Ipswich Town Women’s all-time top goalscorer and appearance-maker Natasha Thomas has left the Blues, the club has announced.

Thomas, 30, has made 260 appearances for Town, scoring 175 goals - claiming the club’s Golden Boot for four successive seasons - having signed from her local side Lowestoft Town in October 2015, scoring twice on her debut, a 9-0 victory over Bedford.

Along the way, she won two promotions, taking Town up to the second tier for the first time, scored the first goal in the women’s team’s first regular season Portman Road fixture, was part of famous FA Cup runs and became the first women’s player to win a senior international cap when she made the first of her six appearances for Jamaica. In addition, she was a trustee of the Ipswich Town Foundation.

“I am extremely honoured to have been at this incredible football club for more than a decade,” Thomas told the club site.

“I never thought I would go on to achieve the things I have here when I first joined in 2015, but the memories I’ve created during that time will stay with me forever.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some amazing times here, including two promotions, several Portman Road matches and some brilliant FA Cup runs.

“I want to thank all of my teammates who have been a part of my journey, as well as my managers - Ralph Pruden, Joe Sheehan and David Wright.

“The backing I have received from the supporters is something I will never take for granted and it’s been brilliant to see how much the fanbase has grown across the past decade.

“Ipswich Town will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish everyone at the club all the best for next season and beyond.”

Rachel Harris, Town’s head of women’s football, said: “Natasha has been an incredible ambassador for this football club across the past decade.

“Her achievements speak for themselves and she leaves behind a fantastic legacy for young girls and women’s football in the region.

“We would like to thank Natasha for everything she has done for the club and we wish her all the best for the next stage of her career and beyond.”

Photo: Matchday Images