FLW went through eight former Tractor Boys who, surprisingly, are still playing.
Their playing squad has really changed over the years and while the focus will be on the exciting collection of talent that the Tractor Boys currently have, it’s also interesting to dive into the archives and analyze some of the players.
their opponents at the time.
other than those you simply don’t believe are still playing in 2023.
Be prepared for a few surprises here, and with that said, let’s get straight to the point...
Carlos Edwards
Carlos EdwardsIpswich Town
We started strongly with Carlos Edwards, who has played a key role in Ipswich’s fairly recent history.
Equally as adept on the right wing as he was at right-back, Edwards was signed from Sunderland in 2009 and made 191 appearances over a five-year period before joining Millwall two years later.
He then played in his native Trinidad and Tobago, but interestingly he has now spent six years playing in Suffolk – a second home if you will.
These spells were with Woodbridge Town, Bury Town and most recently Hadleigh United, who he signed for in the summer.
Surprisingly, Edwards will celebrate his 45th birthday – yes, you read that right – next month, so you just have to step back and appreciate his determination to stay in the game regardless of level.
how much.
Hadleigh currently play in the Eastern Counties League and are placed in the Premier Division (tier 5).
Kevin Bru
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34-year-old midfielder Kevin Bru stands slightly further away from Portman Road than Edwards, but the fact that he is still playing is nonetheless a surprise, as is the league in which he plays..
The French-born Mauritius international made just over 100 appearances for Ipswich between 2014 and 2018 and also continued to play as a journeyman after his departure.
He then played in Cyprus, Romania and the country’s lower leagues, but Bru now plays in Iceland with IBV Vestmannaeyjar, who he also signed in the summer.
He has made three appearances for them so far, including two starts.
Michael Chopra
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We told you to prepare for some surprises, and are you looking forward to hearing that Michael Chopra is still acting in 2023.
Chopra has seen it all, previously winning the Champions League and Premier League before becoming one of the second division’s most feared goalscorers in the late 2000s, which he maintained into the season first with Ipswich in the 2011/12 campaign after signing for Cardiff.
City.
The goals dried up the following year and he finished his two years at Portman Road with 18 goals to his name before leaving Blackpool and embarking on a more nomadic career.
And, as of 2022, the newest destination is West Allotment Celtic, bringing Chopra back to familiar Northeast territory.
Due to the striker’s extremely low level of play, official statistics cannot be accessed, but with no indication that Chopra has left the club or announced his retirement, it can be assumed that he still here.
Sito Castro
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A name little known on English shores and perhaps among Town’s younger supporters, Sito Castro may be forgotten and you will be shocked to learn that at 43, he is still playing football.
Castro spent three years at Ipswich between 2005 and 2008, with the rest of his playing career before and after in his native Spain, and nothing has changed on that front.
He is currently believed to be playing in the fifth division of Spanish football with CD Calahorra’s reserve team.
Brett Pitman
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Brett Pitman also remains active at a lower level.
One of the great goalscorers in Bournemouth’s history, Pitman never really found his footing at Ipswich after moving in 2015 and returned to the south coast two years later with Portsmouth, scoring 15 goals.
After 70 matches in Town colors.
Initially a huge success at Fratton Park, goals eventually dried up there and he moved on to Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers before returning to the south coast again with non-league side AFC Portchester.
Unsurprisingly, Pitman found his scoring form there and has scored 44 goals in the 2022/23 season.
The 35-year-old currently plays for Shaftesbury in the Wessex League Premier Division.
David Norris
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You could be forgiven for completely forgetting that David Norris is still playing football at the age of 42, but he is another former Ipswich player who decided to continue playing despite all the obstacles at that age.
The attacking midfielder made 118 appearances for Ipswich over a three-year period and after spending time with Portsmouth and Leeds United, he moved down the football pyramid.
From Yeovil Town to Leatherhead and pre-League Two Salford City to Shaw Lane and Boston United, Norris has now spent the last five years with Lancaster City in the seventh tier.
Again, just respect it.
Conor Sammon
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The former Republic of Ireland international has never been able to succeed in English football, and the unfortunate 20 games he played for Ipswich in the 2014/15 season then on loan from Derby County were by no means an exception.
rule.
neither does that.
Having played prolifically in Scotland, Sammon returned north of the border in 2016 to sign for Hearts and continues to this day with third-tier side Alloa Athletic.
Ben Pringle
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The end of the game was a real surprise, not only because he was still playing but also because of who he was playing now.
Ben Pringle is currently at Fleetwood.
No, not Fleetwood Town in League One, but Dubai-based Fleetwood United, who play in the third tier of UAE football.
They are sister club to the Seasiders and recruited Pringle as player/manager after he left Altrincham in June.
The 34-year-old midfielder was loaned to Ipswich by Fulham in 2016 and appeared 10 times, scoring 2 goals.