JIM Magilton has told trialist Joe Francis that he does not have a future with Ipswich Town.But the Ipswich Town manager thinks the 19-year-old can make a living out of the professional game.

By Elvin King

JIM Magilton has told trialist Joe Francis that he does not have a future with Ipswich Town.

But the Ipswich Town manager thinks the 19-year-old can make a living out of the professional game.

The left-sided front runner was told the heartbreaking news on Thursday and is to take up his plastering apprenticeship again starting on Monday.

He had been on trial at Portman Road since before Christmas.

On contract with Woodbridge Town until the summer of next year, Francis will continue playing in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League - and hope that another chance comes along.

He impressed in three Ipswich reserve matches he played, and also in a couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies.

Magilton said: “Joe has enough talent to make a living out of the game.

“He has shown flashes of real quality and he is a lovely lad.

“But we are looking on a different level, and Joe could have done with a pre-season to have got him set up for playing full time.

“I will be making some phone calls, and doing all I can to get him fixed up to play professionally.”

A former Suffolk youth team player and a pupil at the SETEC scheme at Copleston Sports College in Ipswich, Francis has found the net regularly for Woodbridge.

Mick Stockwell, the former Town and Colchester United player, is manager of Woodbridge, and he said: “Joe is obviously disappointed.

“But he is a talented player and I would like to think he will get another opportunity.

“But in the meanwhile we are pleased he is staying with us.”

And Woodbridge assistant manager Marty Thorpe said: “I watched Joe in action for Ipswich reserves, and he did not look out of place.

“He is a talented lad and can play at high level.”

Francis caught the eye in the 3-1 Town defeat at Norwich City on Wednesday, and he scored in a home reserve match against Stevenage.