesAllowed added 20:48 - Jul 12 A little disappointed with the Tom Heaton situation - I honestly think he is a very underrated keeper who can no doubt be a solid No.1 for somebody - but that's what happens when you get invested in transfer speculation. While I still have my doubts about Lee-Barrett, he has his days where he is unbeatable and could still serve as a No.1. Whatever happens, the important thing is to pick a goalkeeper and stick with them, be it ALB or a new signing. The chopping and changing of recent seasons has done little for defensive harmony.

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Edinburgh_Blue added 21:43 - Jul 12 My niece is a rower and trust me, he will REALLY put the players through their paces. They could be in for a bit of a shock!
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groovyASH added 21:46 - Jul 12 He's not been brought in for his wealth of footballing knowledge, he's been brought in for his superb fitness atributes, and if he can help keep the squad fitter this is a great appointment. @BlueBadger- read the article, Jewell interviewed and ultimately decided on him. Muppet.
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IvorFeeling added 21:54 - Jul 12 Interesting that PJ has come full circle as last year a fitness coach was not required. I am all for this and it shows that the team are thinking outside of the box. For you doubters read Clive Woodwards biography and also see Bradley Wiggins coach - bringing someone having top skills in a discipline can only be good. There is very little downside.
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Dalty added 22:06 - Jul 12 Great Britain has the best cycling team in the world due in no small part to the team's (specifically Dave Brailsford's) open-mindedness regarding incorporating top class trainers and training techniques from other sports. Ipswich Town hire a fitness coach of elite background from another sport and some fans slate the decision... says a lot about how many football fans (of all clubs, not just of our club) are generally far more closed-minded than those from other sports.

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h32 added 22:21 - Jul 12 ....... at this rate he may be playing in goal - it's all about getting priorities right - and is a 'rower' really that much more important than a Goalkeeper right now ?? - it obviously is !! - because Clegg and Jewell thinks so, and have signed him up.
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itfchorry added 22:52 - Jul 12 A really awful CEO Poor old Guam
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Garv added 22:52 - Jul 12 They've signed a fitness coach before a keeper, therefore the fitness coach is more important. Right. You're very tedious h32. This guy could prove valuable. I've always thought if you've got the fittest team in the league you'll always have an edge over your opponent. Bit obvious maybe, but its a big factor.
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brittaniaman added 23:03 - Jul 12 ALB is not a no. 1 goalkeeper he plays well and then let in easy goals and his confidence goes, he just cannot seem to raise his game again ??seen it so many times
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buryblue77 added 23:16 - Jul 12 The search for the keeper is ongoing as is fitness. two completely different situations, sometimes things just need doing in a certain order. If we put everything on hold until the keeper was signed then we wouldn't get anywhere. I understand the frustrations of those who criticise, last few seasons haven't been good and yes we are still to address the keeper position but give the guy a break and try to look at things with a more open mind.

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gibbo added 23:18 - Jul 12 Do we have a 2nd team, maybe the tea lady will play in goal !
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Mr_Evans added 23:56 - Jul 12 I live the fact we're thinking outside the box, being inventive and looking at new approaches. The Opta Stats prove the hardworking & fittest teams are the most successful in this division. How many times have we seen town switch off at the end of each half, and the amount of points we hae dropped!! Very excited for the forth coming season, and very impressed with SC this summer - give credit where it is due. If we get promoted he'd be seen as a hero!

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tractorgirls added 05:22 - Jul 13 we are not thiniing outside the box, we have realised we made a huge mistake by only having one of Jewell's mates in Andy Liddle trying to keep an ageing squad fit.. we have never had a fitness coach under Jewell and still don't. Remember Steve Williams is Part-Time and just a consultant. I know some folk will think anyone not being 100% behind the team is a moaner, BUT what can be said about those who type the same stuff "Excellent signing" when we are linked with every player regardless of who they are, an unknown youth player, to a 4th division goalkeeper. Needs to be some realisation that we have been poor for quite a few seasons and the fact that we are still very much under strength as we go into Pre-season should be a little worrying even to the greatest of optimists!

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irishtim added 06:52 - Jul 13 Have we got a u-18 keeper? We could take for the experience?
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itfc1981 added 07:29 - Jul 13
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DiamondGezzer added 07:35 - Jul 13 Mr Evans :- Agree. How many times did we conceed in the last minute of a game ? Surely if he gives us that little bit of extra fitness/energy then it has to be a good thing.
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MrCool added 08:50 - Jul 13 I don't know, but I'd guess that all top clubs in Europe employ fitness coaches, who don't necessarily understand the off-side rule. The fitter you are, the longer you last.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 08:55 - Jul 13 Garv - well said, totally agree h32 - do you actually read back some of your comments before you post them ? As we found out with Chambers, PJ had been speaking with him all summer , how do you know he hasnt been doing that with a keeper/keepers. We all agree thats a key signing and we would all like to have one in now but i would rather sign the right one a week into the season than the wrong one now just so we can take him on pre-season tour ! With regard to Williams, the guy is obviously an inspirational character and by the sounds of it is going to help improve fitness.....how can that be a bad thing.

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Surco72 added 09:04 - Jul 13 Bluebadger what exactly dictates a footballing man ? Someone who has done it all his life ,5 years ,10 years ? Clegg has been working at a football club 3 plus years now when in your eyes does he become a footballing man or is it unachievable because he did other sporting things in his past ? Do you seriously think top clubs who have fitness coaches,dieticians,physios ,chief executives and physc mental coaches are all from footballing backgrounds ? People need to wake up and realise football is business and the majority of people who have spent their life in football would not be able to run a business as they let their passion rule their heads .

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jabberjackson added 09:28 - Jul 13 Horry, change the record, you are getting boring now Pleased that there are some thoughtful intelligent Ipswich fans out there drowning out the negative voices of the few who will all change their tune or get back into their gimp-like cages when Ipswich start doing well, as I believe they will, pretty quickly, next season
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:51 - Jul 13 nice one, at least if we are up sh;t creek again we will have someone with a paddle . COYB
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