Tommy Smith has revealed how he had to retrieve boots belonging to Jordan Rhodes following his pal’s shock departure from Ipswich more than four years ago.

It was July 2009 and the pair were sat together on the Town team bus ready to head for South London and a pre-season friendly at Charlton.

Smith, still on best-pal terms with Rhodes, recalled: “I was very surprised when Jordan left. It was completely out of the blue.

“I can’t comment on what happened behind the scenes. We were just sitting on the bus and he was called away. He came back and told us ‘I’m off’ and it was as quick as that.

“I ended up having to get his boots for him because he wasn’t allowed back into the training ground.”

Rhodes’s transfer to Huddersfield - the Blues ultimately received just over £1 million after top-ups and a sell-on clause - was a huge success for him and his subsequent £8 million move to Blackburn has also worked out well, catapulting him into the Scotland squad.

The striker has netted 125 times in 213 appearances for the two clubs but his departure has always puzzled Town fans, many of whom could not understand then manager Roy Keane’s decision to sell such a promising young talent.

The former Kesgrave High School pupil, , pictured above scoring his only goal for the Blues in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff in April 2008, had made 10 first team appearances, all as a substitute, and looked set to take the next step in his career by challenging for a place in the starting line-up.

Smith added: “We were room-mates on away trips and we lived around the corner from each other on Grange Farm. We used to hang out quite a bit together and at the time it was my best mate at the club leaving.

“I think you can say that leaving Ipswich has been the best thing for his career. It was disappointing to lose him here but he’s gone on and done really well for himself and I’m delighted for him personally.”

Rhodes netted the only goal against Town at Ewood Park in February, his celebrations underlining what the goal meant to him, and tomorrow night’s home clash with Blackburn will mark his first return to Portman Road.

Smith added: “It will be nice to come up against him again. I broke his nose last season so I’m sure he’ll be trying to get some payback for that.

“I’ll probably speak to him today when they are on their way down. I’ll see if I can eke out a bit of information about their team.

“We’re good mates, but as soon as the match starts you’re enemies. I don’t want to see him shouting and screaming against us again.”

Photo: Action Images

Robbie12345 added 16:03 - Dec 2 Sign him mick!!
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Vic added 16:05 - Dec 2 A nice 'firm' tackle (just above the ankle!) in the first few minutes should help, Tommy!
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blueherts added 16:08 - Dec 2 This is just one of the reasons that N#b Jockey Keane should never be regarded other than someone who took this club backwards - yes we have had some poor managers in the past - but keane was not only a bad manager but not pleasant - and I say this from having spoken to people in the club at the time Evans made a HUGE mistake there and the way Rhodes and Dad were treated sums up Keane the man ??!! Welcome back Jordan - we would love ya back - swap you for Big Frank

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Greektractor added 16:13 - Dec 2 The one that got away...
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BlueInBerks added 16:14 - Dec 2 Just about to post a message saying much the same, but blueherts beat me to it. Very good source revealed to me at the time that Dad (JR manager) like many could not get on with the Dark Lord.
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Thetfordtractor added 16:16 - Dec 2 Here,here, blueherts.
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blueblood66 added 16:49 - Dec 2 Keane was a DISASTER for this club, what a way to treat a young player.
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blues1 added 17:22 - Dec 2 while I don't necessarily disagree with ne1, who are once again harping on about it, that it was a mistake to allow Rhodes to go, I suggest those of you who are, read the story on here from the Blackburn point of view in regards to tomorrow nights game and all things Blackburn. it appears that they don't actually rate him that highly. some of the points raised in that article may point to the reason keane moved him on. not saying it was right to do so but does make you sit up and wonder if it was quite such a bad decision as we all think it was.

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Wickets added 17:25 - Dec 2 Keane quote "what do fans know"
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Bluetone added 17:31 - Dec 2 Your job Tommy is to see how fast he can limp.
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Jon_456 added 17:40 - Dec 2 Wickets - as much as I hate keane, he probably is right in terms of that probably 90% of football fans don't know half of what people in the game do, as that's why we're just fans and not managers or coaches ourselves.
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Mark added 17:41 - Dec 2 Why wasn't he allowed back into the training ground?! He wasnt sacked for gross misconduct was he, he was sold?! What a way to treat a player! That really is not the Ipswich way. I too read the Blackburn comments critisising Rhodes. I wish Ipswich could have a striker flop who scored 36 goals in 59 league games!!
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dude added 17:45 - Dec 2 depressing man
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SouperJim added 18:05 - Dec 2 I can understand Rhodes feeling bitter towards Keane, but to have ill-feeling towards the club is pretty naive. This club gave him an education and a professional contract after all.
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blueboy1981 added 18:14 - Dec 2 What a disgusting way to treat a young player - never mind the loss to the Club - politics reigned in this case. Jordan has been phenomenal since he left - that success could have been ours to share - I wish him well in every game, including when he plays against us.
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RegencyBlue added 18:24 - Dec 2 Wasn't allowed back into the training ground? Says all you need to know about Keane - petty and vindictive!
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blueherts added 18:41 - Dec 2 JON 456 - Keane is neither a good manager or coach
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Bluetone added 19:03 - Dec 2 Keane as a player was a talented thug as anything else a waste of space
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Robbie12345 added 19:05 - Dec 2 Blueherts- or pundit haha 😉
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jas0999 added 19:09 - Dec 2 Even mick has commented that this was not Roy's decision. The sooner people stop blaming him the better. Mick can't stand Roy so can't see why he would defend him. Reality is there was other stuff going on behind the scenes, dating back to jims days. End of.
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blueboy1981 added 19:12 - Dec 2 ........ let's ALL be decent enough to give the lad the reception his success deserves - after all he didn't chose to leave this Club - that decision was made for him. Let's show him what support he would have had here.
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Garv added 20:08 - Dec 2 Bizarre.
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froudy added 20:58 - Dec 2 The words 'Keane' and 'Manager' don't belong in the same sentence together, let alone talking about whether he knew what he was doing or not. By all accounts, a truly despicable man.
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blueboy1981 added 21:49 - Dec 2 ...... you're right jason0999 - like I said - that decision was internally political. Although RK didn't help the situation to be fair.
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Dissboyitfc added 22:27 - Dec 2 jas0999.... you are seriously way off mark, the truth will come out one day.
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