Former Blues midfielder Flynn Downes says Town fans don’t know the full story of his departure in the summer of 2021 when he made a £1.4 million move to Swansea City.

Academy product Downes made his first competitive return to Portman Road with Southampton on Monday and was booed by some of his old supporters during the Blues’ dramatic last-gasp 3-2 victory over the Saints, with whom the 25-year-old is spending the season on loan from West Ham.

Downes was among the players made to train with the U23s during pre-season ahead of 2021/22 as manager Paul Cook sought to make it clear who he wanted to remain part of his squad as he cleared the decks in his famous ‘demolition man’ summer.

“The fans have absolutely no idea,” Downes told BBC Radio Solent when asked about the booing.

“The manager didn't want me at the time I left, he put me with the U23s team, what did they want me to do?”

The 25-year-old added: “It does wind me up a little bit, the fans don't know the full story of what happened at Ipswich.

“They got sell-on fees after I left [when he joined West Ham from Swansea in 2022 for £9 million, understood to be 20 per cent of profit] and money for my sale. It is what it is though, fans are fans.”

Downes admitted he was still recovering from Monday’s defeat to his old club, a result which almost certainly ended his current loan side’s hopes of winning automatic promotion.

“I find it hard to get over tough results,” the Brentwood-born schemer admitted.

“I'm still recovering to be honest, it takes me a good few days mentally to put it to bed.”

Southampton face an improving Blackburn Rovers side at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Photo: Matchday Images

Dissboyitfc added 06:56 - Apr 6 His attitude wouldnt be accepted at this club now. Even this little outburst would have been noticed by the club who research a players media activity and no player will (hopefully) get signed if they have an attitude! He was very good against us for an hour, but these days perfvormance on the pitch is only a part of playing for the town!
1

bobble added 07:13 - Apr 6 he sounds bitter ... he is a lucky man to be earning so much money playing football when others are being killed going about their daily work in Palestine and many other parts of the world. he comes across as a spoilt brat filled with his own self importance ..... maybe he should have stayed in premier league with all the others of such ilk..
1

Bazza8564 added 08:54 - Apr 6 Would have suggested he just kept his thoughts to himself if he wants to put the record straight, comments like this will just make it worse. To be honest Ive long since forgotten about him....
1

virginblue added 09:00 - Apr 6 Some of the comments are hilarious as usual. We all heard Cook’s nonsense when he was in charge - I wouldn’t have wanted to play for that clown either. He’s right - we ended up with decent money for him, that money played a huge part in getting us where we are. Yet apparently he’s not allowed to say that.
0

ipswichone added 11:50 - Apr 6 I totally understand where flyn downed is coming from.Paul cook tried to do a hatchet job on Ipswich, removing lots of players,some of them good,to play at trying to be a good manager,bringing in a totally new squad.that wasn't the remedy for Paul cook,as he didn't have a clue how to manage them.thank god he was sacked as soon as he was,or we would have headed for league two or worse.now we have a top class manager,who sir bobby Robson would be proud of.Ipswich is buzzing,and hopefully have much more to look forward too,with our remarkable manager kieran mckenna

0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls