Town goalkeeper-coach Malcolm Webster is to retire at the end of the season.

The 67-year-old (pictured above left with fitness coach Andy Liddell) first worked with the Blues under George Burley - when he coached Richard Wright as he came through the ranks - and having followed the Scot to Derby, Hearts and Southampton, returned to Portman Road to join Paul Jewell’s staff and stayed at the club after Mick McCarthy took charge.

Born in Doncaster, Webster was with Arsenal, Fulham, Southend and Cambridge during a 16-year playing career.

Current first-choice Bartosz Bialkowski initially linked up with Webster when he went to Hearts on trial and after Burley and his staff departed from Tynecastle not long later followed the man who was to become his mentor to Southampton.

“Mally is one of the reasons I came to Ipswich. He sees things that other coaches don’t see,” Poland international Bialkowski told the club site. “He has played a massive part in my career and I can’t thank him enough.”""

Town’s other senior keeper, Dean Gerken, added: “I’m glad he’s hopefully getting the retirement he deserves and moving onto pastures new, but he’ll be a big loss to the club.

""“He is the best I have worked with by a country mile. He won’t just be a loss to Ipswich Town but to football in general. "

“There isn’t a goalie in any of the English leagues that he doesn’t know about - his knowledge is so vast.”

Photo: TWTD

Gcon added 14:14 - Apr 20 Enjoy your retirement, and thank you. I wonder if this creates an opportunity for Richard Wright.
20

TractorRoyNo1 added 14:14 - Apr 20 Good luck, hopefully the new coach will encourage the keeper to take crosses, not get blocked at corners and release the ball quickly to the wing backs.
-16

SouperJim added 14:15 - Apr 20 I hope the club make the fuss he deserves. All our best keepers in the time I've supported the club have had nothing but good words to say about him (with the possible exception of Sereni, the primadonna!) and we've had some great stoppers in that time, no doubt as a direct result of his hard work.
15

not_a_witty_name added 14:31 - Apr 20 Great servant to the club, enjoy your retirement as you thoroughly deserve it.
14

Super_Cooper added 14:34 - Apr 20 Excellent Coach and been here for as long as i can remember. Has coached some great keepers in that time including Wright, Forrest & Bart. Will be a big hole to fill. Enjoy the retirement Malcolm.
11

linhdi added 14:40 - Apr 20 I remember seeing him play - he was very, very good! Happy retirement, Malcolm.
8

Edmundo added 14:47 - Apr 20 A big loss: opportunity knocks for another Town legend to take the reins. Hope this isn't the final straw for Bart though...
6

lightingblue added 15:04 - Apr 20 First Mick now Malcolm Webster. Do you plastic fans give anyone a rest
-9

fabian_illness added 15:10 - Apr 20 Was coached by MW as a player and worked for him coaching. Absolutely top class chap.
8

Millsey added 15:15 - Apr 20 Happy retirement Malcolm 👍👍👍👍
8

Millsey added 15:16 - Apr 20 Up voted Gcon by mistake
0

BeattiesBackPocket added 15:19 - Apr 20 Well deserved retirement. Great servant to the club hopefully he'll come out for the 'lap of honour' so the fans can give him a decent send off. Did great work with Bart and Wrighty.
7

Vancouver_Blue added 15:19 - Apr 20 I wonder how he didnt see the potential in Nick Pope
1

blueboy1981 added 15:30 - Apr 20 Everyone has to retire sometime - another chance to move on, both for the Club, and Webster himself. Nick Pope anyone ? - although everyone lets a gem thro' their hands at some point.
1

blueboy1981 added 15:35 - Apr 20 Don't keep worrying about Bart - if his heart is in this Club, then he will stay. If not - best on his way - although most of us would wish for the former to be the case. Onwards, Upwards, and Forward - a new era dawns - if anyone doesn't want to be at the Club now, best off without them. The choice is theirs.
6

Northstandveteran added 15:39 - Apr 20 Webster out!!!!!
2

PhilTWTD added 16:09 - Apr 20 Re Nick Pope, he left Town in 2008 during MW's time away from the club, he came back in 2011.
10

runningout added 16:50 - Apr 20 Good luck MW. We move on with gusto even if Bart etc moves on..
4

dirtydingusmagee added 17:29 - Apr 20 Good luck, hope you enjoy your well earned retirement Malcolm.
5

BlueArrow added 18:19 - Apr 20 All the best MW well deserved rest after good service for The Towen
4

ChrisFelix added 19:46 - Apr 20 I thought that Phil Parkes coached Richard wright
0

MVBlue added 23:39 - Apr 20 Malcom Webster top man, he has remained ever present. Thanks for your service.
2

Fartman added 04:40 - Apr 21 This must be the reason why Bart hasn't signed the contract on offer. All the best for your retirement Malcom. A big hand from me for your great efforts in developing our goalkeepers to a higher standard than we could wish for. Talent is permanent, but it takes at lot of effort to develop it in the right direction. Your people skill are second to none. Hopefully Malcom has sounded out his successor.

1

therein61 added 07:28 - Apr 21 Many thanks for your great work at our club Mal enjoy a well earned retirement
1

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