Civelli's pal is an SIL star

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town's signing of Luca Civelli is helping Ransomes Sports make an impact in the Kingsley Healthcare SIL and Suffolk Senior Cup.

The Senior Division championship contenders and Senior Cup semi-finalists have included Nico Guglielmutti in their team in recent weeks and he scored two penalties in Saturday's 5-1 cup victory over Lakenheath.

He has come over to Ipswich from his native Argentina to be with his friend Luca, who was signed by the Blues in January last year.

Despite only speaking a couple of words of English he has fitted in well at Sidegate Avenue, and both Luca and fellow Town player - Pablo Counago - have been seen watching Ransomes matches.

“Nico has raised a few eyebrows,” said Ransomes manager Peter Gorham.

“He has played half a dozen games and despite having no pre-season he has done well.

“His dead ball kicking is spot on and he can play on either flank in midfield or just behind the strikers.

“He only knows a couple of words of English so we have made an effort to welcome him and he has fitted in well.”

Nico is working at a hotel in Ipswich and it was when this was being renovated that a couple of Ransomes players found out about his footballing ability, and his desire to play.

“He is in his early twenties,” added Peter. “With a few more games under his belt we might have a battle to hang on to Nico.

“There are already a lot of people looking at him.”

Luca has gone back to Argentina to aid his recovery from a serious knee injury he suffered last March. But Nico has stayed on and forged a friendship with fellow Spanish speaker Pablo - the late goal hero of Ipswich Town's 3-2 win at Portman Road over Coventry at the weekend.

A win over Capel Plough or Brantham in the semi-final at the end of next month will see Nico follow his two professional footballing pals and take to the pitch at Portman Road for the Senior Cup final that will be staged at the home of the Blues in April.

And what a fairytale that would be!