NICK Colgan is enjoying living in the real world again after being made to feel like an alien at Barnsley.Although he has yet to start in a senior game, the Blues back up keeper is so happy at Portman Road he is hankering after a permanent.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

NICK Colgan is enjoying living in the real world again after being made to feel like an alien at Barnsley.

Although he has yet to start in a senior game, the Blues back up keeper is so happy at Portman Road he is hankering after a permanent.

Although his family are still living in South Yorkshire Colgan is enjoying his work again and that is a far cry from his final few months at Oakwell.

Colgan said: “I didn't come here to sit on the bench but that is the way it has turned out. It is strange but I'm much happier sitting on the bench here than I was at Barnsley even though I'm 200 miles from my family.

“I was made to feel like an alien at Barnsley. I was totally alienated there and ignored.

“After playing something like 46 games the year before and then not to be part of the manager's plans was hard. I came here and was made to feel a big part of things. Even though I'm on the bench I feel there is that carrot there that if I perform well there is an opportunity to be involved.

“My family are happy that I'm happy even though there is a wide gap between us.”

Despite his feelings towards Simon Davey and staff, the anger does not extend to his former team-mates.

When Town played there recently it was obvious that Colgan was held in great affection by the players and supporters and that feeling is mutual.

Colgan said: “When I see the results I was gutted for them in the semi-finals. I was gutted for all the players that I still keep in touch with. I really hope they can get a result over the next couple of games to keep them up.

“If they don't get anything against Charlton it may be quite tough for them going to the last game but I hope they do it.”

Free agent Colgan arrived at Ipswich at the end of the January transfer window as back up to Stephen Bywater who is on loan from derby with Neil Alexander signed for rangers and Shane Supple on loan at Falkirk.

Although he has yet to make his debut Colgan has seen enough to want to stay.

He said: “I'm pretty sure we will be sitting down this week to see what the future holds for me. To be honest it is not about what happens with Nick Colgan, or whether Jason De Vos signs his contract, the most important thing is about getting the points to go up.

“It doesn't matter to me if we put it on the back burner for a couple of weeks or so, the important thing is the team.

“I have seen enough for me to want to stay. I said when I first came that this was a proper professional football club and everything I have seen since, from Wayne the kit man to the manager, it is such a professional football club.

“Any footballer worth his salt would want to play at a football club like this and I'm no different.

“The training, the dedication and ability of the lads and the passion of the manager has been a breath of fresh air.”

But the 34-year-old admits being frustrated at being a number two and feel he has a good four years playing first team football in him.

He said: “It is always difficult when you come to a club and you're not involved but that decision was down to the manager.

“The reserve league is not the most competitive and the things you get to do in those games are few and far between so there is not much chance to impress.

“I would have loved the opportunity to show of my abilities.”

You never know - he may be out of this world.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk