HOME boy Liam Trotter is desperate to be involved in something great because he knows first hand just what it means to this part of East Anglia to win promotion.

Derek Davis

HOME boy Liam Trotter is desperate to be involved in something great because he knows first hand just what it means to this part of East Anglia to win promotion.

Even though Ipswich born and bred Trotter was more interested in playing than watching eight years ago when the Blues last battled their way to the top flight he can remember how much it meant.

Now, as a player who has just signed a new contract, Trotter can't even get a taxi without it being drummed home even further.

With 12 games to go, starting at Southampton today, Ipswich are superbly poised for a top six finish and another day out at Wembley.

Trotter said: “Everyone has a chance of being involved something great and that is winning promotion.

“It was all about playing for me when I was younger, but I can still remember that promotion and what it meant for the area.

“Now I'm even more involved and everyone is talking about it, even when I'm getting a taxi or whatever, it is all people want to talk about. It means so much for the area and we have a chance of doing something great.

“If we all do what we are meant to do, we know we can achieve promotion.

“It is a probably a bit more special because I'm local. I have a lot of supporters because I'm from Ipswich.

“I played with and against a lot of people from here when I was younger and my mum's brothers and uncles are all there to support me too.”

The arrival of Velice Sumulikoski, Alan Quinn and David Norris has meant Trotter's first team involvement has dwindled but he is determined to be ready when his next chance comes along.

He said: “I'm not playing at the moment but I'm staying positive because I know I'm only one injury or suspension away from being involved.

“All I can do then is the best I can in the time I'm on and I have shown I can score or play my part when I can.”

While Trotter was given an extra year, others were less fortunate with fellow Ipswich lad Ollie Fenn allowed to join Galway United, while Michael Synnott and Andrew Plummer have also been told they will not be kept on.

Trotter said: “I was upset for Ollie but he is a really good player and I'm sure he will do well at another club.

“In my first year when I saw boys released but after a couple of years you realise it is all part and parcel of football.

“I was not too sure if I was going to get a new contract but with three new players coming in who are all midfielders so I was in limbo.

“But I decided not to worry about it, just get on with what I had to do and focus on doing well and scoring goals hoping the manager would reward me.

“I feel I have done enough to show I'm worth a new deal and I have got one.”