Town have confirmed the appointment of Andy Rolls as director of performance, TWTD having revealed last week that the experienced former Bristol City head of performance was set to join the Blues.

Town say Rolls will “oversee all the medical, strength and conditioning and sports science aspects at the club”.

Rolls, who left his position as head of performance (sports science and medicine) at Ashton Gate last Tuesday, is delighted to have made the move to Portman Road.

“Ipswich is a massive club, what I call a proper football club and with the new owners coming in, it looks a really exciting challenge to be part of,” Rolls told the club site.

“That was the big draw for me, to be in at the start of the journey to try and get this club back to where it deserves to be.

“I obviously know [incoming CEO] Mark [Ashton] well. I know his drive and work ethic and I know how determined he is to make this Club successful and I’m looking forward to being part of that.”

Boss Paul Cook added: “Andy will bring with him new ideas and plenty of experience, having worked in football at the top level for 20 years.

“We wish him a warm welcome to Ipswich Town and I’m sure he will enjoy working at this club as we go into exciting times ahead under the new owners.”
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Rolls had been at Bristol City since June 2018 having previously worked as first-team physio at Arsenal for the previous five years and at West Ham between 2009 and 2013.

Prior to that he spent five years at Watford, where he was physio and head of medicine and also worked under CEO Ashton. Rolls has a BSc in physiotherapy from Teesside University.

As well manager Paul Cook revamping his playing staff over the summer, it's also anticipated that there will be significant changes off the field.

In addition to CEO Ashton, who starts his role at Portman Road on June 1st, Robins head of operations/club secretary Luke Werhun is also set to join the Blues.

As reported a fortnight ago, Town are also set to appoint former left-back Scott Barron as their new head of recruitment.

Photo: ITFC

shefki86 added 11:48 - May 4 Can't say I know much about him but a really impressive CV. Welcome Andy
1

1RWR added 12:04 - May 4 Elmswell_Blue..........exactly my thoughts, unbelieveable! His CV is good, Mark Ashtons CV is good, the new tea lady's CV is good, why are people posting negative thoughts. A new era is about to start, no guarantees granted, but, the outlook is good. How about, the outlook is a bloody site better than it was.....will that help the negs? We've got a chance, a very good chance of getting to the top flight, how about we enjoy the ride for once?

7

dirtydingusmagee added 12:11 - May 4 weve had sod all for years, now action is being taken and STILL we have people knocking it ffs.
10

ronnyd added 12:13 - May 4 Some folk are very averse to change. Even if it's, hopefully, for the better.
1

Cheshire_Blue added 12:22 - May 4 Negative or positive ? Time will tell.
0

Marinersnose added 12:35 - May 4 Very positive news. This lad has a decent CV and the club definitely needs to reduce injuries to players and massively improve their fitness levels which for professional players is poor. I'm sure this will prove to be a very shrewd acquisition
4

itfcserbia added 12:49 - May 4 I guess some people would rather we recruit from Liverpool and Barcelona instead Bristol City. Although they would swap our place with that Bristol City in an instant if offered. Welcome Royce! Yes, I'm gonna call him Royce.
4

JewellintheTown added 13:31 - May 4 You gotta Rolls with it You gotta take your time You gotta say what you say Don't let anybody get in your way 'Cause it's all too much for me to take
0

Bergholtblue added 13:35 - May 4 Now we are sucking diesel!
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Paulc added 13:47 - May 4 Been saying for years that unnecessary injuries have cost us and this has been down to poor strength and conditioning. Let's hope this gets sorted with this appointment. On a less serious note, can we also appoint Simon Royce as GK coach?
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KernewekBlue added 14:10 - May 4 Someone enquired as to the whereabouts/role of Lee O'Neill now that the mass exodus of unwanted players and backroom staff is starting to take place. I may be putting two and together here but, didn't someone else mention previously in this forum that all the hot water urns in the stadium need a damned good clean or refurbishment? Just saying...
1

KernewekBlue added 14:11 - May 4 "two and two"
0

Linkboy13 added 14:13 - May 4 If there is any of the dead wood still at the club come pre season they will not be looking forward to pre season training. I would pay money just to watch them suffering. I think they should allow fans to watch training just to add extra pressure on the players to do that bit more.
1

atty added 14:17 - May 4 Some fans on here eh? We recruit these people from a Championship ckub, people with a good track record, and an experienced Chairman,both in football an£ business and they still moan. This new guy has worked at Aresenal, West Ham Ham and Watford. We're in LG One. O'Leary doing a great job.
4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:52 - May 4 Looks like a great CV, with a load of experience. All points to an excellent appointment. Welcome, Andy!
0

smellmycheese added 15:10 - May 4 You gotta roll with it, you gotta take your time.
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tractorboybig added 15:20 - May 4 all these bristol city nobs coming in.have some relatives who live near bristol and support city, they are glad to see the back of them.......time will tell
-2

Ebantiass added 15:32 - May 4 Even the most miserable of supporters must be feeling a little bit optimistic about the new season. Theres no need to think we will walk the league but with a good start and Cook being backed and sorting out the going through the motions act from the vast majority of players,things could be great next season. I want us challenging and the ethos of the team giving all out on the field. we should never be comfortable in this league.

0

Bazza8564 added 17:09 - May 4 Terrific to see the vast majority of comments are supportive of this appointment. The key statement is that football people consider ITFC to be a "proper club" and they are prepared to leave supposedly higher clubs to join us. Very excited to see this signing, shows our new regime not only mean business, they are prepared to go and best the supposed best and the brightest whilst they are young enough to create something special here again. Well done to the Board!

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Bazza8564 added 17:10 - May 4 Oops get the best
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happybeingblue added 18:12 - May 4 he looks a bit younger than the last fella lamberts mate jim henry was 68 probably why the players didnt do double sessions, as old jim probably wasnt up for it himself :)
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Monkey_Blue added 21:35 - May 4 Is he any good? How has Bristol City benefitted from him being there? We seem To be getting lots of staff from a poor championship side who've struggled despite significant budgets.
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armchaircritic59 added 01:11 - May 6 I would point out that Bristol City have had a pretty horrific season with a mixture of a few injuries and something of a covid crisis, which i doubt has helped much. As some will no doubt tell you, covid can in some instances take a lot of getting over. I say, give all our new guys a chance, then make a judgement.
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