Cole Skuse has revealed a guilty secret ahead of his trip back home for today’s clash with Bristol City, the club from whom he joined Town in 2013.

The midfielder, a staunch City supporter as a youngster, remembered an incident that took place during his time as a regular on the Ashton Gate terracing.

He recalled: “I used to stand with my dad behind the goal near where the tunnel is now. There was a gap between us and the away fans, and the players would warm-up and take a few shots at that end before the kick-off.

“There were always a few balls that ended up in the crowd and I have to admit I took one home with me once. I was so young at the time that it felt as hard as a medicine ball when I kicked it. I’ll take a new one along this weekend to replace it.”

Skuse’s dream to play for City not only came true, he clocked up an impressive 307 first team appearances, but all that seemed a long way off when he was invited to become a part of the Ashton Gate set-up at the tender age of 10.

He added: “My dad was thrilled when I joined City and he has hardly ever missed a game since I started playing in a team at about the age of eight.

“Even since I’ve moved to Ipswich he has hardly missed a game but, would you believe, he missed the game against Cardiff when I scored my only goal so far.

“When I got in the car after the game there were quite a few missed calls and a message, which wasn’t that polite because he’d missed a goal. ‘You little so-and-so’ he said. He has only missed another couple of games due to weddings and other family commitments.

Skuse facing the Blues while with the Robins

“When I was a kid he didn’t miss a training session, never mind a game. He’s a builder and he was able to leave work early to get me to the other side of Bristol to make training three times a week.”

Skuse knows it will be a strange feeling to head for the away dressing room at Ashton Gate before lining up against his former club. He admitted: “As much as you can say it’s just another game, it isn’t for me.

“I obviously have a huge attachment to City but it’s often said by players that as soon as you cross the white line you forget about things and I’m sure I will.

“I’d like to think I will get a decent reception. Last season I was injured but still travelled with the lads. I went on to the pitch at half-time to pick out the winning raffle tickets and I got a very good reception then.

“But it might be different when I’m playing because I could upset them if I score or go into a crunching tackle and pick up a yellow card. Then they’ll be on my back, I would imagine.

“It will be an emotional day, not just for me but also my family. But I can confirm I’ll be celebrating if I score. I served my time with Bristol City and they’ll always be my team but I’m very much an Ipswich Town player.

"I don’t get many goals, as I’m sure you are aware, but if I do get one at Ashton Gate I will relish every moment of my celebration.”

Photo: TWTD

battyblue added 06:27 - Dec 3 Good luck Skusey today could be your day.
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Benters added 07:09 - Dec 3 What a funny story ! :)
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Crawfordsboot added 07:37 - Dec 3 Anyone else find the heading hook inappropriate in the current climate of sex abuse revelations
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SpiritOfJohn added 08:07 - Dec 3 Let's hope he can nick a goal today.
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Seasider added 08:40 - Dec 3 Better count the balls at Playford Rd in case one is missing lol !Good luck to lads today Was hoping to see match as one son has practice down here;but grand dad taxi service required!
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BrettenhamBlue added 09:43 - Dec 3 No. didn't find the headline hook inappropriate.
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PhilTWTD added 09:46 - Dec 3 As per the post I've pasted below (removed post as the embed was causing the page to expand), it honestly didn't occur to me that it might be linked in that way. 1RWR added 09:27 - Dec 3 Anyone else find the heading hook inappropriate in the current climate of sex abuse revelations - See more at: Skuse: My Guilty Secret 3rd Dec 2016 06:00 Cole Skuse has revealed a guilty secret ahead of his trip back home for today's clash with Bristol City, the club from whom he joined Town in 2013. 6 No? did you?

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carsey added 10:46 - Dec 3 Crawfordsboot don't be one of those who get offended on other peoples behalf.
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tractorshark added 11:08 - Dec 3 Absolutely nothing wrong with the headline. I would have thought if the story had any reference to the disgraceful revelations coming out right now, it would have been accompanied by a much harder-hitting headline. I wouldn't describe sexual abuse as merely a guilty secret!
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grumpyoldman added 12:35 - Dec 3 As guilty secrets go it is pretty tame, if he admitted he was not really a MM fan that would be relevant to some
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The_Romford_Blue added 12:36 - Dec 3 Billblue - 'so called gay rights' Eh?
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neilvanlimbeek added 13:20 - Dec 3 Thought it was going to be "I told MM that I would only sign if they gave my best chums Douglas and Coke 2 year contracts"
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rinkydinkpanther added 15:03 - Dec 3 'Skuse: My Guilty Secret' What is it? That he can't run very fast? Can't tackle too well? Can't really shoot? Struggles to pick out insightful passes? Isn't that good with the ball at his feet? No secrets here, but he should feel guilty.
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Michael11 added 16:59 - Dec 3 With that headline, I thought he was finally going to reveal that he's an absolute fraudster of a midfielder.
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OsborneOneNil added 08:06 - Dec 4 Pathetic yesterday.
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Crawfordsboot added 22:26 - Dec 5 Carsey I am not offended or up in arms on behalf of someone else I just thought it a bit clumsy and ill timed. Not the end of the world though on first take it could be seen as an inappropriate hook. Phil has explained that it was just an honest mistake which I accept.
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