FORMER Ipswich captain, coach and caretaker boss Tony Mowbray has become a first-time father.His wife, Amber, gave birth to a baby boy yesterday at St John's Hospital, Livingston, and both are reported to be doing well.

FORMER Ipswich captain, coach and caretaker boss Tony Mowbray has become a first-time father.

His wife, Amber, gave birth to a baby boy yesterday at St John's Hospital, Livingston, and both are reported to be doing well.

The baby was born four weeks prematurely and weighed in at 5lbs 11oz. The couple have decided on a name but are keeping it to themselves for the time being.

Mowbray left Ipswich in the summer, after almost nine years as player and coach, to take charge of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

Mowbray, 40, attended the birth and said: "It was quite an experience and I am delighted to say that Amber and the baby are both doing fine.

"I took her into hospital on Monday and have had very little sleep over the past three days, but we are both thrilled."

The former Middlesbrough central defender became a firm fans' favourite at Portman Road after then boss George Burley signed him from Celtic in October 1995.

Ten months earlier he had lost first wife Bernadette to breast cancer and the dignified way in which he coped with the tragedy touched many hearts.

After taking over as Ipswich club captain, he enjoyed hero status with his goal in the First Division play-off final at Wembley in May 2000.

His powerfully headed equaliser enabled Ipswich to come from behind and eventually defeat Barnsley 4-2 to regain Premiership status.

It was a fitting way to bring down the curtain on a magnificent career as a player, although he was already one year into life as a coach.

Mowbray and Amber met in 1997 - love blossomed after she cut his hair at an Ipswich salon - and they married in June 2001 at Stratford St Mary.

He was appointed caretaker manager of Ipswich in October 2002, after Burley's departure, and when Joe Royle was appointed later that month he made it clear he wanted Mowbray to stay on.

Mowbray had made no secret of his desire to become a manager and the opportunity arose in the summer to take charge of Hibernian.

Assisted by another ex-Ipswich favourite in former defensive partner Mark Venus, his youthful team have been winning plaudits for their enterprising football and have put together a seven-game unbeaten run.