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Chambers: A Fantastic Journey
Friday, 14th May 2021 21:49

Exiting Blues skipper Luke Chambers says his time at Town has been a fantastic journey and one that he’s proud of but admits that it's still to fully sink in that he's moving on and wasn't expecting to leave this summer.

Chambers, 35, joined the Blues on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2012 during Paul Jewell’s time as boss and went on to make 395 start and one sub appearance for Town, most of them wearing the captain’s armband.

“It's been a surreal few days, but everything in football comes to an end and there are rarely fairytales,” the Kettering-born centre-half told iFollow Ipswich in a lengthy interview.

“The way it's happened is a little bit disappointing, but it's only really when you leave a role or a place of work that people show their appreciation.

“The messages and phone calls I have received from not just friends and family but people in football that you wouldn't even think of has been pretty overwhelming.

“It probably hasn't sunk in that I've worked my last day here, but my time at the club has been a fantastic journey and it's one that I am very proud of. I'm proud of my contribution to the football club and I think most people you speak to would echo that.”

He admits he wasn’t anticipating his time at Town ending at this point.

“To be brutally honest I didn't think I would be leaving the club this summer,” he continued. “We'd had conversations in the past and I don't feel it's the right time for me to leave but that is out of my hands.


“You can't dwell on it, though, otherwise it'll eat you away inside. I'm sure I have unfinished at the football club so potentially in the future, who knows what is around the corner.

“For now I want to continue playing but the feeling I have in me is that this club and place is going to be very difficult to beat. I have to be excited about whatever is next for me.

“My wife and parents and children say 'you must be so sad' and I say 'yeah I am, but football goes on’.

“The club will continue without me and in a couple of months fans will be excited about new signings and by that point I will have started my new chapter.

“I could have been playing in front of the fans on the last day of the season and it would have been great, but that's not the case and behind the scenes I have still had a really positive reception.

“My love for the club has grown from day one to where it is now, and now it's time for me to take my experiences into my next chapter.”

Like his friend Cole Skuse, also leaving the club this summer after a long spell at Town, Chambers cites the 2014/15 play-off season as the most memorable of his nine years at Portman Road.

“The play-offs season was fantastic when you look at the players we had in that squad and what the manager was able to put together with the resources he had.

“If we had been able to capitalise on our position at Christmas time then things might have been very different, and we probably wouldn't be sitting where we are now.

“The Charlton game was brilliant when Noel [Hunt] came on and scored. They [Sky] stuck a camera in our faces 30 seconds after we had just won the game in injury time with 4,000 proper Ipswich fans in the away end so that was a good moment and what a day that was. It's unfortunate that we missed out to that lot up the road.”

Chambers, who has been tipped to move to Colchester United this summer, thanked fans for making him feel at home and sharing so many post-match celebrations.

“Just thank you for taking to me from day one really,” the one-time Northampton defender added. “They demanded the fist pump which became quite iconic and it's a shame we didn't see it on better occasions sometimes.

“But it's been a hell of a ride and I thank everyone that has been a part of it and everyone that has supported me.

“Yes, in football you always have your critics and sometimes you don't appreciate what you've got until it's gone, but thanks to everyone for making me feel at home and allowing me to live my life so well in the area.

“I hope I've been a good guy at this football club and a good player and thank you to everyone because it's something I will never forget.”


Photo: Matchday Images



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Stato added 22:11 - May 14
Thank you skip
14

clbalaam added 22:13 - May 14
Regardless of what people think in term of his quality on the pitch, he has been a fantastic and loyal captain overall that has shown a passion to the club rarely seen in others.
All the best Chambo.
19

ringwoodblue added 22:13 - May 14
A fantastic servant to the club but even though he feels like it was a fantastic journey, he never really arrived
0

Bluearmy_81 added 22:32 - May 14
Chambo always gave his all and has blood is as blue as anyone on here. Thanks for all your efforts Chambo, all the best
19

budgieplucker added 22:40 - May 14
Thank you Luke, you have shouldered a lot of the criticism for the team and been a magnate for the boo boys to have a pop at. Football isn't always about being the best player on the pitch and you didn't pick the team or sign the players.

Most genuine Ipswich fans will remember you for being a genuinely nice bloke but a bloody good captain as well and a top ten servant games wise.

I really hope you can find a club where you can enjoy your last season or two and hopefully this will freshen things up for you. Sorry the circumstances prevented us genuine fans not being able to show our appreciation. All in all the club needs a different direction and a fresh playing philosophy so hopefully you will recognise this move for you is probably the best possible outcome for both parties notwithstanding you probably could have made some contribution had you been awarded another year, but you gave it your all under a well intended but restrictive and occasionally misguided Marcus Evans regime.

Bye for now and see you back sometime at Portman Road where you will always be warmly welcomed.
29

Suffolkboy added 22:41 - May 14
How can we adequately say ‘thank you ‘ to a marvellous player,team motivator ,dedicated and loyal member of our squad ?
Would it not be gracious and fitting if the Club could see the way to perhaps a joint testimonial for he and Cole Skuse ? BUT of course in front of spectators at Portman Road !
COYB
13

jabberjackson added 22:47 - May 14
I feel very sad that Chambo never got to celebrate the promotion or Wembley appearance that his dedication and commitment to Ipswich so richly deserved.
7

cobsterblue added 22:59 - May 14
Thanks Chambo for being a fantastic servant to ITFC. All you can ever ask of someone is to try there best and you certainly did that and more. I will miss the fist pumps and your pre match warm up run and clap in front of each side of the sir Bobby Robson stand. Didn't want you to leave the club and hopefully you will be back at ITFC sometime in the future. All the best in your next chapter. Top man.
11

westernblue added 00:39 - May 15
Many thanks are owed to Luke Chambers. Too many of Town's managers opted for negativity by reverting to playing him at right back - how odd that with such a large squad right back never seemed to be a management priority (KVY, though in his case hardly having played so far, apart). As for Chambers, he can rightly be proud of his many contributions to our club. A quality defender, especially at centre back. A fine captain. An excellent ream mate, respected throughout the game. A lot of stuff has been thrown at the players lately. Some justified. But a lot of it has served to deflect from managerial deficiencies (too early to judge PC). But surely all can agree that Luke Chambers was wholly committed to the cause, at all times. All the very best, mate.
9

stiff_talking added 03:42 - May 15
Wonder who Jewell promised to sign that brought Chambo to ITFC?

Charlie Austin, Billy Sharpe, George Boyd?

0

London_Blue added 06:44 - May 15
I had the pleasure of meeting Sally Webb on a few occasions and she had told me that Charlie Austin had the paperwork in front of him to sign, a deal having been agreed. At the very last minute Simon Clegg decided he could get a better deal and asked Austin and his team to return in 24 hours to finalise the deal. The next morning he signed for QPR.

Needless to say, she wasn't Cleggs biggest fan!
1

London_Blue added 06:47 - May 15
Luke, not sure you ever read these forums but not much to add that hasn't already been said, an amazing servant to the club and I can only wish you every success for the future, hopefully back at Ipswich in a coaching/Manager capacity because you certainly have the personal qualities to succeed in either role.
7

Cakeman added 07:38 - May 15
All the very best Luke. Your efforts on and off the pitch were commendable and you always gave and expected nothing less than 100% and that's all anyone can ask.
If Town had a few more lion hearts like you we would not be sitting in league One!
I think it was time for a drastic change and as you mentioned it's now time to look forward.
Once again all the very best.
2

Ipswich1970 added 08:32 - May 15
I kind of think that is half the problem Chambo. You still expected to be here. Why? You are slow & make error after error, game after game, so why do you assume that is good enough for Ipswich Town? A loyal servant to the club, absolutely. Best of luck for the future.
1

GSH71 added 09:01 - May 15
Trouble is all first team going or being booted out , it will be a new team i think in my opinion it will go to crap now , no matter how much you have to spend you need some of the side to stay , look what happened to Paul the guy who managed Shrewsbury can't remember his name , all downhill when waghorn went and garner .
1

stanley added 09:49 - May 15
Just to say thanks to Chambo,for all his time at Ipswich,Hope the future is good for you & your family. Hope one day to see you back at Ipswich in some role, You are a true Blue.
4

Gonefishing added 09:52 - May 15
A fantastic journey from the upper reaches of the Championship to mid table Division 1.
3

brittaniaman added 10:04 - May 15
GH71: You are referring to Paul Hurst ? The same guy who has just relegated Grimsby out of the Football league ???
I am surprised that Grimsby have kept him and his Deputy Dawg on, I suppose they must be a cheap option now ??
3

Moisha added 10:27 - May 15
GSH71, the flaw in your argument though, is that Hurst took a team that finished mid table and replaced those players with lower league players, hence that is where we are.
At Pompey and Wigan, Cook signed a whole new squad and got them promoted.
He will do the same here… hopefully!!

PS. Good luck Chambo, sad as it is, but right time to move on.
3

Ipswichbusiness added 11:36 - May 15
I wish him luck wherever he goes.

However, he and Skuse went on two years too long. That he expected to stay even longer is part of the problem with this club.
5

blues1 added 13:26 - May 15
London blue. Dont k ow who told u about the Charlie austin story but that is rubbish. Yes, he did agree terms with us. And was going to sign. But Eddie Howe came in for him and took him to burnley , who he signed doe. Not qpr.
1

blues1 added 13:26 - May 15
*signed for
0

Monkey_Blue added 15:55 - May 15
If you watch the video it clear Cook led him on about next season then dumped him. I'm still baffled by how poor Cook's man management has been. It's like he doesn't understand human beings. Chambers deserved honesty as does everyone rather than this ridiculous X-factor style power show. If you don't treat people with respect it's hard to demand that from the players who are left.
-5

blueboy1981 added 16:00 - May 15
Anyone who claims to be an ITFC Supporter, and who doesn't appreciate what Chambo has done for this Club, not just on the pitch, but behind the scenes too - are only pretending as a Supporter of our Club.
Just look at how many seasons now Chambo's defence has been under constant pressure thro' the inability of the rest to even score a SINGLE goal - which in itself this season alone would have turned every 0-0 draw into another two points on each occasion, and put us well into play off position.
Chambo has done a fantastic job for this Club of ours - and I thank him sincerely for every bit of his integrity and professionalism. A fine Club Captain.
He deserves to be wished well by all.
-5

docsavage52 added 16:29 - May 15
All the best Luke, you will be missed, how many times when you were not in the squad did people say” if Chambo was playing that would not have happened”. So thank you for your leadership on the pitch and off and all the best for the future to you and the family.
-6


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