ACE coach Steve Foley today started work for Ipswich Town, and revealed that he had 11 years to make up.Foley was asked to join George Burley when the former Blues manager moved from Colchester United to take charge at Portman Road in 1994/95.

By Elvin King

ACE coach Steve Foley today started work for Ipswich Town, and revealed that he had 11 years to make up.

Foley was asked to join George Burley when the former Blues manager moved from Colchester United to take charge at Portman Road in 1994/95.

“I was comfortable working for Colchester at the time and have always been a person who has kept his word and honoured his commitments,” said Foley, who was busy today when Town's players reported back after their summer break.

“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.

“I could not wait to get to Portman Road and watch the team that Bobby Robson and Bobby Ferguson put out in the late seventies and early eighties.

“It was one of the best sides never to win the league championship.

“Now I have a chance to work at Portman Road, and I could not wait for today to arrive.

“I had offers to coach other clubs, but once I heard from Bryan Klug and then Jim Magilton I was only interested in joining Ipswich.

“There are some great players at the club, and I have a gut feeling that the years ahead are going to be exciting.”

Foley, who lives near Manningtree, moved from Colchester to join Norwich City, and held a succession of coaching posts from youth team up to the first team at Carrow Road.

“I had ten good years with Norwich and helped the club gain a place in the Premiership,” added Foley, who played for Colchester before going into coaching.

“Better men than me have been sacked and I can take that onboard. But it was disappointing to hear about my dismissal in May from an outside source before being officially told by the Canaries.”

Now fully recovered from illness after being struck down in May 2005 with an abscess on his lung, Foley sees his task as helping Ipswich youngsters graduate from the academy.

“Jim and Bryan will be looking after the first team, and I see myself turning our 16, 17 and 18 year-olds into polished professionals,” said Foley.

Town's players reported back today after a break that began following the defeat at Plymouth on April 30.