Former Blues midfielder Alan Judge says it was only on Thursday morning that he was made aware of the contract situation which led to his shock departure later that day.

Judge, 32, had made 29 League One starts for the Blues this season with a 30th automatically triggering another year on his deal, something the club didn’t want to do.

“Now that I’ve had a few days to think and to just let things settle,” Judge wrote on Twitter. “With the last year that I’ve had, this is not the way I wanted to end my time at Ipswich Town but this is football.

“In all honesty, nothing surprises me anymore in this industry. I was made aware of my contract situation on Thursday morning, that if I played one more game from the start my contract would be extended.

“We both came to the agreement that there was no point in risking our position from both sides’ perspective.

“Me and my family have built up a great life here and met some lovely people at Ipswich in and out of the club.

We have thoroughly enjoyed living in Suffolk. We now await our next adventure wherever that may take us.”

In total, the Republic of Ireland international made 75 starts and 16 sub appearances for Town, scoring eight times, having signed for a nominal fee from Brentford in January 2019.

Speaking about Judge’s departure on Friday, manager Paul Cook said: “Alan will be moving on this summer with my best wishes. In my short time at the club, Alan was an absolute pleasure to work with, a pleasure.

“He's a very infectious young man and he loves his football, he's a very, very strong character and personality around the club. Going forward, I wish him well.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Linkboy13 added 14:46 - Apr 19 Clearly his age was a big factor in him leaving the club as there are far worse players than him at the club for example Andre Dozzell who has offered virtually nothing in terms of creating or scoring goals. Hope Judgey finds a club really soon and wish him and his family all the best for the future.
24

pennblue added 14:46 - Apr 19 Thank you Alan Judge for your efforts this season. For me, you have been our best performer this season.
9

itsonlyme added 14:51 - Apr 19 Should have been allowed one more season, if only to play mostly from the bench. The young guns would certainly have benefited. He was probably our best player this season, which I know, does not say much.
7

TractorFrog added 15:07 - Apr 19 Thank you Alan Judge, for a good spell at Ipswich Town. I wouldn't say he was our best player this season, but since the start of 2021 he has probably been our best attacking player. I wish him good luck for the future.
10

atty added 15:09 - Apr 19 Yep shame it had to happen that way particularly in view of the year has had but surprised he wasn't aware of the contract situation. He would have signed!
0

brendenward35 added 15:19 - Apr 19 All the very best Allan, I know you had a few family issues and credit to you to still carry on playing football through those times. I'm sure you will find another club and do really well for yourself. Good luck and continue to enjoy your football.
13

coolcat added 15:37 - Apr 19 Wishing Alan Judge and his family all the best for the future. Agree with above comment re the handling of his departure. He had to deal with some challenging family issues throughout this season. Can't have been easy during a pandemic 👍
10

have_a_word_with_him added 15:40 - Apr 19 Can't say I've ever seen a game during Judge's tenure where he was man of the match, for his reputation and supposed quality I definitely expected more from him in League 1
4

BotesdaleBlue added 15:55 - Apr 19 This senario has happened before in football and will happen again whilst these appearance triggers are put into players' contracts. Both sides must have been happy with and therfore agreed the contract at the time the contract was signed. Having said all of that, my personal view is that it still is not a nice way to end a career at a club and I have some sympathy with Judge's sentiment, as outlined in the story headline.

6

grow_our_own added 16:02 - Apr 19 "Not the way I wanted to end my time at Town" - Luke Hyam made that inevitable Alan. Should have happened 50 games ago.
-8

blueboy1981 added 16:18 - Apr 19 Thank you Alan Judge, you came back well from a terrible injury sustained here at Portman Road, and overcame that memory so well. A far better player than many of those around you in the team, no names mentioned, but there for anyone who understands the game, to see. At 32 it has to be realised that his next contract as a player will be his most important, and possibly last - that is why not only was it all in the interest of the Club, but player equally. Alan has to be looking for a two year deal if possible, which I am sure he will find no doubt. Alan Judge has admiring Managers in this game - rightly so to. All Best Wishes for the future Judgy. 👍

8

multiplescoregasms added 16:21 - Apr 19 Can understand letting him go under the circumstance. However, it will be interesting to see who else is on the way out of the club. AJ was most certainly not our worst player/midfielder, and for me it will be disappointing not to see them also go. Alright Andre?
2

Suffolkboy added 16:22 - Apr 19 Still has more to offer the game ; we haven't seen him anywhere near full throttle in a blue ITFC shirt, but wish he and his family every good wish possible and hope they'll find a new Club and home quickly COYB
4

chepstowblue added 16:30 - Apr 19 Certainly a quicker football brain than most in our squad but the legs were unable to keep up. A terrific player at Brentford, but due to one of our own he's been unable to reproduce that level of performance with us. Without doubt still worthy of a few more seasons at this level so will probably be lining up against us next season. Wishing him well.
5

senduntd added 16:43 - Apr 19 Very sad end for a great player brought about by our player who broke Alan's leg in a very dubious tackle. Strange that Lukes career has ended in an injury.
2

cat added 17:26 - Apr 19 Best wishes Judgy and I won't be saying that too many, There should be no room for sentimentally on here cause this bunch have let us and themselves down big time. I hope that all the 30+ are released, unless of course they have made themselves far to valuable in the ‘bowels' of ITFC I.e offering accommodation, becoming a first aider, taking a physio course or just being a complete ass wipe lol

2

bluesince76 added 18:42 - Apr 19 Not our worst player that's for sure best of luck for future.
4

Ipswichbusiness added 18:45 - Apr 19 The Club knew that one more start would trigger a contract extension (as did he). The Club took the view that he wasn't worth retaining and told him so. It happens, both parties move on.
1

Drifter3012 added 18:54 - Apr 19 I don't think he ever found his previous form at ITFC but it wasn't helped by the fact that he was played all over the shop by Lambert. I did always think that he had the ability to do something but it just didn't come off enough. Hope he goes on and finds another contract elsewhere. However hope he doesn't end up lining up against us next season as he is bound to score a couple.

3

1psw1ch added 20:57 - Apr 19 Best of luck for the future Alan,,,,clubs been a shambles for years so hard to settle in and do the bizz
3

wilnisfan added 01:11 - Apr 20 He can still make sub appearances because it is only about the number of starts. A bit strange to release him early unless he wanted to be, which he says he didn't....
0

dirtydingusmagee added 07:50 - Apr 20 surely he must have been aware of that !,anyway good luck to him, there are worse players that must now follow .
0

Barty added 08:07 - Apr 20 Good Luck Alan
0

dubblue added 13:45 - Apr 20 Best of luck Alan shame it to end this way. One of the better players for Town this season. There have to be other players who follow they know who they are!
0

ESSEX75 added 18:41 - Apr 20 Blub Blub another member of the squad to get money under false pretences good riddance
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls