It was an emotional last game of his long career for Town goalkeeper-coach Malcolm Webster, who is hanging up his gloves this summer, aged 67.

Webster (pictured above left with fitness-coach Andy Liddell) first worked with the Blues under George Burley - when he coached Richard Wright as he came through the ranks - and having followed the Scot to Derby, Hearts and Southampton, returned to Portman Road to join Paul Jewell’s staff and stayed at the club after Mick McCarthy took charge.

Born in Doncaster, Webster was with Arsenal, Fulham, Southend and Cambridge during a 16-year playing career.

“It is hitting me now and it is emotional,” he told iFollow Ipswich after joining the rest of the squad and staff on the end-of-season lap of appreciation on which he was accompanied by his granchildren.

“I am a quiet guy. I just get on with my job but I feel it now. It only really hit me on the pitch at the end. Tony Pulis and the Middlesbrough lads came up and wished me the best.

“Their kitman came over as well and said as it was my last game and gave me a shirt.

MALCOLM WEBSTER!!
Today is the last match before his retirement! A man that has developed and helped so many Goalies and players! His knowledge,wisdom and commitment to his Goalies is unbelievable! A guy who will be missed @Official_ITFC @twtduk– richard wright (@wrightys1) May 6, 2018

"Things like that mean a lot. It was a great to go out on a good game for the club as well.

“I have had a great time over the 50 years and I’m happy with what I have achieved.

🎥 | We spoke with Malcolm Webster after he was in the dugout for the final time this afternoon...

Happy retirement, Mally! 👏 pic.twitter.com/yzSDy6tM7C

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) May 6, 2018

"I’m happy with all the keepers I have worked with and the people I have worked with at the club here. That is what has made it special.”

Thank u Mally. I owe u a lot. It has been absolutely pleasure working with u. You’ve always been here for me. I’m gonna miss u my friend🙌❤️ pic.twitter.com/SwYELUytMD– Bartosz Bialkowski (@1BartMan1) May 6, 2018

Photos: TWTD/Action Images

Swn98 added 17:12 - May 6 Happy and long retirement Malcolm
19

blueboy1981 added 17:15 - May 6 Great servant to our Club - many thanks, and a happy retirement from us all.
14

midastouch added 17:16 - May 6 They say there's no such thing as a job for life in this day and age but that's not proven the case for Malcolm, 50 years as a goalkeeper and then as a goalkeeper coach. That's fantastic going. A lot of people can work 50 years in jobs they care very little for, whereas Malcolm has been lucky enough to spend 50 years in jobs I bet mostly made him want to jump out of bed in the morning, now surely that's a success by any stretch of the imagination. Enjoy your retirement Malcolm, well deserved. Thanks for everything you've given to ITFC.

17

brassy added 17:45 - May 6 happy retirement Malcom and thankyou.
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Ftnfwest added 17:58 - May 6 Used to watch him play for Cambridge in the 70s. Handy keeper he was too. Very happy retirement Malcolm.
11

blue75 added 18:06 - May 6 Enjoy your retirement you've earned it. You're going to be a hard man to replace.
11

howdonblue added 18:19 - May 6 Happy retirement Malcolm . Thanks for your fantastic service
10

Suffolkboy added 19:28 - May 6 Can only compliment MW on his dedicated professionalism and unending enthusiasm ; if anyone deserves a long and happy retirement ,then no one has more earned it than him !
6

jas0999 added 20:58 - May 6 Thank you. All the very best in your retirement.
4

Bad_Boy_Mark added 21:33 - May 6 A wonderful servant to our club! Congratulations on your retirement! You'll be sorely missed - thank you for such hard work, loyalty and longevity! Long live the King!
5

lightingblue added 08:16 - May 7 Enjoy your retirement Malcolm. Now similar to the managers role, the club has an important decision to make with this role. I hope the club has used Malcolm's experience and knowledge to recruit our next goalkeeper coach. Again enjoy your free weekends with your family now and a nice glass of wine on midweek fixtures with your dear wife. They are the unsung heroes. Finally I hope the club welcome you back if and when you want to come and watch a game or 2 in the future. People like you deserve the free hospitality treatment. Anyway good luck and god bless

3

cat added 08:29 - May 7 Congratulations and best wishes to ‘Mal' on his retirement. Was lucky enough to meet him on numerous occasions and his then deputy Richard Keys (not the hairy hands tw@ off the Beln sports channel Lol) when I was on the books of one of his previous clubs for a short period. Quality chap.
3

ChrisFelix added 12:13 - May 7 I have always cosidered Phil Parkes to be the person who coached & bought Richard Wright through. Webster has however served our club well
0

martin587 added 13:41 - May 7 Great servant to the club and a fantastic goalkeeper coach.Will be a great lose to the club.A long and happy retirement Malcolm.
3

Seasider added 21:56 - May 7 If Bart is an example,then Malcolm has done a damn good job,and deserves a long and happy retirement,as I have been lucky and privileged to enjoy All the best Mally
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