ANDY Drury has handed in the keys of his digger truck for a professional football contract and he’s now planning to motor ahead with his Ipswich Town career.

It’s been a fairytale two-and-a-half years for the midfielder who at the age of 27 now finds himself in the Championship and set to be in Town’s squad for today’s league game against Sheffield United at Portman Road (kick-off 3pm).

Drury became manager Paul Jewell’s first permanent signing on transfer deadline day on Monday but could not feature in Tuesday night’s 2-1 win at Derby County due to a delay in the completion of his paper-work.

Signed from Blue Square Premier Luton Town, Drury is now determined to cement a lengthy future in the game starting against the Blades this afternoon.

“I did building work from about the age of 19 to 24 - digger driving, and stuff like that,” revealed Drury.

“I used to get up at 6am, get back home at 5pm, and then go training.

“I’ve been a full-time footballer for the last two-and-a-half-years, but the building site has made me appreciate this lifestyle.

“It’s a little bit easier than getting up at 6am! I appreciate being paid to play football.”

Chatham-born Drury played for Kent clubs Sittingbourne and Gravesend (now Ebbsfleet United) earlier in his career. After a spell at Lewes, he turned professional to play for Stevenage and then Luton.

“I always wanted to be a professional footballer as a kid, but where I lived, there was only Gillingham and no one else,” continued Drury.

“I had a few trials and also trained and played reserve games when I was 18 or 19 at Derby and Gillingham. But I wasn’t ready for it at that age.

“Last summer I was beginning to think that it might not happen for me, but I had a good six or seven months at Luton.”