Big Ol' Bob Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Highly rated Ipswich goalkeeper Shane Supple has decided to walk away from football at the age of 22 having "fallen out of love with the game". The Republic of Ireland Under-21 star came through the club's academy and made 38 first team appearances. "Playing professional football is not something I want to continue doing," Supple told the club's website. "As you grow up you realise there are other things in life and to be honest, the game is not what I thought it was." Supple played a key role in Ipswich's FA Youth Cup triumph in 2005, when Town beat a Southampton side that included Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale, and saved a penalty in his last appearance, a shoot-out victory over Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup last week. His first-team opportunities have been limited since Richard Wright returned to Portman Road from West Ham in July 2008. Ipswich have agreed to cancel the Dubliner's contract at his request, and it will allow him to pursue a career outside of professional football immediately. Supple plans to return to Ireland to spend time with his family and consider his options which, he insists, "won't be in football". "There is not one reason why I have made my decision, there are a number of factors," said Supple. "But deep down my heart is not in the game any more and I'm not going to go into work every day trying to convince myself that it is, so it's the right time for me to walk away. "I suppose you could say that I have fallen out of love with the game and when that happens I've always said to myself that I wouldn't hang around." Supple, who had brief loan spells at Falkirk and Oldham, was quick to praise Ipswich manager Roy Keane for the way the former Manchester United midfielder responded to the news. "I want to thank the manager for the support he has given me," added Supple. "He was a bit shocked when I told him and I expected that but he understood my reasons - he's been first class. "People probably think I'm crazy but I'm not going to stay in the game for anyone else, I'm making this decision for myself. "I've worked with some great people in my time at Ipswich and had some great times at the club. It's a fantastic club and I'll continue to follow Ipswich's fortunes." Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg praised Supple for his commitment to the club, both on and off the pitch, over the past six years. "It's obviously disappointing news for us but we respect Shane's reasons for wanting a career chance and we wish him every success for the future," stated Clegg. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...own/8211586.stm Good Luck to him I say.
Fox92 Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 I liked him as well, good young goalkeeper. Made his debut against us didn't he?
Heart-Shaped Fox Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 He alwyas looked really promising. Quite strange.
Guest Bilo Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Best of luck to him but a curious decision. I'm sure he has his reasons, but I've no idea what they could be.
Tevez Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Just seen this on SSN: Sileby Aths offer contract to Supple.
Big Ol' Bob Posted 20 August 2009 Author Posted 20 August 2009 Takes balls to do what he has done, especially taking into account who your manager is! I'd personally give my right nut to have the chance of being a footballer and be earning thousands each week haha.
dandannieldanok Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Not that surprising, yes he was privileged to be in a job that pays well but he's a young man quite far from home and it can't be that fun not playing. Fair play to him for being honest and not just collecting his pay packet when his heart's not in it.
Guest Chocolate Teapot Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Michael Johnson might head the same way! You heard it here first!
Budweiser Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Michael Johnson might head the same way! You heard it here first! Not suprising either. Alcoholic and gambler it seems.
Big Ol' Bob Posted 20 August 2009 Author Posted 20 August 2009 Not surprised at all, have you seen the size of the fat **** too... From This... To This!!!
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Not surprised at all, have you seen the size of the fat **** too...From This... To This!!! Just looks to me like he's grown into himself really. Not fat. And that skinhead & beard combo is probably not helping.
AjcW Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Johnsons done the opposite to Joe Hart. Shame, I rated Johnson.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Johnsons done the opposite to Joe Hart.Shame, I rated Johnson. He's not fat.
AjcW Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 He's not fat. Well I would hardly say hes "bulked up" it does just look a little, fat. Sorry just my personal perception.
Thracian Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Training hard then pissing about in the reserves can't be much fun. I've long thought someone like Levi must feel like that. It's a special employment situation is football. Clubs can have you on a lucrative contract but they can still mess your life up. Not that I'm suggesting in any way that either City or Ipswich have done anything wrong. They just look at situations from a different viewpoint to the players and some managers make it harder because they are unwaveringly autocratic, at least in respect of individuals they've discarded and consider are just cluttering the place up. To the favoured few though, even the supposedly hardest managers can bend and sway remarkably. So often in football though, you're either in or you're out. And when you're out, the club can suddenly be a lonely and harsh environment for all but those who haven't been its greatest and most loyal servants. Or perhaps unlucky with injury or some other personal difficulty that was no fault of their own. Then clubs can be exceedingly sensitive and generous.
lildave3 Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 I remember when he came on against us, was quality.
Brainy Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 When has Joe Hart ever been fat? Someone argued he was fat on here before
AjcW Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 When has Joe Hart ever been fat? Someone argued he was fat on here before Yes it was me last time , its actually a fact that hes talked about before, not fat, but weighty for a footballer... over the course of the last 2 seasons hes lost nearly 3 stone(well converted to muscle anyway). It not just an opinion its fact.
Corky Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Fair play for making this decision, it can't have been easy, and also very honest. Best of luck to him in the future.
Ultra Posted 20 August 2009 Posted 20 August 2009 Yeah, would have been very easy for him to have gone through the motions and picked up a large salary cheque every month for the next five years. Best of luck to him in whatever he does in the future.
MPH Posted 22 August 2009 Posted 22 August 2009 Think i said to in a different thread, i was hoping for DJ he would be more intrested in quality of life and hapiness than jus collecting the money. Fair play to this young lad, he could if just turned up to training each week, collected the money and sat on his stash until his contract ran out...
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