IPSWICH boss Joe Royle today dedicated his First Division manager of the month award for October to: 'The players, the staff and all the fans.'Royle ran away with the prize after a fabulous month for the team that saw them rise up the table to the promotion zone.

By Dave Allard

IPSWICH boss Joe Royle today dedicated his First Division manager of the month award for October to: 'The players, the staff and all the fans.'

Royle ran away with the prize after a fabulous month for the team that saw them rise up the table to the promotion zone.

The Portman Road chief went on: "After all the much-publicised problems that there have been at the club, to have a month like we've had, and for an award like this, is so special.

"What has pleased me especially about it is the way we've played to get the results we have in October. Earlier in the season, in some quarters, there were comments made about our style of football that were untrue and annoyed me.

"We've shown that we can get the results by playing the sort of passing game that we like to play, both at home and away.

"I know that I receive the award, but I regard it as an accolade for everyone including our wonderful supporters, many of whom travel to see us away as well as at home."

Royle won numerous managerial accolades when boss at Oldham, Everton and Manchester City. This is his second with an Ipswich club he joined just over a year ago.

The former Everton and England striker said that comments by Preston boss Craig Brown after last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Deepdale had really gladdened him.

"I read Craig's nice comments about the way he felt we had played and the fact that he felt we prepared for games well. It was lovely to hear. But now this month has gone. We have to take it one and on, hopefully against Gillingham at Portman Road tomorrow."

The Preston draw last Saturday came after five straight October wins.

The month started with a 2-1 win at home over Rotherham followed by a 1-0 triumph at Bradford. Burnley were then hammered 6-1 at Portman Road and Stoke lost out 1-0 on Suffolk soil. A spectacular 4-3 success at Crystal Palace was then forthcoming before the single point from another good performance at Preston.

Royle added: "We made a slow start to the season, but I always had faith in the players already here and have been pleased with ones we've brought in. The results have been good this month and now we've got to make sure the progress is continued in the months that are ahead."

Nationwide League spokesman Chris Hull said: "We are delighted to present this award to Joe for the second time during his tenure at Portman Road. Joe's record was imperious with five wins and a draw in October."

It is the second month in succession the award has gone to East Anglia after Norwich manager Nigel Worthington, whose side are third, landed the September gong.

Plymouth's Paul Sturrock landed the Division Two award after steering the West Country outfit to the top of the table.

Despite Hull continuing to fly high at the top, Doncaster boss Dave Penney scooped the Division Three accolade.