Town boss Kieran McKenna has paid tribute to defender Janoi Donacien, who was at Playford Road for the last time yesterday saying his goodbyes ahead of his move to League Two Chesterfield.

TWTD revealed on Tuesday that the 31-year-old St Lucia international is close to joining the Spireites, who are managed by former Blues boss Paul Cook, on a deal to the end of the season.

Donacien was released by the Blues in the summer after six eventful years at the club having missed most of last season with a groin injury but remained at Town as he worked on getting back to full fitness.

McKenna says the Luton-raised defender, who joined the Blues from Accrington during Paul Hurst’s spell as boss ahead of 2018/19, will be missed by all at Town.

“Janoi said his goodbyes in here yesterday to the group and to the staff and quite emotional really because he’s a fantastic person, is loved by everyone here, loved by the supporters as well,” he said.

“He has a brilliant story at the club really, sort of summarises the highs and the lows from arriving and then having a really difficult first season.

“The resilience that he’s shown then in the more difficult times at the club, to be out on loan twice [back to Accrington and to Fleetwood] but to keep coming back and giving his best.

“And then to come full circle, to get back in the team pretty regularly before I arrived and then he played in my first game and had such a massive part in the promotion from League One.

“He also had a big part to play in the squad last year. Started the season really well at right-back, then unfortunately had injuries throughout the season, so wasn’t able to play as much as we would have liked to have had him play, but had a massive part to play behind the scenes.

“Just a great guy, positive energy, great vibe all the time, really good in the dressing room and has written his place in the history of the football club, like so many others in that group.

“He had his operation in the summer, which is thankfully fixed now, the issue that he missed last season with, so he’s been in a pretty good position health-wise this season.

“Has trained with us for the last few months. Apart from one or two little minor side issues, his fitness has been great, he’s looked good in training and he’s just really keen to go out and get some games now.

“So I think he’s going to go and do that at Chesterfield, hopefully, I believe that’s close to completion, and will be sorely missed around the building.

“But he also leaves with great fondness, great memories and having had a big part to play in the club and I know for a fact, like so many others in the group that he’s been with for the last few years, will always be welcome at the club in the years to come.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Churchman added 19:20 - Jan 10 Well said KM. Good player and terrific character who has contributed an awful lot in his time here. I hope he has as many years as he wants in the professional game. He will always be welcome back here, I’m sure.
1

suffolkpunch1978 added 19:56 - Jan 10 It's always sad when a player that has served this club so well departs. He has always been professional and worked so hard since coming to this club and I will remember him as one of the players that helped turn a page in our history that lets face it wasn't great. Thanks Janoi . Hopefully you will come back at some point in whatever roll.
1

muccletonjoe added 19:56 - Jan 10 Best of luck JD
1

muccletonjoe added 19:56 - Jan 10 Best of luck JD
0

Treacle added 20:53 - Jan 10 Underrated & wish we could have had him now at his best. Good luck & Thank you.
1

BuckieBlue added 21:12 - Jan 10 Always good to see class comments on here from others wishing departing players all the best. Ok Janoi is going down a few levels but maybe promotion this season? Cook seems to have found a club he can thrive in too.
1

TimmyH added 21:40 - Jan 10 Goodbye Janoi...always felt you were a good one on one defender. Wish you all the best at Chesterfield a level you're easily good enough to play in.
1

BlueWax added 22:16 - Jan 10 Thanks for being a big part of our amazing journey JD. All the very best to you.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 22:19 - Jan 10 Good luck Janoi and thanks for all your effort helping us to where we are now.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 22:19 - Jan 10 Good luck Janoi and thanks for all your effort helping us to where we are now.
0

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 05:57 - Jan 11 Good luck, Janoi. @gsoly and others that give kudos to Kieran and the club for allowing him to train with us - sorry to say, it's not goodwill it's the rules. Clubs have to allow out of contract players that are injured to rehab and train until fit. Which is fair, can't cut off an injured players from resources.
0

grow_our_own added 08:26 - Jan 11 Janoi was immense in our L1 promotion season. I've never seen such an attacking centre-back. It was ridiculous how much of the pitch he covered. Like a CB crossed with a right-winger. His assists and corners won must have been off the chart for a centre-back. Burns and him were telepathic. Could easily have won PotY.
1

pablo123 added 23:17 - Jan 11 All the very best JD , super guy and brilliant player for us at a vital time in our rise up the leagues !! Massive love and respect fella
0

PremierBlue added 13:55 - Jan 12 Quality guy, with accountability all round. The type that keeps things honest and smooth. Keep building with those qualities and all will be well, whatever you do. Thanks for your service and farewell.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls