Last month, Slovakian side FC Spartak Trnava announced a pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town.

That game is yet to be confirmed by Ipswich, but it’s understood that will take place at the end of a planned training camp in Austria

Ipswich Town: Ex-Blues keeper takes on bespoke role in non-league

Former Ipswich Town goalkeeper David Stockdale has taken on an unsual combination of roles at non-league club York City following his release by Sheffield Wednesday.

The 37-year-old found himself a free agent after starting 27 games for an Owls side that recently secured League One promotion via the play-offs.

Rather than wait to see what sort of offers might come in, the experienced custodian – who made 18 appearances on loan for Ipswich in 2011 – jumped at the chance to return to the club where he made his debut aged 17.

At York City, who finished 18th in the National League last season, he will combine playing duties with a Head of Recruitment position.

“It was one of the things I wanted to do, to come back here,” said Stockdale.

“I didn’t express that to anybody but my family, but 20 years after I made my debut, to come back and try and help while I can, I’m really pleased…

“I could have stayed just playing in the EFL, but I also wanted to go into that side of it… I’ve been getting experience of it alongside doing my FA courses. So it’s something that I’ll be doing in between helping the gaffer, and basically trying to put in place things for the future of this club.”

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