Steve Foley, Town's new coach, has revealed that he was asked to join the Blues more than a decade ago. Foley, sacked by Norwich City last month, turned down the chance to join George Burley at Portman Road when the former Colchester boss took over from John Lyall midway through the 1994/95 season.

The 53-year-old, a former Colchester player, decided against the move as he was happy at Layer Road: "I was comfortable working for Colchester at the time and have always been a person who has kept his word and honoured his commitments.

"George gave me a chance to move to Ipswich, and it was something I had to think about as I have always respected the club."

Foley says he enjoyed his decade at Carrow Road despite the way it ended: "I had ten good years with Norwich and helped the club gain a place in the Premiership.

"Better men than me have been sacked and I can take that on board. But it was disappointing to hear about my dismissal in May from an outside source."

Foley took the Town squad for the first time as pre-season training began earlier today.

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