IPSWICH TOWN: Connor Wickham’s father Stefan today put paid to all speculation about his sought-after son leaving Portman Road when he said: “My boy’s going nowhere.”

Wickham senior, who is a high ranking officer in the Army based at Colchester, has overseen the striker’s career that reached new heights when the teenager scored the winning goal in England’s 2-1 win over Spain on Sunday that won them the European Under-17 Championship.

Along with Town’s academy staff and agent Paul Goddard, Wickham senior has been Connor’s guiding light.

And with Premier League clubs like Sunderland and Tottenham reported to be ready to sign a cheque to the value of �5million-plus to sign the front man, Wickham junior’s situation has been of concern to every Town fan.

But now they can rest easy with Wickham set to lead the Blues’ front line for the next two seasons – at least.

Uttering the words all success-starved Ipswich supporters wanted to hear, Wickham senior said: “Connor’s going nowhere.

“It’s got nothing to do with money.

“It’s about backing his development.

“There is always speculation but that is what it is.

“Connor has a very good two-year deal at Ipswich, and this is where he’s going to stay.

“His best line of action is to be playing regular first team football, and he’ll be available to do that with Ipswich for the foreseeable future at least.”

Wickham senior also revealed that it was his son’s choice to join the schoolboy set up at Portman Road after the family moved to Colchester.

“Connor was with Reading for four years, and when we moved house they understood that it was best for him to leave,” said Wickham.

“The boy was 11 or 12 at the time and there was interest from West Ham, Tottenham and a number of other London-based clubs.

“But Connor had liked what he saw when he had played against Ipswich for Reading, and it was his choice.

“In fact, every footballing decision he has made has been his choice with us backing him all the way.

“If the lad is happy he will perform better, and the way Ipswich have brought him through has been superb.

“I telephoned the club and Connor played in a friendly game and scored five goals. He was taken on and the rest is history.”

Wickham senior, who works in the military prison at Colchester, was in Liechtenstein to see his son also score twice in the semi-final while playing a leading role in England winning their first major trophy for 17 years.

And he mixes in unnoticed with Town fans at away games.

“I’m happy to go in with the away supporters,” he said. “They are the real fans.

“They don’t know who I am, and I can see the banter – and the support – that goes on.

“Ipswich fans are fantastic home and away, but it is away where the passion really comes through.”

N (SQUARE) David Wright, whose contract at Portman Road runs out at the end of the month, is said to be interesting Leeds United and Charlton. Norwich have also been linked with the defender who would like to stay in the area if possible.