Striker Macauley Bonne has spoken about his celebration following his winner in yesterday’s 2-1 home victory over Shrewsbury at Portman Road and also why he picked the number 18 at Town.

The 25-year-old headed home what proved to be the decisive goal in the 54th minute - his ninth of the season - before running to the front of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and waving and blowing a kiss to 13-year-old fan Maddy and her family.

Maddy, who has severe cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge last month with pressure building on her brain due to a failing shunt while wearing her Town shirt, which as a result had to be cut open.

Earlier this week, Bonne, who is on loan at his hometown club from QPR, presented her with a new Town shirt ahead of her return to Portman Road for Saturday’s match.

The striker says he has had an emotional week and kissed a tattoo tribute to his late sister Laiken prior to scoring his goal.

“I've got a tattoo on my wrist of my sister's name," he told iFollow Ipswich. “I don't know why but before the corner I just thought 'I'm going to kiss it’.

“I can't wait to see the video back because I kissed it and then I went and scored. We've been working on set pieces and before the game I just had a feeling that I'd score one.

“Especially with how I've been involved with Maddy as well, it's been a good week and an emotional week.

“I went to go and celebrate with her and she had a big smile on her face so it was a nice day.

“I've been involved with a child with disabilities with my sister. Seeing her sat there with a smile brought a lot of warmth to my heart. I can send someone home happy today by doing just a little thing.

“Hopefully she's going to remember this for next time I score - I'll keep doing it now because she's my little lucky charm!”

In an interview with Saturday’s match programme Bonne revealed that he chose to wear the number 18 shirt at Town in memory of his sister.

“When I was a kid and I came on trial at Town I idolised Darren Bent,” he recalled. “He was in Chantry occasionally and I bumped into him a few times.

“I had an ’18 Bonne’ shirt which I wore to my first ever trial here, when it was the Eon shirt.

“Sadly, in 2005, my sister Laiken passed away. Something that was precious to me was Town shirt, so I thought that there was nothing better to give to her to remember me by than that.

“I put the shirt on her chest and she was holding it, so to this day she’s still got it in her arms. Talking about it gives me goosebumps.

“I don’t speak too often about this kind of subject. Seeing Maddy the other day brought it back to me a bit.”

Photo: Matchday Images

ringwoodblue added 10:02 - Oct 10 What a fantastic guy Macauley is both on and off the pitch. He must stay now he has found his Ipswich family again.
37

SouperJim added 10:11 - Oct 10 Beautiful and so brave of Bonne to share something so emotional, top lad
33

BanksterDebtSlave added 10:23 - Oct 10 FFS, I'm in bits!
12

bobble added 10:42 - Oct 10 sounds like a mills and boon epic.
-8

Lordy11 added 10:45 - Oct 10 What a fantastic piece. Bonne is fast becoming an ITFC legend.
9

IPSWICHMOUSE added 10:55 - Oct 10 Macauley Bonne.....Ipswich born & bred [ like me ] has blue blood cursing through his veins...We need to bring him back home permanently where he belongs...Would love him to stay with Towen & progress to the Prem....but wherever he may go in the future , you can take the man out of Ipswich , but you can NEVER take Ipswich out of the man.....COYB...ITID
5

muccletonjoe added 11:13 - Oct 10 So lucky to have a player like this at the club. HAS to be signed permanently imo. Contrast this with some of the players we have had here.
8

slade1 added 11:23 - Oct 10 Top man, simple as that
6

TimmyH added 11:41 - Oct 10 Nice touch...sounds like a pretty genuine fella, don't get too many of those now days.
7

OwainG1992 added 11:55 - Oct 10 Jeez wasn't ready to read that I don't think. What a wonderful human being this man is.
6

Bert added 11:56 - Oct 10 In the words of Bobby Robson “What is a club ? It's the noise, the passion and a sense of belonging” Macauley Bonne has the latter in spades. A true blue, a man who really does belong here and shares his soul with the fans. It's rubbing off on the supporters too as we make the noise, have the passion and have got back that sense of belonging we have all been waiting for.
10

pennblue added 12:12 - Oct 10 What an incredible story. There is no doubt your sister will be looking down on you with immense pride.
5

Whos_blue added 12:28 - Oct 10 In a week where we've seen the other side of football, how uplifting to hear a story of basic human goodness. Now will someone close that window please? There's a bit of grit just blown in here.
7

sir_george_burley added 12:29 - Oct 10 Macauley Bonne seems a very fine and mature young man. His actions and manner here are greatly to his credit. On the radio commentary yesterday ex-England Captain Mick Mills said that Macauley's game and wide range of strikers' skills reminded him of his dear friend Paul Mariner! What wonderful praise that is, and no mistake ...
10

Eddie1985 added 12:56 - Oct 10 Great player, great person, town fan... Let's get him signed permantly he's been the bright spark in a poor season thus far
3

Suffolkboy added 13:38 - Oct 10 Goodness and success ! Essential character and humanity ,plus integrity ; super stuff MB ! COYB
1

Westy added 13:54 - Oct 10 What a great story
3

Vancouver_Blue added 14:18 - Oct 10 Mick Mills on BBC Suffolk compared him to Paul Mariner...can't say more than that
4

eddiespearitt03 added 14:42 - Oct 10 Obviously a man who has compassion for others. Keep doing what ya doing . Top lad.
4

Dissboyitfc added 18:13 - Oct 10 Dont mind admitting, that gave me a tear! Top guy and could be on his way to becoming a legend! Which got me thinking, who was the last real town legend? Someone like Darren bent or Matt Holand perhaps?
4

Karlosfandangal added 18:28 - Oct 10 Paul Mariner was my idol growing up and when ever someone asked me who the best striker was Mariner every time for me Sorry Mr Crawford and Mr Phillips. Think today Mr Bonne is right up there. What an incredible young man we have at this club, such a pity the world is not full of men like him. Excellent to read positive posts and things like this just makes you feel that our club is coming back.

4

potter added 20:13 - Oct 10 If there's to be one signing made in January only it has to be to tie Macauley up on a permanent deal. The bloke is fantastic on and off the pitch. I know Morsey looks to be the captain going forward but I think Bonne would also make a fantastic captain
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:44 - Oct 11 What a lovely, genuine guy. Proud to have him as ”one of our own.”
2

telpajak added 11:14 - Oct 11 This lad has put my passion back in Ipswich town. Complete gentleman! Even brings a tear to my eyes with his emotions on and off the pitch! Get our lad home permanently!
1

SnowyBlue added 14:26 - Oct 11 What a story.... Sat at work on my lunch break often reading this page eagerly waiting for a good read and I've got tears🥺 rolling down my face..... Such a nice bloke who we must sign permanently in January
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