IF Gary Roberts had any lingering doubts about his move to Ipswich Town it was snuffed out last weekend.The 23-year-old midfielder was still signing autographs an hour and a half after the final whistle of Town's 3-1 Coca-Cola Championship victory with hundreds of fans staying behind to fete their heroes before the summer break.

By Elvin King

IF Gary Roberts had any lingering doubts about his move to Ipswich Town it was snuffed out last weekend.

The 23-year-old midfielder was still signing autographs an hour and a half after the final whistle of Town's 3-1 Coca-Cola Championship victory with hundreds of fans staying behind to fete their heroes before the summer break.

Following a successful autumn loan period at Portman Road, Roberts was transferred from League Two Accrington Stanley in the close season for £220,000.

There was late interest shown by Cardiff, who were Town's opponents in their final match of the season.

Roberts stayed loyal to Ipswich, and cannot wait for next season to start.

“If Ipswich can attract over 26,000 fans for a mid-table end-of-season match and create such an atmosphere as they did on Sunday, I can't imagine what it would be like if we had won something,” said Roberts.

“It has proved a big move for me, and I cannot wait to get going again.

“This is a second chance for me after I dropped down to the Conference and then came back into the Football League with Accrington.

“My contract is to 2010 and as far as I am concerned the sky is the limit at Portman Road.

“I know that the dressing room is well aware that we need to show more consistency, and build on what we achieved in the final weeks of this season.

“While I would have liked Ipswich to have done better, on a personal note I am pleased with my performances having played every game from the start of November except when I was suspended.”

Roberts has one change he wants to make during the summer - a number switch.

“Number 33 makes me look fat,” he said. “Hopefully I can find myself one further down the scale.”