Ipswich Town
UPDATED: New signing Ryan Stevenson hails Town as ‘massive opportunity’
By Dave Gooderham
Saturday, January 28, 2012
10:04 PM
SCOTTISH midfielder Ryan Stevenson could be in line to make his Ipswich debut against West Ham on Tuesday night after sealing his switch from Hearts.
The 27-year-old has completed his move to Town for a reported £50,000 and will train with his new team mates for the first time tomorrow morning.
And should he get clearance in time on Monday, the midfielder, who passed a medical at his new club today, could be included against the table-topping Hammers.
Stevenson revealed that he had offers to leave Hearts with Town’s divisional rivals Bristol City also in the hunt.
But he said: “I had a few other teams interested but when a club of the statue of Ipswich comes in for you, you take it. It’s a massive opportunity for me, too big to turn down and I can’t wait to get going.
“I’m looking forward to training with the lads tomorrow and I want to hit the ground running, impress the manager and force my way into the side.
“Playing in England has always been a big ambition of mine and to have a chance of playing for such a big club and alongside so many top players is fantastic.”
Stevenson has not played for the Scottish Premier League club since December 17 after going in a self-imposed exile over the club’s much-publicised wage dispute.
A former Chelsea trainee, Stevenson joined Hearts last February after spells at St Johnstone and Ayr.
He has since made 47 appearances, plus 20 from the bench, scoring 11 goals including four this season.
Jewell, like Town fans, will be hoping this is only the first signing the club makes before the January transfer window closes on Tuesday night.
The club continue to be in discussions with Portsmouth over Jason Pearce, Joel Ward and keeper Stephen Henderson who all played – as expected – in Pompey’s 3-0 win over Peterborough this afternoon.
Jewell was said to be in the London Road crowd to see his targets with Pearce scoring for Portsmouth and Ward starting at left midfield.
We understand a Town representative was also at Crawley to see striker Tyrone Barnett help the League Two side record a shock 1-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round.
22 comments
Rob - I do not understand the short sighted personal dig?
Report this comment
Blue Exile
Monday, January 30, 2012
Blue Exile... you must be short sighted, not long sighted from your point of exile. It is precisely because most of the people commenting on here ARE Ipswich Town supporters that they are so ashamed of the current regime that they refuse to go. Most of the comments on Stevenson are quietly positive, we assume Jewell had little to do with it, which is a plus, he is not yet another aged Premier reject, which is a plus, he has not been targetted because he got mentioned on the football league show, which is another plus. However, he is yet another player with 'history' at his former club and a midfield player which is probably last on the priority list. And Jewell is still there. Those are all minuses.
Report this comment
Rob Steroo
Monday, January 30, 2012
Blue Exile - I feel you misunderstand my sentiments. I am pleased we have made a signing and for one do not mind whether they are known or unknown as long as they are enthusiastic and prove to have ability and commitment. My concern is that any ability he does have is correctly channeled and harnessed for the good of the team, club and supporters. As it looks like we are lumbered with Jewell and co time will only tell whether this transfer proves any better than his previous blunderings and whether at last he manages to play a player in his best position and even formulate some coherent tactics that gives him and the rest of the team a chance. Watch this space and again good luck to Stephenson.
Report this comment
SussexTractorBoy
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The general feeling amongst Hearts fans seems to be good riddance. Looks like Hearts started getting results AFTER this guy went on strike. Maybe if he refuses to play for Ipswich the points will start coming in.
Report this comment
Mike Oxlong
Sunday, January 29, 2012
FTLOG, you people cannot be pleased. So you haven't heard of him? Do any of you work in Football or scout around Scotland?? The same comments were made when we were linked to 2 lads at Swindon. Well I can tell you we would do A LOT worse than those two especially the lad Richie. IMHO, at the beginning of this season ME and PJ wanted to sign some marque signings to lift the fans and the whole place. We are not Man City so Nasri and Ballotelli were out of the question. In hindsight (and I know there are some people on here that didn't want Bowyer blah blah blah) this hasn't worked. Give this lad some time, just think how he would be feeling if he is reading his new local rag? I really do wonder why some of you bother supporting ITFC, posting on here or even opening the curtains in the morning
Report this comment
Blue Exile
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Does anyone else imagine Ged Scott as a red neck from North Norfolk? I know he professes to be an Ipswich fan but I'm not sure he has ever been in any way constructive.
Report this comment
I am Spartacus
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Ryan who??? has anybody ever heard of him??? Tell you what fans, he must be fantastic player to warrant a £50,000 signing on fee and cannot make the Hearts team lol
Report this comment
ged scott
Sunday, January 29, 2012
another healy???
Report this comment
gutted
Sunday, January 29, 2012
It isn't the quality or merit of this signing that should necessarily be questioned. It is its relevance to our parlous situation. We all know what we need - well at least most of those writing here seem to - don't know about the in-house hierarchy - and, so far, nothing tangible has emerged.
Report this comment
Mike Wyatt
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Every supporter has to wish him well. But we mustn't expect Lionel Messi for 50k. We all hope that he is good but the question has to be asked "Why has no one else been in for him" ? As for the query by pencil Pete with regard to what fans want. I would suggest a mixture. A blend of older and younger players. But the problem, as I have pointed out before is that to make this team into one challenging for promotion we probably need 8 or 9 new recruits. this would include a new goalkeeper, two centre backs, one fullback, one midfielder and a couple of forwards. Plus a couple of utility players.
Report this comment
whymarkmariner
Sunday, January 29, 2012
right this is a player that not many including myself have heard of,but he is under thirty has not cost a fortune and sounds hungry to get in on the act at Portman road, yes i would have liked Andrews to be a signing but if premiership clubs are interested then,you would have to say thanks for your efforts when you were here but if you do not want to come on a permanent deal i wish you all the luck on your future which i think will be a good one,what we need now are a few defenders from the lower leagues with ambition and a will to sacrifice all in the cause,and maybe show a few at the club what grit determination and effort for the cause can gain you.
Report this comment
peter samuels
Sunday, January 29, 2012
1,7 million for priskin then pay to get rid of him now thats what i call a bad deal,if this lad doesnot make it we lose nothing,he cannot be worse than dads army,give it your best shot lad town love a tryer.
Report this comment
david peters
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Cannot comment on Stephenson as I have not heard of him or seen him play -lets hope someone at Ipswich has!! I sincerely hope this proves to be a good signing and I wish him well. We all know what "an exceptional spotter of young talent" (so says Jason de Vos) that Jewell is and we certainly know how good a motivator. tactician and coach he and his staff are - so despite that - all the best and good luck Ryan Stephenson, you may need it.
Report this comment
SussexTractorBoy
Sunday, January 29, 2012
I don't get people on here - when we sign old dross from the premiership Jewell gets stick about signing "expensive has beens that are here for one last payday" now he signs a 27 year old for 50k and now "we haven't heard of him, not spending money ETC" so can someone tell me the sort of signings we need to make then ?? cos if expensive signings from the premiership are wrong and cheap younger signings are wrong then i don't know what we can do after that ??
Report this comment
Pencil Pete
Sunday, January 29, 2012
I have lost count of the number on midfield players Marcus Evans has purchased. I had hoped Town would sign Keith Andrews who poved yo be a very good loan signing.
Report this comment
Neil Gedny
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Well, I really hope he is better than we have and wish him luck. I guess, without having watched him (and this might be slightly unfair), but for £50k it does seem very cheap. That said, he was called up for the Scotland squad recently so perhaps this is a coup. Still, as David Bradley mentioned, a RB, DC & GK are key for the immediate future.
Report this comment
I am Spartacus
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Hoots mon the noo - a player Jewell hasn't seen on the football league show (and probably hasn't seen at all). After the mass recruitment drive at Pompey the suspicion that the invisible man is recruiting players the same way he buys clubs is looking more and more likely. Never heard of him, much like Jewell I suspect, but he can hardly be worse than Leadbitter for next season at one thirtieth of the price.
Report this comment
Rob Steroo
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Phew we're saved !!!! - & there was me thinking that we were in a spot of bother
Report this comment
Old Timer
Saturday, January 28, 2012
As a Hearts supporter I wouldn't expect much from him, a very poor player we will not miss in the slightest, our results have improved immensely since he had his one man strike, nice tatoos though!
Report this comment
William Thorburn
Saturday, January 28, 2012
we need players who are up&ready :-(
Report this comment
ElmswellFerret
Saturday, January 28, 2012
A mid fielder wish him well... But what about not so great defence. Jewell better get some one in or face the rath of the remaineing supporters.
Report this comment
david bradley
Saturday, January 28, 2012
A mid fielder wish him well... But what about not so great defence. Jewell better get some one in or face the rath of the remaineing supporters.
Report this comment
david bradley
Saturday, January 28, 2012