ALEX Mathie will always have a special place in the hearts of Ipswich Town fans.His hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City in February 1998 ensured his cult status for all time.

Elvin King

ALEX Mathie will always have a special place in the hearts of Ipswich Town fans.

His hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City in February 1998 ensured his cult status for all time.

Now the 39-year-old is back involved with the Blues.

He is acting as a summariser for BBC Radio Suffolk for Town away games in the north of England.

Mathie, who is now a manager at the Royal Mail, did his first stint alongside commentator Brenner Woolley in Saturday's 3-0 victory at Burnley.

“I don't seem to have lost my lucky touch,” said Mathie, who lives in Leeds.

“It was an enjoyable experience, and I am looking forward to my next action in the press box.”

Mathie had a special reason to look forward to the match at Turf Moor as his 11-yearold son Connor is a big Town fan.

“He was born in Ipswich and this is the team he supports,” added Mathie, who is involved in sporting activity with around 60 youngsters on Saturday mornings in the Leeds area.

“The club arranged a seat for him and his elder brother who is a Newcastle fan having been born when I was playing at St James Park.”

Mathie played for Ipswich from 1994 until 1998, and made 133 appearances scoring 47 goals.

He went on to play for Dundee United, Preston and York before being involved in non-league football with Pickering.

“Of course I shall never forget the goals I scored against Norwich City,” he said. “It has to be one of the highlights of my career.”