DAVID Wright wasn't alone in making his Portman Road debut in today's local derby against Colchester.It was also an historic occasions for the Ipswich new boy's eight-month-old daughter, Kaitlyn, as she attended her very first football match.

By Mel Henderson

DAVID Wright wasn't alone in making his Portman Road debut in today's local derby against Colchester.

It was also an historic occasions for the Ipswich new boy's eight-month-old daughter, Kaitlyn, as she attended her very first football match.

Wright, 26, was also being cheered on by wife Victoria, five-year-old son Jacob and his parents as he made his home debut following last week's £200,000 move from Wigan.

He said: “It's a big occasion for me and it was good to have so many family members at the game.

“I'd been looking forward to it ever since I signed. We lost at Sunderland in my first game so I was desperate to get a win in my first home game.

“My debut record over the years has been pretty good. We beat Norwich in my first game for Crewe and when I moved to Wigan we drew with Nottingham Forest on my debut.

“Even when I was on loan at Norwich last season I got off to a winning start against Luton.

“It has all been a bit of a whirlwind over the past week or so and I'm just looking forward to getting down to business here.

“I know Colchester have had a great season but they were only nine points ahead of us going into today's game.

“Our aim must be to get on a winning run, which can take you a long way in this league - hopefully into the play-offs in our case.”

Warrington-born Wright acknowledges that may be a long shot but is keen to stress that he would never have accepted Town's offer if he hadn't believed they were capable of taking him back to the Premiership.

He added: “I could feel the ambition when I spoke to Jim Magilton and the chairman. They want it every bit as much as I do.

“Ipswich are quite similar to Crewe in that they encourage the development of young players. I went there when I was nine and then I was in the first team at 17.

“Their attitude has always been 'If he's good enough stick him in' and I sense it's the same here. Both clubs have the same reputation - they are seen as good breeding grounds for players.”

Wright, who has signed a contract until 2010, spent two days this week house-hunting in the area.