Ian Miller the former Ipswich Town defender has joined the successful AFC Sudbury Academy as a member of its backroom staff.
After being headhunted by AFC Director of Football Danny Laws, the ex-Ipswich Town, Darlington, Grimsby Town and Cambridge United professional will join up with his new colleagues at the beginning of September.

“We had such a fantastic last year, I sat down with the club and discussed ways to take us on even further and we soon realised that adding to our existing staff would do just that,” said Laws.

“We already have the vastly experienced Dave Cannon alongside Craig Power who bring real energy to both football and education the daily sessions. We have part-time staff Mike Ford, Brian Swift, Paul Appleby and Gavin Peters who bring so much knowledge in their respective fields we just felt that someone of Ian’s background was the final piece in the jigsaw.

“To be honest it was actually not someone of Ian’s background it was Ian who I was after!

“Way back when I first met him as an U16 that I was recruiting for the West Suffolk College Scheme I said he would be a great employee for any organisation and 17 years later that is AFC Sudbury.”

The Academy is not standing on its laurels and has already started where it left off last year, pre-season included a tour the New York to play in the prestigious New York City Cup.

The squad has boosted its size to 40 players and results have been good in the opening fixtures.

“I am extremely excited to be teaming back up with Danny Laws and working with the talented young footballers at the AFC Sudbury Academy,” Miller said.

“Having gone through a similar programme myself 17 years ago I know the importance of striking a balance between the academic and footballing education. I believe with my Sports Science degree and 10 years of professional football I have lots of knowledge and experience to share.”

With grateful thanks to Mike Bacon and the Green Un
www.greenun24.co.uk