Ipswich Town nemesis Nahki Wells reveals regret at turning down the Blues seven years ago
Nahki Wells - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Ipswich Town’s weekend nemesis Nahki Wells has revealed how he instantly regretted turning down a chance to extend a trial period at Portman Road seven years ago, which would have probably led to him signing for the club.
The Huddersfield hitman scored a brace in the Terriers’ 2-2 draw in Suffolk, extending the Yorkshire side’s unbeaten run to six games and denying Ipswich, who had led 2-0, victory.
Town were keen to sign Wells, who was 17 at the time, but the homesick teenager returned to Bermuda – a decision he instantly regretted.
“I was especially pleased to score after being on trial here,” said Wells.
“I asked (Ipswich defender) Tommy Smith if he remembered me and he didn’t – he might now.
“I reminded him I had been on trial but I was very young and I was homesick so I squandered the opportunity.
“Ipswich asked me to stay a bit longer and think about it but I just didn’t want to make such a big change.
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“Ipswich thought highly of me but I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. They wanted me to stay but I just wanted to go back to Bermuda.
“As soon as I landed on the flight home I realised I had done the wrong thing because Ipswich is a fabulous club with great facilities, stadium and fans, I’m just glad I was able to get back at this level.”
Wells went on to play for the Dandy Town Hornets in his native Bermuda before returning to England and playing for non-league Eccleshill, and then in the Football League with Carlisle and then Bradford City.
Wells added: “Ipswich is a fantastic club, so it was great to come back here and get a couple of goals as I could have been here.
“You can’t dwell on these things and when I got another opportunity to play in England I took it and things have worked out well.”
