Jamie Godbold heads for Premier League with Ipswich Town

Departing Blues boss Jamie Godbold will end a 20-year association with his hometown club this weekend - as he prepares for new challenges ahead after being headhunted by Ipswich Town FC.

Godbold is set to take on the position of Coach Development Manager within the academy at Ipswich next week after stepping down as Lowestoft boss.

Blues boss Jamie Godbold, centre, with Sam Johnson and Harvey Sayer after Lowestoft were crowned Isthmian League North Division 2023–24 champions. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

As The Trawlerboys manager for the past seven seasons heads to the dugout at the Fosters Solicitors Community Stadium on Saturday to oversee his 16th-placed Southern League Premier Central division side's home encounter with Harborough Town (3pm kick off), it is likely to be an emotional occasion for the fans favourite.

Blues boss Jamie Godbold with the trophy earlier this summer after Lowestoft were crowned Isthmian League North Division 2023–24 champions. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

However he will still be involved with Lowestoft - in his Director of Football role with the club, and supporting the board of directors on a consultancy basis.

His new role with Ipswich starts on Monday, and Godbold will be based at the Premier League club's training ground at Playford Road in an office "not too far" away from first team boss Kieran McKenna.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna speaks to his players during a training session. Picture: MatchDay Images Limited/Richard Calver (Image: MatchDay Images Limited/Richard Calver)

It also comes a decade after Godbold and McKenna had both taken their UEFA A Licence football coaching qualifications on the same course.

Godbold said: "My role will be to support and develop the coaches, particularly those involved with nine to 14-year-olds, and be in and around the club on a day-to-day basis to support the academy coaches.

"The opportunities to work with the staff there is amazing - it really is - Ipswich is a Premier League club who are doing really well and they're in a strong position with a lot of good things happening.

"The lure of all those things was too tough to say no to - for me, my family, my career.

"It's a phenomenal opportunity - it really is too good a chance to turn down - and I'm really looking forward to it.

"But it also is really bittersweet, being associated with Lowestoft for as long as I have.

"It is a hell of wrench to leave - my heart, my blood is blue through Lowestoft, my hometown."

Godbold reserved "a massive thank you" to all of the staff, directors, volunteers, players - current and past - and fans at Lowestoft for their support, admitting he had "been overwhelmed" by so many wonderful messages this week.

Jamie Godbold, left, and Andy Reynolds, right, on their return to Lowestoft Town in May 2018. Picture: Lowestoft Town FC (Image: Archant) Almost six-and-a-half years ago, in May 2018, Godbold returned to his hometown club as first team boss with trusted assistant manager Andy Reynolds.

As a player the tricky winger had excelled in a glittering, trophy-laden career with Lowestoft that spanned 500 appearances for The Trawlerboys over 13 years.

Jamie Godbold in playing action for Lowestoft Town FC. Picture: Newsquest archives (Image: phcimages 2010) He scored 155 goals in that time - putting him in 11th place in Lowestoft's goalscoring charts - after signing in August 2000 following his release from Stoke City.

By reaching 500 club appearances for Lowestoft - with his final Blues appearance a cameo showing in the Suffolk Premier Cup Final at Portman Road in May 2013 - Godbold is currently fourth in the club's all time appearance charts.

Lowestoft Town skipper Jamie Godbold celebrating with more silverware as a player. Picture: Newsquest (Image: Archant � 2010) And now his career is set to go full circle - as more than a decade on he will be heading to the Premier League with Ipswich Town.

Jamie Godbold on his final, 500th Lowestoft Town appearance as a player in the Suffolk Premier Cup Final at Portman Road in 2013. Picture: Steve Gardiner (Image: Steve Gardiner)

With the Lowestoft players informed by Godbold after a fine 2-5 away win at Hitchin Town on Tuesday night, a spokesman for the club's board of directors said: "While we are all gutted to be losing Jamie, this was too good an opportunity for him to miss."

Andy Reynolds, during his time as Lowestoft Town assistant manager. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Club officials moved swiftly to seal a new replacement as first team manager - with stalwart clubman Andy Reynolds returning to Lowestoft as the new boss on a permanent basis.

Lowestoft assistant manager Jordan Southgate is also stepping down at the club and moving onto new challenges.