IPSWICH Town midfielder Liam Trotter celebrated agreeing a new deal that will keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2009 by passing tips on at an Ipswich school.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town midfielder Liam Trotter celebrated agreeing a new deal that will keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2009 by passing tips on at an Ipswich school.

The 19-year-old local lad, who found his way to the Blues via the football school at West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds, spent an afternoon with pupils at Handford Road Primary School.

Midfielder Trotter took part in special FA Cup lessons and a training session - with his visit helping to demonstrate some of the fun activities children around the country will take part in on E.ON National FA Cup Schools Day on Thursday April 24.

Trotter said: “I think the Schools Day is a great way for children all over the country to learn about the FA Cup.

“The whole day focuses on football with a regional festival in the afternoon.

“All schools should sign up and get involved. I wish opportunities like this were available when I was at school!”

Last year 300,000 children took part and E.ON aim to make the event a regular fixture in the academic calendar.

This year core national curriculum subjects such as history, maths and English will be geared around the excitement, history and tradition of the FA Cup.

As well as classroom-based activity, FA Charter Standard schools will participate in special county football festivals managed by qualified FA coaches.