By Aston
June 2 2005

Former Ipswich Town striker Darren Bent has thanked Town’s supporters for backing him during his time at Portman Road.

Bent left Portman Road for the last time yesterday to sign a four deal with premiership side Charlton Athletic.

 

Bent: “I've had a fantastic time at Ipswich but all players need to progress when they have the opportunity.

 

“I would have definitely stayed with Ipswich if we had got promoted but it wasn't to be. I want to thank the fans and the coaches and all the lads for all the great times that we had at Ipswich.

 

“The majority of supporters have been fantastic to me ever since I made my debut when I was 17 and before that in the youths and reserves. The majority of the times at Ipswich were good days, playing in Europe and things like that, but now I have the chance to play in the Premiership with a terrific club like Charlton.

 

“I spoke to Matty Holland about Charlton and he told me they were a very similar club, in many ways to Ipswich, but this would be a great opportunity, and when someone like Matty says things like that then you have to listen.

 

“It is a shame to see the Ipswich team breaking up, if it does. There are a lot of terrific lads there and we were very, very close.

 

“I have always been able to answer the challenge that has been asked of me and I have seen, when I have been with the England Under-21s, that I can hold my own with Premiership players and I'm confident that I can do well in the Premiership with Charlton.”

 

Source: EADT.

 

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