Manager Mick McCarthy says Town’s academy scholars’ talents aren’t just limited to their footballing skills. The youngsters sang in front of the senior pros last week and impressed the Blues boss.

McCarthy says that prior to returning home for the holidays last Thursday, the academy boys performed a few songs — some of them apt choices - in order to earn their Christmas tips from the first-teamers: “They were great, they were terrific. I love all that.

“It wasn’t my doing, it’s a tradition of old and they were fantastic. Rocko, David October, was playing the guitar and they were all singing. They were class!

“The interesting one, bearing in mind they were looking for their tips for doing the boots over the year, was It’s Not About the Money, Money, Money. I think we all got the message!”

Even the manager himself had to cough up: “I have a lad who comes and does mine, Byron Lawrence. He has two people’s boots to do, he just makes sure they’re clean and puts them back.

“He got his dough for it and it was well worth it, let me tell you, as I’ve only been here since November and he got 12 months’ money!

“It’s lovely,” he continued. “And I think it lets them interact with the players and the first team. I think it’s great.”

He says the youngsters and senior players are close: “There’s a good spirit between the first teamers and the academy boys.

“They were very, very good, I have to be honest. It was one of those situations where you wait for it and you’re almost waiting for them not to be good so you can take the piss, but they were very good, you had to give it to them.

“The lads bought into it, they were terrific. There’s a good spirit in the place, they’re a good group.”

Photo: Action Images

Rentaghost added 06:29 - Dec 28 Sounds good to earn some extra cash. Shame they cant clean chimneys like the good old days.
0

Pendejo added 08:03 - Dec 28 Are they good enough to win X Factor? A clear opportunity for guerilla marketing for ME
0

oscarwhiting added 08:54 - Dec 28 Good to hear the spririts are high amoghnts the lads. Hopefully mm will bring a couple of them through and turn them into a Luke hyam. I would love to see jake Marriott.
0

Wallingford_Boy added 08:57 - Dec 28 I think they are too good and too straight to win X Factor..
0

colonel added 09:50 - Dec 28 The first manager in years to have me smiling again & crying blue tears of laughter rather than woe. Let's do our bit on the 'terraces' to help keep the momentum flowing under Big Mick's leadership. We might just have our Team back. COYB
0

davidsc1971 added 09:54 - Dec 28 @Rentaghost - perhaps turnstile painting is the modern equivalent?
0

ericclacton added 09:57 - Dec 28 That is a song by the Who,TheKids Are Alright.
0

Michael11 added 10:14 - Dec 28 I think as much as good as Mick's been tactically and in his team selection, it seem he's brought back a smile to the place and a team spirit which is always important!
0

runningout added 10:50 - Dec 28 oh come on..
0

DiamondGezzer added 11:45 - Dec 28 What about " The boys are back in [g] Town " ?
0

jas0999 added 13:11 - Dec 28 A great story! Lovely stuff!
0

Talbs77 added 20:18 - Dec 28 I think MM loves the crack of the lads and a dressing room. I get the feeling the boys really like his company and want to do well for him. Really good story and really encouraging.
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls