A stripper has alleged that a number of Town players "behaved like animals" at their Christmas party at the end of last year. Tracey Forge, 31, claimed that drunken players ripped her dress and threw beer over her at the bash in Colchester.

The players' do previously hit the headlines after former central defender Titus Bramble fell asleep in a cab on the way home and was unwakeable. The taxi driver dropped him at a police station where he spent the night but was not charged with any offence.

Ms Forge was less than impressed with the players antics at Fred's Bar: "When I got to the restaurant most of the players were pretty drunk. They were really rude and behaved like a bunch of animals.

"They were all grabbing and groping me - it was awful."

She complained to the club who gave her £500 compensation.

George Burley, a known stickler for discipline within his squad, commented: "This incident occurred at a Christmas Party organised, booked and paid for by some of the players. The event took place at an establishment in Colchester and I understand that dancers were booked as part of the evening's entertainment. Not all of the squad was present and neither were any of the coaching staff.

"Subsequently I was made aware that an incident had taken place during which one of the dancer's costumes was damaged.

"This was an unfortunate incident, one that I will not tolerate and the players involved were disciplined at the time.

"The players who attended the event paid compensation for the damage to the dancer's costume and for the distress caused.

"It was made very clear to the players the standards of conduct I expect of them at all times as representatives of Ipswich Town Football Club."

Photo: Action Images

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