Ipswich Town host Watford in the NPower Championship at Portman Road; Carlos Edwards and an upset Aaron Cresswell applaud the fans at the end

Jewell wants future signings to settle in Suffolk – just like Aaron Cresswell

By Stuart Watson
Friday, February 3, 2012
3:31 PM

HOUSE-HUNTING Aaron Cresswell is ready to settle in Suffolk – something manager Paul Jewell hopes to see more of from any future signings.

Former Blues boss Roy Keane insisted all his players should live within half an hour of the club’s Playford Road training ground, memorably falling out with the likes of Ben Thatcher and Kevin Lisbie as a result.

Jewell lifted that restriction when he took charge though, with many of his new additions – including the likes of Jimmy Bullard (Surrey) and Lee Bowyer (south Essex) – choosing to commute to work.

It’s a far cry from the days when players upped sticks and moved to Suffolk upon signing, often falling in love with the area and remaining there after hanging up their boots.

The likes of Alan Brazil, John Wark, Mick Mills, Allan Hunter, John McGreal and Matt Holland – to name but a few – still call East Anglia home to this day.

“The problem with Ipswich is that we’ve got a lot of players that don’t live here,” admitted Jewell. “I’m not saying the players aren’t committed to the club – I’m not saying that at all – I just can’t expect players on a one-year contract to up sticks and move here because by the time the chain for their house goes through they could have left the club.”

He continued: “The market dictated that we had to make a lot of short-term decisions last season, but I really think we’ve got to get away from these short-term deals in football.

“What we want to try and do is get people to see this as a long-term move and put down their roots.

“If you look at the former players – the John Warks, the Russell Osmans, all those people – they all stayed in this area after their careers because it’s such a lovely area to live.

“Young Cressy (Aaron Cresswell) is saving up for a deposit on a house at the moment which is great.

“We need to get back to having a core of seven or eight players who are in the team and likely to be at the club for the next two, three, four years at least. I’m working on that.”

Left-back Cresswell, who was signed from Tranmere aged 21 last summer, has been a virtual ever-present for the Blues in his debut season in the Championship.

His impressive start to life at Portman Road saw him quickly awarded with a new long-term deal which could, potentially, keep him at the club until 2016.

“When I came down at the start of the season I didn’t know anyone,” said Cresswell. “I was a young lad who had never lived away from home – I was still living with my mum – so yeah it’s been a big change.

“It’s a lot different to Liverpool – a lot quieter – but I love it here. My missus has come down now which makes it easier and hopefully in the next couple of weeks I’ll have my house.”

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10 comments

With Clegg and Jewell not living here on a permanent basis, this is just do as I say, not do as I do, and very poor as a result. Keane showed commitment by moving his family here, and that was unmatched by the club, frankly.

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Kevin Bailey

Monday, February 6, 2012
martin elmy, your info on Clegg and Jewel's rented properties indicates that they are both short stays then ? GOOD !!

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Brian Betts

Monday, February 6, 2012
ummm, i thought i read somewhere that mr jewell lives in a rented house in essex and mr clegg in a rented apartment on the docks - might be easier to attract players to ipswich if the bosses also had roots in the county

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martyn elmy

Sunday, February 5, 2012
"We've got to get away from these short term deals" says Jewell Well give Luke Hyam a longer than 1 year deal then !!!!!! Jewell you seem to talk before you put your brain? into gear.

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Brian Betts

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Did you ask Jewell where his family lives?

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Rob Steroo

Saturday, February 4, 2012
This could be a bad move for the lad, we all know how jewell dislikes young players and prefers the old-hasbeens. Soon as he gets a house, he could be selling it again as jewell has off loaded him for peanuts.

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ged scott

Friday, February 3, 2012
Cresswell has without doubt been one of the best purchases, all we need is another one like him on the other side. Perhaps there's another one living in Godalming ( Mick Mills) , one can only dream. Nice the lad is settling here. Perhaps it would be a good idea to roll out a few of the settlers that live in this area when we are trying to sign someone to extol the virtues. Come on Delia do us a favour, or perhaps not.

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whymarkmariner

Friday, February 3, 2012
What stupid comments. Pete get off chops back.we need support not comments like that.

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brisie58

Friday, February 3, 2012
Nice sentiments from Jewell. This area (in the main) is a fantastic place to live, especially for families to grow up. In fact, for those players that want the nightlife etc, perhaps they aren't the dedicated players we want anyway? Thing is, if Jewell can't even convince his family to live down here, how will he succeed with players? Another 'Jewell's Jibber' fail.

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I am Spartacus

Friday, February 3, 2012
I’m surprised “young Cressie” has to save for a deposit!!! Perhaps I’m overestimating the wage of a Championship first teamer. Either that or he’s been spending too much time with Chops….

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Pete James

Friday, February 3, 2012

Jewell wants future signings to settle in Suffolk – just like Aaron Cresswell

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