TWTD understands Town’s head of academy recruitment Steve McGavin is set to join Norwich City’s youth set-up in a similar role having left the Blues.

McGavin handed in his notice at Playford Road last week and, as is customary in these circumstances, has been put on gardening leave.

In a statement given to TWTD, academy manager Lee O’Neill said: "I can confirm that Steve has left the club’s academy. Both Bryan Klug and I would like to put on record our thanks to Steve for his services over the last five years.

"We will now look to restructure our recruitment strategies and resources to better align them with the future needs of the club and the requirements of EPPP. Announcements regarding new appointments will be made shortly."

The 48-year-old was appointed to his position with the Blues in the summer of 2012 during the changes of personnel following Klug’s return as academy director.

Among the players McGavin was responsible for bringing to the club who have subsequently broken into the senior squad are Myles Kenlock, Josh Emmanuel, Pat Webber, Ben Folami, James Blanchfield and Monty Patterson.

West Suffolk-based McGavin was a youth player with Town in the mid-eighties without making a senior appearance for the Blues.

The striker subsequently had spent spells with Colchester United and Birmingham City among others in the Football League before playing in non-league football locally.

McGavin's son, Brett, a midfielder, is currently a second-year scholar at Playford Road.

Norwich have recently been carrying out a review of their academy structure with a number of staff members moving on, including their previous head of recruitment Gregg Broughton.

Photo: TWTD

12th_Man added 10:42 - Oct 31 Scum scum scum
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Westy added 10:49 - Oct 31 Traitor
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runningout added 10:57 - Oct 31 Guess we're not going to wish him too much luck
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dukey44 added 11:07 - Oct 31 So why the Scum! Unless he's not happy about the Mick set up?
-6

itfcbam added 11:09 - Oct 31 Frustrating as it is. The keyboard warriors calling him a traitor etc. Really??!! He probably isn't on mega bucks but has probably been offered a significant pay rise, as norwich currently are financially a wealthier club than us, so you can hardly blame him can you? Do we know he may also live nearer there than ipswich??
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Taricco_Fan added 11:11 - Oct 31 Working man in 'putting his livelihood first' shocker.
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Swailsey added 11:27 - Oct 31 All the best!
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pennblue added 11:41 - Oct 31 The trouble is, he will now try and pinch all our talented youngsters.
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rayman_10 added 11:43 - Oct 31 I actually can't believe someone has mentioned Mick on this post as a potential blame 😂😂😂😂
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pennblue added 11:55 - Oct 31 From Steve McGavin: "Recruiting the best and making sure their environment is the best Recruitment We are not immune to the competition" Head of Recruitment Steve McGavin Cheers Steve, Mate. Hope someone at ITFC is going to keep an eye on him.
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nthstd added 11:57 - Oct 31 Good luck to him. He's got a skill and someone is going to pay him more so away ya go. He like the rest of us is trying to make the best for him and his family. No need to be abusive.
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dukey44 added 11:58 - Oct 31 Anything at our club and sorry mick will be there somewhere!
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dukey44 added 12:00 - Oct 31 And sorry I hate fact Micks even still here at the club so yes his name will be mentioned
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Matt_Portman added 12:06 - Oct 31 In my (albeit very limited) experience no loss. I emailed this chap about I boy I was coaching (in Essex) at U9s. To advise that he was the most naturally gifted goalkeeper i had witnessed, and I'd like the club to look at him. Steve replied that he'd scout him. I then chased twice. Ipswich never came. In the end I put my allegiances aside and contacted other clubs who all scouted. He now plays in another academy.

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bluetit added 12:25 - Oct 31 Micks Fault
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hadleighbluearmy added 12:36 - Oct 31 No surprise, Steve's a good guy and if a better offer comes along who wouldn't accept it honestly?
5

Crock added 16:00 - Oct 31 Judas
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HARRY10 added 16:06 - Oct 31 It's what Cat 1 (them) offers compared to Cat 2(us)
1

blueboy1981 added 16:54 - Oct 31 ........ another long term servant leaves the fold. The demise continues.
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blueboy1981 added 17:02 - Oct 31 ........ typical of the mentality coming to the forefront on this forum. He is obviously going for a better offer and prospects - so who of sane mind could criticise him for that ? Anyone (who works for a living) would do likewise. Calling him Scum, trailtor etc; justs shows that the Managers attitude is cascading down, and ruining our once tremendously proud Club. Shame on the appropriate people.

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strikalite added 17:06 - Oct 31 Another reason to hate the modern game... Shouldn't we be stringing this bloke up from the roof of the SBR stand? You don't do it to my Club matey boy..
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blueboy1981 added 17:08 - Oct 31 ....... Good Luck Steve McGavin - I know how much ITFC has meant to you for many years. Wish you well.
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MickMillsTash added 17:17 - Oct 31 There is no talent in Norfolk He's just going to feel superior
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Dissboyitfc added 17:53 - Oct 31 Speaking to some Norwich fans who are very well informed and the talk is Norwich are making some massive changes to the Academy which could include downgrading to cat 2. Only time will tell if this is correct. Not often i disagree with you Blueboy1981, but on this occasion i simply cant agree with you, McGavin has had lots of connections with ITFC. As an Ipswich supporter there is noway i could go work at NCFC, no matter how much was on offer! As has been mentioned many times on here how much we love our club, to go tp our bitter rivals just doesnt bare thinking about! Could you Blueboy go work at NCFC? I dont think so somehow having blueblood as i believe is the case. I could never in a million years imagine someone like Terry Butcher going to NCFC. When you have Blue in your blood it just dont mix. It is like oil and water.

2

BrettenhamBlue added 18:04 - Oct 31 Plenty of other places he could have gone to, sad he ended up at Norwich.
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