Blues forward Conor Chaplin, who returned to his former club Portsmouth on a season-long loan on Monday, says his four years at Town were the best of his career.

The 28-year-old’s departure to return to his boyhood club Pompey was the biggest shock of the final day of the transfer window for Town supporters, not least as Chaplin had started Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Derby County.

Although he has moved to Fratton Park for the season, the Blues can recall him in January and his contract, which is up next summer, has an option for a further season.

Asked how it feels to be back in a Portsmouth shirt, he told the Pompey official website: “Amazing, a bit crazy. It happened a bit fast but feeling really grateful and really excited. It’s been a mad amount of time since I left, so it feels amazing to be back.”

On the move seemingly having come out of the blue, he added: “It’s probably been one where I was more aware than a lot of other people, I know that probably sounds silly to say, but it’s not always the case.

“Going into the game on Saturday and then off the back of Saturday and seeing what Sunday brought and it probably accelerated today [Monday] even quicker and then we’re here now. All worth it.”

Worthing-born Chaplin left Fratton Park for Coventry on loan in August 2018, before making that switch permanent in the following January.

A move to Barnsley followed at the end of that campaign followed before his former Portsmouth boss Paul Cook took him to Ipswich in his Demolition Man summer in 2021.

“It’s probably a decision at the time I knew needed to happen and I needed to make for my career and it turned out to be a good decision, looking back at the last eight years,” he reflected on leaving Fratton Park.

“Probably one that like any young footballer’s career was not plain sailing, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of lessons on the way.

“Probably a very different footballer from the one the fans saw when I was 21 to what I am now. I feel like I’m a senior player now, I’m a more rounded player, I know exactly what I am, I understand exactly what I am as a player, as a teammate, which I think is really important.

“I just want to try and give my best for this football club. I was conscious I wanted to come back to this football club at some point in my career, whenever that may be.

“I didn’t see it being this soon, but really glad that it is because I feel like I’m probably at the best stage as a person and as a player that I’ve ever been, so I’m excited to give that best version of myself to the football club.”

Asked to reflect on his time at Town in which he won back-to-back promotions, a number of personal honours and became a fans’ favourite, he said: “How was that? The best time of my life, best four years of my life, probably.

“On the pitch, I probably don’t need to speak about too much, but my sons were born in the last couple of years as well in Ipswich, had a great life with me and my fiancée.

“I’ve absolutely loved it. I’ve fallen in love with that football club and so grateful for what that’s given me.

“In a strange way it feels weird to be back somewhere now, at a different club to Ipswich which I have all the same feelings for because of the relationship that I had when I was at the club [Pompey] previously and obviously what’s gone before.

“Leaving Ipswich was never, ever going to be an easy decision, and it wasn’t. It wasn’t something that was overnight thing, it was something that was thought about for a long time.

“There’s probably only one place that could have tempted me this summer to go and that was Portsmouth.”

Despite the Blues’ relegation, Chaplin says he was proud to play in the top flight with Town last season.

“To play in the Premier League and to score in the Premier League is probably a dream I’ve had since I can’t remember,” he continued.

“It’s definitely one that was ticked off the list as such, but it’s probably one that gives you a lot more fuel and hunger to experience those highs again.

“It’s something I’m really looking to do, I’m hugely ambitious. I really want to come to a team that wants to fight for things and do special things that I know can be done, I think have been proven can be done at football clubs, and this is no different.”

Chaplin, who could make his second Portsmouth debut in the big south coast derby a week on Sunday, was asked his aims for the campaign ahead.

“To have a big impact on the team, to hopefully bring success to the football club this season in whatever way you want to measure that,” he said.

“I think I want to try and challenge my teammates, I want to integrate as quickly as I possibly can.

“I want to have a successful season with the football, what that may be time will tell, but I think you can’t look too short, you need to have big hopes and big ambitions for the season.”

Photo: Matchday Images

KnoxvilleBlue82 added 12:45 - Sep 3 Bert, Like you I can sympathize with Darkhorse and understand the point he is trying to make. My only contention is that last year, we had burgess, Morsy, Chaplin, Wolfy et all and we didn't win. Granted they weren't in the team every week but as to your point they were part of the culture of the club. We still kept losing. We can talk about tactics and no plan b, but ultimately a lot of the players that got us to where we ended were not good enough for the premier league. A lot of the decisions that have been made are to not only get us promoted but to be able to stay there. It hasn't been a great start and we have been very disjointed but we have to trust the process and that McKenna knows the type of players he wants to bring in ( he doesn't strike me as a knee jerk reaction kinda guy). Ultimately I don't agree with letting Chappers go, as I feel he still has a lot to offer. But as much is our right to question decisions made, we now must get behind the team that's out there and raise them up. Let's hope we can use this break to Gel. COYB

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Steelmonkey added 12:50 - Sep 3 An integral part of our promotions, a go to player for reliability and performance, best of luck to you and hope you recapture the form that took us to those giddy heights.
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hyperbrit added 12:50 - Sep 3 a brave man seriously traumatized by the Premiership like many others who were with us last season.I wish him a speedy recovery of his old form which may become very useful in January
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Monkey_Blue added 13:07 - Sep 3 Bang in some goals and get yourself back here in January. Gutted more than any departure from town for as long as I can recall.
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Gazelle added 13:15 - Sep 3 Devastatied that he’s gone as there are one or two we’ve kept that should have gone before him but criticising McAteer is unfair as he’s only just arrived and didn’t get the best of service on Saturday.
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virginblue added 13:50 - Sep 3 Whilst it’s true that Morsy and Chappers have been “let go” I think the context here is important. Morsy was made an offer that we didn’t feel we could match (I’m on the fence on this) and so we tried to do the right thing by the player. I personally would have like him to see his contract out, but in this day and age it’s just not realistic. Chappers is at the stage of his career where he wants to play week in week out, had an offer to “go home”, so again, the club have tried to do the right thing by the player. Rather than ragging the club for allowing them to leave, maybe we should agree that given the service they’ve given, that this was the right step for both individuals. For the record, I’d much rather they were both here, but for those citing they should still be here for what they bring off the pitch as much as on it, maybe consider what the players motivations are at this time of their lives rather than putting this at the club’s door. Let’s hope this works out for all parties. If letting Chappers go proves to be the wrong decision then we’re likely in for a painful few months.

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Edmundo added 13:56 - Sep 3 100% lightning boy. Time to give KM no choice but to recall Chappers. Would be an amazing twist. But if that doesn't happen, it's a win-win for CC. Good luck to a good bloke
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philpott2 added 14:00 - Sep 3 Chaplin comes across as a thoroughly decent, hard working, and committed player. Sometimes a bit sulky and grumpy with his teammates on the pitch, but maybe that's where the desire and willingness to battle comes in. He was one of the few that we had in the squad at the time of the second promotion (which we all knew and commented on at the time, that it had come to early), that might cut it in the Prem....Hutchison when in the mood, Hladly/Walton maybe, Broadhead yes and maybe Burgess with the right centre-half companion. Davis can't defend so for me he needed a role higher up the pitch......and our defence wasn't good in League 1, the Championship so definitely not the Prem, particularly with the way we play. It still isn't a strong defensive unit! The squad was never Prem material, and I agree with various points above regarding leaders, those that inspire and demand a work ethic, which we've been sorely lacking in and our little maestro has now left as well. Thanks Chappers and good luck. Kind of hoping we don't need you in January, but we shall see.

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philpott2 added 14:05 - Sep 3 And I should have added....it's a complete reset, a new team, and hopefully the creation of a fresh culture. Some of the signings in recent weeks appear to be good, positive and effective footballers. Chaplin has no doubt been cast aside to make space in the 25 for those the big investments that haven't hit the mark during the previous 12 months (Clarke, Philigene, Taylor, Johnson etc.), who are (hopefully) going to push to be better.

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ArnieM added 14:41 - Sep 3 " Conor Chaplin, baaaby"..... there's only one!
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PortmanTerrorist added 14:41 - Sep 3 Heck of a post darkhorse28...and what many of us are thinking. McKenna worked wonders before, but he had a funnel into the players in Sammy and Chappers. Look at the body language of some of our players now before and during games; those 2 would NEVER have accepted this. Unless McKenna identifies a real leader in this squad quickly, I worry the job (promotion) may be a step too far.....but I do think Young is a good temporary option, as he is the only one acting with any leadership right now!

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dirtydingusmagee added 14:57 - Sep 3 Its all been said ,sorry you are going, very best of luck Chappers top man .
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jon_talbot56 added 16:06 - Sep 3 I cannot add anything new to what has already been said but he has been a great servant to the club and l hope he gets a very warm reception when he next appears at PR.
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Gazelle added 16:27 - Sep 3 Thank you for everything Chappers, we’re all gonna miss you at PR. And if you come across Ray Crawford now you’re down there tell him he was my favourite ever Town player.
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PhuketPete added 17:37 - Sep 3 I’m tired of reading Darkhorse’s long-winded, insanely repetitious, self Important diatribes. Some of what he says is right. A lot is just his opinion that I disagree with (but recognise his right to hold). But why does he feel the need to bombard us with the same misery every day. And where does he get the time to do it?
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armchaircritic59 added 18:05 - Sep 3 PhuketPete, maybe he's retired like me, or just finds a bit of time during the day, lunch break etc. I've had the odd brush with him in here, but I will say this, there hasn't been one of his posts, where I've not agreed with something, and also not one where I haven't disagreed with something. Which I guess is the basis of this website, opinions. They are at least challenging and make you think. To sum up, we can all agree to disagree, but hopefully politely!

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Madvic22 added 19:04 - Sep 3 Even though you are a well paid professional footballer doing his dream job, I thank you for your service to my beloved ITFC, you genuinely seem like a very decent guy who has always given his best. Good luck in the future, Portsmouth are lucky to have you.
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jabberjackson added 19:32 - Sep 3 Induct Chaplin and Morsy into the Hall of Fame immediately They have been the essence of the Ipswich revival
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pensionerblue added 21:13 - Sep 3 Quite apart from all his goals my favourite memory of Chappers demonstrating his commitment and love of the club was the home game against Southampton the season we were promoted to the Premier League. Sarmiento had scored the winner and Chappers took off from the bench, ran across the pitch and dived on top of our celebrating players. He was booked for his efforts!

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ChingShady added 21:17 - Sep 3 Please can we ensure that no matter the result when Pompey come to PR that we let Chappers know he's forever one of us too. Going to miss him on and off the pitch, modern town legend.
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SohoBlue added 21:33 - Sep 3 LOVE you Chappers. A real terrier. An Eric Gates of the '20s for me, and someone I am genuinely sad to see go - even on 'loan'. I wish you and your family the very best. Know we love what you've done for the club... From your signing I felt you were a crucial part of our rebirth and so it proved to be. Good luck and be the positive energy you brought to the mighty Towern. A player's player!

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pablo123 added 22:08 - Sep 3 A diamond , thoroughly decent and honest man !!! And a superb footballer !! Forever in our hearts chappers , good luck pal x
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Taricco_Fan added 23:39 - Sep 3 Chappers is probably my favourite player of the Cook/McKenna era. Such a clever, creative player and decent goalscorer. Those passes out wide to Burns then ghosting into the area for the return ball and shot.....*chef's kiss*. Excellent player on and off the pitch and one who embodied all that was great about the promotion sides. Disappointed to see Chappers go and he will be sadly missed. I'm not expecting to see him play for this club again but he will always be welcome back at Portman Road and Ipswich in whatever capacity. Go well and all the best. Thanks for everything.

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Cakeman added 07:38 - Sep 4 All the very best Chappers. I always felt our attackers were provided with good service when you played. You had developed an excellent understanding with those around you. I have no idea why you did not play more in The Premier. Portsmouth will be a lovely move for you but hopefully you will return to Town and Suffolk in some capacity at some point.
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DeepBlueSomething added 15:39 - Sep 4 There’s a lot of Town players past and present that could learn how to be humble and honest. There’s no bright lights with this fella. He’s had good days and bad days . He knows that and accepts it. He still tries to get back in the saddle. I see him as just a good hard working pro that wants to give his best. Thank you Conor Chaplin for your endeavours. For 4 years you’ve stood out for all the right reasons.

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