TWTD understands that Bryan Hamilton, joint Town first team coach with Tony Mowbray, will be leaving Portman Road after his contract was not renewed. The former player rejoined Town's coaching staff in November after previously having a spell as a player in the mid-seventies and coach in 1997/98.

Hamilton's appointment was a surprise to many with rumours suggesting that he was appointed by David Sheepshanks and not George Burley, something the club denied, the manager explaining the reasons behind his appointment: "I felt it was important that we brought a coach of Bryan's high calibre and experience into our coaching staff. Bryan will work closely with myself and Tony Mowbray and together I am confident we will make a formidable coaching team to assist us in our battle to climb up the Premiership table."

Hamilton played for Town between 1971 and 1975, making 186 appearances (+13 as sub) and scoring 56 goals after joining from Linfield.

Everton was his next port of call and he went on to play for Millwall and faced his former team-mates in the 6-1 win at the Den on the road to Wembley '78.

His managerial career started at Tranmere before he moved on to Wigan and Leicester where he brought a young Mark Venus from Hartlepool to play alongside former Town man Russell Osman. Hamilton went on to manage Wigan once more and then Northern Ireland.

After leaving the Northern Ireland job he spent some time concentrating on his media work, before joining Town as first team coach in December 1997. He joined Town in a lowly First Division position, but fuelled by the goals of David Johnson Town steamed up the table to make the play-offs once more, losing to Charlton.

Hamilton was widely credited with playing a major role in that season's turnaround and was the man responsible for moving Kieron Dyer to wide right to central midfield, a decision that many saw as pivotal to Town's success.

In the summer of 1998 Hamilton decided he wanted to take charge of a club himself and he moved to Norwich where he was director of football, with Bruce Rioch as his manager.

Things didn't go well and Rioch left in March 2000 and Hamilton took over as manager. Again things didn't work out and he left in December of the same year. He again concentrated on his media work until Town's offer earlier this season.

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