Town boss Paul Jewell has revealed that midfielder Lee Bowyer will not be offered a new contract with the Blues. The 35-year-old former Leeds man joined Town on a free transfer from Birmingham last summer.

Jewell said: “We’re not offering Lee Bowyer a contract. I’ve spoken with him at length over the last couple of weeks.

“He’s a terrific lad, a terrific pro, he’s been really good around the place. He’s good with the young players and I think he’s got a good career ahead of him coaching, but he wants to continue playing and I don’t think there’ll be a shortage of takers for him.

“He goes with our best wishes and, as I say, I think he’ll have a good career as a coach because he’s got terrific knowledge and he’s really good character, good for the young players."

The Blues boss admits that that that might surprise a few people: “I have to say you have these perceptions of people before you meet them and I wouldn’t have had him down as being like that, but he’s been terrific.

“He’s a winner. Everything he does he wants to win and he’s a good role model for young players. But he wants to continue playing and we just feel that maybe we’re going to go down a younger route.”

The Town boss says there have been no new firm developments on any of the other players who are out of contract at the end of the season.

Bowyer made 24 starts and five sub appearances for the Blues, scoring twice, including the last-minute winner against his former side West Ham at Upton Park.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Sindre94 added 14:04 - Apr 26 Seriously!!! so many respectless people here screaming "yeaaaaah thank christ" etc. What are you, 12 years of age? grow up and show some respect for one hell of a good proffessional who always wanted to give it his best for us. Rather comment that you think the decision to let him go is decent... Thanks for the effort Lee, but it didnt work out.
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tractored added 14:06 - Apr 26 "...... he's really good character, good for the young players." Tell that to Sarfraz Najeib
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Sindre94 added 14:06 - Apr 26 sorry for the word mixup, its ofcourse DISRESPECTFUL.. not respectless! sorry
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LFCITFC added 14:06 - Apr 26 hopefully the start of a good summer of players in/out.
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bluekeen added 14:09 - Apr 26 Dear Mr Bowyer, thank you for your effort this season! unfortunately you came to us too late in your career
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AlanMahon2011 added 14:11 - Apr 26 Sarfraz Najeib
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lscooper23 added 14:16 - Apr 26 Couldn't have said it better myself Sindre94! Thanks for your efforts Lee and all the best for the future, shame it didn't work out!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:25 - Apr 26 Agreed Sindre Dietmar - as i said at the time, he was played cos PJ was having one last look before making a decision on Bowyer. He already knew what Hyam could do. Alan Mahon - not really sure what point you are making, all the players who have left were all signed on short term contracts - therefore indicating they werent going to be here for long.
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Garv added 14:25 - Apr 26 Over 30 and not what everyone expected, therefore he must be slated and labelled the worst footballer to ever enter Portman road. Injured too much, too many generally average performances, amongst some good ones I might add, so probably the right decision. Scored the most memorable goal of the season though so we must thank him for that.
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chislehurstblue added 14:28 - Apr 26 You lot make me laugh. You can't see that bowyer is still a decent player as you hate him as a person. As PJ stated that if you meet him he is a decent bloke who will make a great coach. Personally would have kept him in the squad as so much better than Hyam and Drury. Shame some can't see that due to your preconceived ideas about him.
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village_blue added 14:35 - Apr 26 If as expected that Leadbitter doesn't sign his deal I think this decision could bite us on the bum as Drury and Hyam could well do with the experience of Bowyer around and can learn off him, all said though Bowyer has not lived up to expectations.
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Len_Brennan added 14:36 - Apr 26 Certainly not as bad a signing as a lot of people would like to make out, but ultimately not worth what had to be higher wages for the amount of gametime he got or would be likely to get next season. I won't be surprised if he makes a reasonable impact at one of our rivals, but I'm happy enough to see him released, especially with the new financial rules coming in.

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PJ_Needs_Duncan added 14:37 - Apr 26 Bet he's thinking its a shame we didn't get relegated, League 1 is about his level
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WeirdFishes added 14:40 - Apr 26 Made my day
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sonian_blue added 14:51 - Apr 26 Can you drive him out Jewell...............and dont come back
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floridaboy added 14:56 - Apr 26 Fair enough. Just need Leadbitter to clear off and will be very happy.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 14:57 - Apr 26 Right once again Sindre. I agree with your adult view.
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saffronblue added 15:01 - Apr 26 Sindre, completely agree thought he was a good signing when he joined and I wish him well in the future.
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ElvisMariner added 15:04 - Apr 26 all the best Lee and thanks for the West Ham winner
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Wickets added 15:11 - Apr 26 Good
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Keaneish added 15:22 - Apr 26 Sonks, Copper and Bowyer off the wage bill... Leadbiiter, Scotland and Smith still pending. Expecting a slightly larger influx of players than the 5 or 6 needed.
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itfc1981 added 15:29 - Apr 26 I would like to declare my view is totally opposite to Sindre's. Wahhoooooo!
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thechangingman added 15:34 - Apr 26 If I am honest, I can't say that I am sorry to see him go. In fact, in my opinion, it bodes well if we're clearing out players like Bowyer in order to go down "a younger route..." I guess signing him was worth a punt and he could easily have added a little grit and endeavour. It didn't work out and we probably got him 3 or 4 years too late. Oh well. Onwards and upwards...

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alfromcol added 15:39 - Apr 26 Good luck Lee, thanks for the goal at WH, made our day out. I am sure that PJ is a better judge of character than most negatives on here who have never been in Bowyer's company and apart from what they have read in the media have no idea what sort of person he is.
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stinkiusminkius added 15:44 - Apr 26 He was a potentially superb signing when we got him but unfortunately didn't work out as planned, but that's football. Nowhere near as bad as a lot on here are making out, but people do like a whinge.
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