Town skipper Luke Chambers has signed a new two-year deal with the Blues. The 33-year-old’s current contract was due to end in the summer, although Town had an option for a further season.

“Obviously I’m delighted to be a part of the club’s future for another two years,” said Chambers, who has made 313 starts and one sub appearance, scoring 15 goals, since joining Town in the summer of 2012 after leaving tomorrow's opponents Nottingham Forest.

“I’ve made no secret of the fact that as long as I can play, I want to be here - and maybe beyond that as well.

“I have spoken to [owner] Marcus [Evans] regularly over the last month or so and the manager has shown his support for me and it’s good to get things sorted, for my family as well.

“I’m 33 but to me that is just a number. I feel as fit as I have ever done. I want to play every game here over the next two years. I want to play beyond that.

“I’ve got close on 700 appearances in my career and I want to get to 800 and more. Nothing will drive me on more than to play my part in making a success of this team over the next two years.

“I’m proud to play for this club. I’m proud to be skipper. The club has been a massive part of my career and I want to leave here and people can look back and say, ‘Yeah, he was a good guy to have here’.”

Photo: TWTD

BlueandTruesince82 added 09:16 - Mar 16 He ought to dominate in L1, we will see. What I do know is we do need experience if we build around the youngsters next year.... he has a mistake in him every game but L1 should give him more time and so I see the logic....
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afcfee added 09:20 - Mar 16 Spence was really loyal give him a new contract at once..
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DebsyAngel added 09:21 - Mar 16 Excellent! I am pleased he is staying. We need that leadership for next season more than ever before. Well done Luke!
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afcfee added 09:21 - Mar 16 Gerken has been so loyal as well he should be our no.1
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jas0999 added 09:25 - Mar 16 Very mixed opinions on here. I'm personally pleased for Chambers and it's great to have a player who wants to play for ITFC. whether or not he is good enough now is another question. He's not had a good season.
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TraktorBoyz added 09:35 - Mar 16 Chambers has been hit and miss so not that bad, Surely we won't offer Skuse one though as has been shockingly bad this year.
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afcfee added 09:40 - Mar 16 Shouldn't we be asking if they're good enough before if they 'want to play for us'.
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warwickblue added 09:42 - Mar 16 I'm absolutely delighted by this news. The influence Chambers has at the club, on and off the field - and right down to junior level, is immeasurable.
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blueboy1981 added 09:54 - Mar 16 Having slept on this - the Club and Chambers were at a crossroads with this decision. Next season, and for any rebuild going forward, we need integrity from players for sure - Chambers oozes it from head to toe, and a two year contract now doesn't necessarily mean he will consistently play for that period of time, if he proves he is not good enough - what it does do is keep his integrity within the Club, and at 35 an ideal age to commence a Coaching role within. This has to be the Club's thinking behind this - good move by the Club. Chambers himself just had to obtain a contract (States, or elsewhere) for the next couple of years - he has made it clear that when he finishes playing he wants to move into Coaching / Management - this contract ideally sets him up to do that. All things considered, and slept on - Good move by Club and Player, is my opinion. We need to retain ITFC Pedigree within the Club - Chambers has that for sure.

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Bert added 10:16 - Mar 16 Mixed views from posters but if anyone thinks we can play in League One with a shed load of talented youngsters but with no role models or good pros around then then they are mistaken. Chambers is unlikely to play every game but this is a good move. Sorry to say it but Bart this year has made more mistakes than Chambers that have led to goals. Gerken should therefore be offered new terms and compete for the position with Bart, assuming Bart remains loyal to the club

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osborne1nil added 10:27 - Mar 16 I wonder if those that are slating Chambers have considered the poor defence he has had around him this season? Pennington I feel has been the strongest of our defenders this year but if you consider all the others he has had to cover around him, it hasn't helped. Saying that, he has certainly had better seasons and a scored a few goals from corners, sadly lacking by the whole team this year. As a captain, I think it is fair to say that he is the best Town have had since Matty Holland and his desire for Ipswich to do well is obvious. Hoping for good things from the team under PL next year and feel he can be a key part of that. Well done Luke.

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Hiltzkooler added 10:32 - Mar 16 Loyalty, passion, caring massively about the club, fighting to get it right...the man is not just simply taking a pay cheque to eek out his final playing days...the man does not shy from his responsibilities as a captain and player...I will take all of those attributes from Chambers ....and most employers would too...it means something in this day and age and especially in football. For one, I am pleased that the deal is done ....it won't drag on and hang over the club distracting from all that needs to be done this summer.....good for ITFC, and good for Chambers and his family.

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blue86 added 10:59 - Mar 16 no doubt that chambers is a good captain and leader, and to a certain level I'm pleased he has signed. however as we have seen he is not a top defender at championship level, especially now he has lost a few yards and he never was the quickest! but he could be important to help us get out of league 1, and if there is one thing i love about luke its that you can tell he really does care. perfect situation for us and him would be to bounce back from league 1 and then hang up his boots, sounds harsh but fair imo. but would be good to have him involved at town in some kind of role after he retires. coyb

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kpblues added 11:01 - Mar 16 PL says he wants to play attacking football so how does Chambers fit into this ? His defensive game is ok with headers and hoofing out but his distribution and tracking back are absolutely awful with his clearances often giving it straight back to the opposition for yet another attack. Off the field he may be great and I don't doubt his enthusiasm for the club but surely he has to do more than that ? Oh and by the way legends are supposed to win something not just be loyal servants.

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Pilgrimblue added 11:01 - Mar 16 Too many of the anti Chambers posts are confusing his past with now. Under MM his strategy was to get rid and let his teammates cope but now under PL he's changing by trying to keep possession and deliver better standard of passing etc. His leadership is first class and will be needed in L 1 as more of our youngsters are brought in to the squad.
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heathen66 added 11:02 - Mar 16 I personally think this is a big big mistake The only real comfort I got from getting relegated was that we could finally rid ourselves of Micks highly paid under achieving foot soldiers. I expect Skusey to follow suit very quickly. BTW, Please don't slate me...I am a loyal servant of the club and have been a supporter for more than 40 years...oh and not paid copious amounts of money to do so.

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heathen66 added 11:04 - Mar 16 2 more years of Skuse to Chambers and HOOF to no-one Unfortunately we now still need an experienced defender to play alongside him as Woolfenden will learn nothing...apart from how to cover and how to take the blame !!!
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Juanforthemoney added 11:20 - Mar 16 I would rather we signed Judge up and made him our captain. Happy to see Chambers made player coach
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blueboy1981 added 11:26 - Mar 16 juanforyourmoney ......... maybe - but Judge is Championship standard at the moment, and truth is he is at this moment only using us as a shop window in terms of performance, and fitness. Quite simply, if he plays until the end of season, he will have proved both to any interested parties, and there will be some. Therefore, for now he wants to play for us - after which he will be interested in whoever offers him the best deal. No more - no less. REALITY.

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ITFCsince73 added 11:33 - Mar 16 After the highs since the Bristol game. This has bought everything down with a bump. Possibly the worst decision made by the club since MM contract extension. I did say after the Bristol game, I had my club back. I now withdraw that statement. I've said previous Chambo will go down as one of,if not, the poorest captains the club has ever had. That statement I stick by. Just a poor poor decision alround. Chambo is a huge reason we are 13 points from safety. After all he is our great team leader. Serious bad move Lambo and Evans.

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Dolphinblue added 11:40 - Mar 16 Fantastic news! Simples!
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ITFCsince73 added 11:46 - Mar 16 Player coach? How can someone coach, who can't play. He can hardly turn to the Wolf and say, just watch videos of me defending and playing. Just copy what you see in my game, and take it to yours. What a joke by the club, we will all see in remaining games this season, what a diabolical decision by whoever made it. Those who say he may not play every game.....wake up, he plays every game, full stop. He will also be our highest paid player, come the new season. And I'll now be shocked if Judge signs long term. A backward step by the club.

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Bluebongo added 12:16 - Mar 16 Good to hear that Chambo has signed for two years. Hope that Skusey signs too.
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Keanos_Barmy added 12:38 - Mar 16 I hope that this doesn't limit Woolfenden's chances next year, but strongly suspect that it will. Had been looking forward to a Woolfenden/Nsiala pairing in central defence.
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blueboy1981 added 12:52 - Mar 16 ITFCsince73 ......... I think you're being optimistic in Judge signing anyway - very much in the Agents shop window for the rest of the season. First Championship Club that comes in for him - he'll sign if the deal is right. Chambers won't hold the Wolf back - biggest incentive a player can have, and it won't be a difficult one for him. Don't let your dislike of Chambers cloud your vision for the future. Such are some of the people on here, they would probably have been more happy if HUWS had been offered and signed a two year extension. It takes allsorts - and not just liquorice !!

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