Returning to Portman Road brought childhood memories flooding back for new Blues keeper Scott Loach, who completed his £150,000 switch from Watford earlier today. The 24-year-old, who has signed a three-year deal with the option of a further season, was with the Town academy between 1997 and 2000 before his father’s work took them back to Nottingham.

Loach will be reunited with someone he says was one of his earliest mentors once he meets up with the squad which returns from Holland on Friday morning: “I started to come here to watch at six or seven and then joined the academy and Malcolm Webster was my goalie coach," he told Radio Suffolk.

“I can say he basically got me on the road, he taught me the techniques to be a goalkeeper and I took it from there.”

He says his love of the club has never left him, even if it didn’t always make him popular with the rest of the family: “Ipswich has always stayed with me. When I moved back to Nottingham I kept the Ipswich shirt while my family were wearing Forest shirts.

“They’ve not been too keen on that sometimes, but there’s no changing that. I’m a big Ipswich fan and I think everybody knows that and it’s a dream come true to be here.”

Town highlights of the late 1990s under George Burley flooded back: “One of the best moments as a kid was when we beat Man United in the old Coca-Cola Cup and Maurico Taricco cut in from left-back and scored a great goal from 25 yards.

“The likes of Richard Wright, Matt Holland, Alex Mathie, Bobby Petta and people like that I was really a big fan of.

“I was fortunate enough to watch them training once and I saw David Johnson and Bobby Petta doing shooting practice. I was like a kid in a sweetshop and it’s still stuck with me to this day. Just being back around here has brought those memories back.”

With Town not having beaten Watford home or away since 2004, he has inevitably had a more than decent record at Portman Road with the Hornets, something he is hoping to continue now he’ll be in the home dressing room: “Touch wood, I’ve always had good results here [with Watford]. If I can take that kind of record into my time wearing an Ipswich shirt, then happy days.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing here and now I get to play here 23 times a season which is even better. I’m very excited to be here and can’t wait to get started.”

Loach is likely to make his first appearance for the Blues since those academy days at either Braintree on Tuesday or Cambridge on Wednesday with Paul Jewell set to split his senior players between the matches.

Photo: Action Images

Dowson added 22:04 - Jul 19 Cant believe some people calling him a bad signing , young hungry town fan . Who has proven himself before and had a cracking game for watford on the last day . Good luck Scott
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ProperItfcLad added 22:07 - Jul 19 True blue, welcome aboard!
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itfchorry added 22:09 - Jul 19 This is a really great signing - Scott always had time for the North Stand every time he came to Portman Road. Wish you all the very best
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DinnernotTea added 22:09 - Jul 19 Not afraid to admit it...I'm in love with him! Ha. You get usual crap from new singings "so happy to be here. Glad its finally sorted. Facilities are brilliant" etc etc. But this is genuine, he's one of us. Scotty Loach's Blue and White Army.
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Dalty added 22:14 - Jul 19 So pleased with this signing, don't always go along with the 'blue blood' banter but this guy has all the tools to be a legend here. Great age and pedigree, this is one of the few moves where he can realise his undoubted potential and get back his early Watford form which got him in the England squad. Can feel the soul returning to our beloved club for the first time in yonks, about time!

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honder_ITFC added 22:22 - Jul 19 Cracking signing and at such a cheap price! He's still young and hungry to do well for the club, this is exactly what we were all after midway through last season. #Inscottloachwetrust
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Sindre94 added 22:22 - Jul 19 hes such a good lad! town fan and a good talent, doesnt get any better
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jert16 added 22:28 - Jul 19 LAD
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derbytractoryboy added 22:32 - Jul 19 Can we all remember these positive comments if and when we go through a bit of a bad run and make outrageous comments such as, " that Loach was a waste of money", and "another one of Jewell's flops!" it's clear to see what Jewell's is trying to do and any 'true' fan will not be finding fault each week. I am beginning to look forward to the start of the season already, feeling as though our defence is being strengthened and belief is returning to our great club! COYB

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Mr_Evans added 22:48 - Jul 19 Theres a good feeling going around atm, I have a sense that Ipswich is starting to become the club it was during the Royle days when it started to leave us. It has taken a while but feel we are being positive and planning well for the future. I'm very pleased with PJ, SC & ME this summer.. And I admit I haven't allways been their biggest fans. I feel optimistic yet realistic about the coming season. I feel we have to be challenging for a Play Off place, I'll be happy if we finish in the top 8 or 9, Aslong as we're are challenging for a Play Off position on the finals days of the season. Ahhhh excited and I'm chuffed to bits I got a season ticket for the first time in 6 years!! Happy Happy! COYB!

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Langdon_Blue added 22:49 - Jul 19 Derbytractorboy - good post! Totally agree.
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Marcus added 23:03 - Jul 19 Sorry... Bobby Petta?
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TractorBoy666 added 23:21 - Jul 19 Same Mr Evans! Haven't watched a game at portman road for ages now. Keane just kept me away from buying a season ticket. Got my season ticket now are buzzing! As for Loach, one GREAT signing. Loves the club and i think he will do very well here. COYB!!!
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Markthehorn added 23:44 - Jul 19 Good luck to Scott...a decent keeper when given a chance and has confidence.
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debenturedave added 00:46 - Jul 20 Great signing... just need a new striker now ... Rhodes would be ideal ... or Wickham on loan, then Play-offs look to be possible for the first time since Royle was in charge ! Happy days ... hopefully !
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not_a_witty_name added 02:23 - Jul 20 Agreed, back to the old Ipswich type of team. We would have been promoted under Royle if he had been given a tenth of the money we had got for selling the players we had to. Sad days off pitch but happy days on it.
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Duncan added 07:21 - Jul 20 Reading Loach's comment about his love for the club is starting to bring back my immense pride in being an Ipswich fan. I live in Lowestoft and am in an office with a Norwich fan who has been absolutely delighted in the way since ME came to our club it has slowly gone backwards. If Loach and Hyam play we will have 2 proper Ipswich fans in our lineup which for me just adds another 20% to the passion from the supporters to want the team to do well. I can't wait for that horse feeling on a Saturday night knowing you have sang your heart out for the lads (and hopefully come away with a result) I can now walk into the office with my head held high as for the first time in years I feel like we are going to have a good season, not just on the pitch but I can't wait for Loach's reaction to his first home win in a Town shirt!!

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Joetown95 added 07:24 - Jul 20 Would have prefered to have kello but as we have got him now onwards and upwards
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itfc1981 added 07:37 - Jul 20 You can hear Loach on Radio Suffolk here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18901184
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TheRef added 12:08 - Jul 20 150k, even if it takes him a few games to settle, what a signing, what a fan, with him in goal, smith in defence, hyam in the middle, and Murray up fron, you could say our Acadamy is providing decent players, at a push, lol.
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algarvefan added 15:09 - Jul 20 Really good signing IMO....welcome home Scott!!
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