Blues U18s coach Alan Lee is to front a new link between Town and Culford School while continuing his role at the club's Playford Road academy.

Lee, 39, is set to split his time between the Blues' youth set-up and running a new football programme at the school, which is close to his West Suffolk home.

“As an opportunity for me, I just felt I couldn’t turn it down,” the former Republic of Ireland international striker told the Bury Free Press.

“I am really excited to be at the start of something special and to be able to play a part in building it up.

“I love working for Ipswich and I am not leaving Ipswich, this is very much a partnership. I will still be working with the youth team and the age teams and the strikers, as I have been for the last couple of years.”

Dave Watkin, Culford’s assistant head, says the new venture builds on already existing programmes.

“We have been allowing pupils to combine their academic aspirations with their sporting ambitions for about 15 years now, in terms of tennis, golf and swimming here, and this is an addition to that portfolio of sport,” he said.

“It is very much about children joining the school, who are academically ambitious, but then being able to combine those academic ambitions with a real top quality football programme.”

Regarding the Blues, he added: “Ipswich Town have been fantastically supportive with what they are doing and they have identified Alan as the right man to lead and establish this programme and that is going to be hugely exciting.

“But we have got autonomy and control on the education and football we deliver to the pupils, and that is where I think we are distinctive and different to one or two other schools in the area.”

Photo: TWTD

Seasider added 14:54 - May 14 Good that we are establishing links with local schools,and pleased for Alan;hope it boosts his income as well;although cant be in two places at once. Public schools are where the game started in the 19th century,surprised that Dave Watkin hasn't mentioned Rugby;as I don't know of any Public School that doesn't promote 'Rugger'. Just saying as 3 of my grandchildren play this;but I still follow the 'working mans' game,as when I was young only the 'Posh Boys'played with the oval ball.

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Pinewoodblue added 15:04 - May 14 Surprise Phil didn't squeeze in a mention of Motty.
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Jesney_Havoc added 15:17 - May 14 Wasn't Culford John Motson's old school ?
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sotd78 added 15:34 - May 14 When I went there we were not allowed to play Association Football. Times change!
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oldburian added 19:28 - May 14 Yes, John Motson was there at the time I was a pupil at KEGS Bury St. Edmunds. It was only the prep school that played Ass football, our u12's in the first year always played them home and away, after that we only played Culford at cricket as rugby was all important.
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EatonBlue added 19:41 - May 14 Seasider - the grammar school that I attended (in Felixstowe) had a rule that you were not allowed to bring a football to school, let alone kick one! Rugby was the only option - apart from cross-country running when the weather was unsuitable for rugger.
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1966 added 20:07 - May 14 Yes , John Motson Mentioned That Ipswich we're Linking Up with His Old School . He also Mentioned his Father Taking Him to Watch Alf Ramsey's Team in 60's . Nice to Hear ITFC Mentioned on Radio 2 Today by Motty. Top Man !
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