Simon Milton has announced he is set to leave Town after 30 years, first as a player and then as part of the backroom staff, most recently working as the club’s director of academy sales.

The 53-year-old, who joined the Blues from Bury Town in 1987 for a fee of £5,000, revealed his exit in the latest academy newsletter: “I have decided that the time is right for me to leave my position as director of academy sales.

“This is not a decision I have taken lightly but one which I feel is right for me at this time.

“I will be very sad to leave the club after 30 years but will still attend home matches supporting the team and meeting up with you all in the new season.

“I am waiting for confirmation on how my existing role will be filled and I will let you know as soon as it has been agreed.”

Thanks to Managers, Teammates, Staff, Directors, Sponsors, Fans & Media for a brilliant 30yrs. #itfc #memories pic.twitter.com/8rkZVTUmkB– Simon Milton (@Milts25) June 8, 2017

Town MD Ian Milne said in a statement: "Simon Milton has decided to leave the club at the end of this month to take up a new challenge.

“He has been a fantastic and loyal servant to the club, firstly as a player for 11 years and then for another 19 years working on the commercial side.

“There is no doubt he will be missed and everyone at the club wishes him every success for the future.

“We do hope to see him back at Portman Road next season though, supporting Mick and the players.”

Milton made 258 starts and 72 sub appearances, scoring 56 goals, before retiring in 1998 following his testimonial season. He was a member of the 1991/92 Second Division championship-winning side.

While a Blues player the Fulham-born midfielder spent time on loan at Exeter and Torquay.

Milton, who also played locally in non-league for Thetford, the town in which he grew up, prior to his time with Bury, was inducted into the Town Hall of Fame in March 2016.

In February, he was made the guest of honour at the EFL Cup final by charity Prostate Cancer UK in recognition of the £250,000 he had helped to raise via their annual Amsterdam Cycle Challenge the previous three summers.

Photos: Action Images/TWTD

loudnproud added 07:54 - Jun 8 Milts used to be a nice all round sort of chap, but his little bit of power went to his head and he became a megalomaniac wanting a ridiculous fee to meet our German friends from FC fortuna. Hes been forced out without a doubt......wage freeze or cut may be.
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BackTheBlues added 09:17 - Jun 8 Evans financial constraints? McCarthy's appalling football not being replicated in the 1st team... Our club is losing touch with its roots! McCarthy and Evans out before it's too late!!!
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coolcat added 11:51 - Jun 8 Sad to see him go. Best of luck for the future Milts.
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Brownie added 12:43 - Jun 8 Dissboy I assume you didn't like Alan Brazil as he is the only 81 team member you don't mention! Have to agree they were all legends! Never again unfortunately..
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jas1972 added 13:25 - Jun 8 Why would this be a great loss to the club? He had nothing to do with the players, either on coaching or development, but was working on the commercial side (as in "how can I get the season ticket holders, rather than the club, to pay for the academy"). As a PR appointment he wasn't that great _ certainly no different from whoever sells you a ticket at the office.
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blueboy1981 added 21:32 - Jun 8 ....... ??? - amazed that some find it difficult to acknowledge 30 years service. Many so called 'legends' haven't spent anywhere near that time with the Club. Do you really have to have been a player to earn the tag 'legend' of the Club ? - this guy, was, and is, blue through and through - but probably p*ssed off, like many of us are, or in some cases, until the wind changes direction again..... !!!

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Dissboyitfc added 06:33 - Jun 9 brownie... they were only examples of legends, i didnt mention Eric Gates either. Gates and Brazil both Legends! Milts is not a legend is the point i am trying to make!
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Razor added 11:00 - Jun 9 Methinks more to this than meets the eye. My guess is he did not WANT to leave but chose to do so because of all that was going on around him. He will be missed cos he did a fantastic job raising thousands for the academy----perhaps that will be next to go.
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senduntd added 15:32 - Jun 9 Really nice bloke
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cat added 16:01 - Jun 9 The word LEGEND is too easily used these days, Milton a legend?? No way, Jose!
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Daleyitfc added 20:15 - Jun 9 A poor ambassador for the club : I was working at a school when he (and Karen Pickering) were invited along to a sports day to promote a town-wide sports scheme that involved them both - he took absolutely no interest in the events that the kids were doing, didn't talk to any of them nor join in, and I was standing near him when he took a phone call to which his response was "I can get away from here whenever you like ; it's rubbish". So, in my opinion, was he. Good riddance. A mediocre player too. n.b. Karen Pickering was no better : also no interest in what was taking place ; didn't talk to any of the kids. Came along in high heels and short skirt (shiver) so clearly had no intention of joining in.

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TheCurly added 21:45 - Jun 9 As someone who has taken part in the last two, hugely successful Team ITFC charity cycle rides, not only am I very surprised by this news, I am devastated by it. Although I cannot claim to know the guy well I have spent a bit of time with him and found him a very confident and relaxed guy who is also incredibly enthusiastic, there is no way I would label him arrogant as some have suggested. Make no mistake about it “Milts” was very good at his job and he has built a solid and professional team around him, he will be missed by me and many more. It will be interesting to see where he ends up and whether ITFC can find a successor for his post. I would like to thank “Milts” for all he has done for ITFC, (especially the cycle rides) and wish him all the best for the future

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