Leeds Out of Ward Race
Thursday, 24th May 2012 21:10

Town’s chances of landing long-time target Joel Ward appear to have vastly increased with Leeds reported to be out of the running as their situation presently stands. As widely rumoured over the weekend, the Blues would seem to be the favourites to sign the 22-year-old Portsmouth defender or midfielder, who is said to be close to finally making his decision.

Leeds, the one-time frontrunners, are believed to have had trouble raising the fee which is understood to be in the region of £450,000.

Town and the Whites were two of six Championship clubs targeting Ward. Sheffield Wednesday were reported to have withdrawn from the race earlier in the week, while we understand Crystal Palace were unable to match the personal terms available elsewhere.

Burnley, managed by Eddie Howe, who was in charge at Bournemouth during Ward’s spell on loan with the Cherries, would appear to be the other strong contenders and along with Blackpool are also believed to have spoken to the one-time Pompey trainee.

Meanwhile, the Blues are close to adding 16-year-old 6ft 5in tall Norwegian keeper Michael Crowe to their Academy ranks for next season. Crowe, whose father is English and whose sister is at college locally, is currently with Kristiansand-based club IK Start.

Photo: Action Images

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Guthrum added 10:13 - May 25 RetroBlue: Apart from his time as Captain of Bournemouth, you mean? And Pearce wasn't born in Portsmouth, as Ward was.
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bluey420 added 10:14 - May 25 Never going too sign 4 Ipswich I maybe going too palace 4 family reasons but surely not footballing reasons palace will not b challenging 4 promotion I said 4 a long time if Sheff Utd don't get promoted sign M.Lowton
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RetroBlue added 10:22 - May 25 Palace is closer to "home" for him , poor love! As Guthrum rightly says its his first ever move. However Im more pissed off with Town's ongoing inadequacies when it comes to negotiating/ competing for players signatures. Any one else think Clegg is the major problem?
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Michael11 added 10:25 - May 25 This has to be one of the biggest wastes of time i've ever seen. http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/breaking_news_crystal_palace_lead_race_t
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brazil1982 added 10:26 - May 25 Isn't this the fella that earlier in the season asked for ridiculous wages to leave Pompey? Or was that a different player?
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AbujaBlue added 10:27 - May 25 Bah. I don't mind the fact he signed for Palace, it's the amount of time he took over it to choose that bugs me.
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Legend added 10:31 - May 25 I agree with RetroBlue. I believe Clegg is the major problem. Say what you like about Sheepshanks but the bloke would never let a player leave his office without getting him to sign!! We are a joke.
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Legend added 10:45 - May 25

Look at the players Sheepshanks managed to sign and secure, Johnson, Stewart, Kuqi, Holland, De vos, Mowbray, Magilton, Petta, Mathie, Clapham, Hreidarsson, etc etc.....All class players that we managed to get to sign and beat other clubs to land them!
It's the same Ipswich, the town hasnt been moved elsewhere, All this crap about not wanting to move here is rubbish. It's all down to the peanut wages we offer.
Good players cost good money and good wages!!!!
Keane had the same problem, he got the players he wanted here but Clegg pissed up the deals and the players didnt sign.
Same old same old..........

geography26 added 10:48 - May 25 He's going to palace! Move on to Lowton or Hunt depending on which team doesn't get promoted tomorrow!
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Michael11 added 11:09 - May 25 Yes, great players we got in Legend, but they're also the players (on top of the 2 new stands) that probably put us in administration too.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 11:27 - May 25 croydon to hampshire is not far so he can probably stay in his current home - NEXT http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/breaking_news_crystal_palace_lead_race_t
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Mark added 12:41 - May 25 So all that time chasing the 3 Portsmouth players and we end up with 0 out of 3! Henderson chooses West Ham Reserves over us, with Pearce going to Leeds and now Ward to Palace. I appreciate the need to save money, but as fans we are feel quite disappointed at how we don't seem to be competing with our rivals in the transfer market.
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