Former Blues skipper Jon Walters has announced his retirement from football due to the achilles injury which curtailed his loan spell back at Portman Road earlier in the season.

The Republic of Ireland international, 35, was initially at Town between January 2007 and August 2010, having caught manager Jim Magilton’s eye while playing against the Blues for Chester in the FA Cup.

Walters, who cost Town £100,000 plus top-ups, made 132 starts and 14 sub appearances, scoring 31 goals before moving on to Stoke for £2.75 million after falling out with then-boss Roy Keane.

The Birkenhead-born frontman, who won 54 caps and scored 14 international goals, returned to Town in August on a six-month loan from Burnley, who he joined in 2017, but made only two starts and one sub appearance before being ruled out for the rest of his spell after suffering an achilles injury when coming off the bench in September's 0-0 draw with Bolton.

Isn’t it ironic...my Achilles heel has literally been my Achilles heel and finished me off!

I am now retired from playing football

It’s been epic

Veni vidi vici pic.twitter.com/ZC3m0LmYn5– Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) March 22, 2019

Prior to his time with Chester, Walters had been with the Trotters, Blackburn, Hull City (two spells, one loan, one permanent), Crewe (loan), Barnsley (loan), Scunthorpe (loan) and Wrexham.

Photo: TWTD

Bergholtblue added 16:16 - Mar 22 Sad news. Wish him all the best for the future.
12

positivity added 16:38 - Mar 22 shame, all best wishes. definitely magic's best signing (not counting bart!), and a great servant to the club. his injury this season was a real sliding doors moment, might have stayed up with a fit and firing walters, hurst might still be in charge, if,if,if!
8

Suffolkboy added 16:40 - Mar 22 So very sad for JW who simply loved playing football and brought an infectious enthusiasm to any team.My son and I saw the FA cup game and immediately thought JW would be a great addition at PRd. He was disgracefully treated by RK, who told untruths in public , and in interview with Suffolk Radio ,and we lost a gem to Stoke . We both wish him every good wish possible in ‘active ‘ retirement and hope there's some way his talents ,skills and enthusiasm can & will be utilised within the game ! COYB

13

chorltonskylineblue added 16:43 - Mar 22 Fantastic player for us and other teams. Shame it's ended this way, think he would have done a good job for us this season.
7

Butterbing added 16:55 - Mar 22 Sad to hear that injury finished his career. I wish him good luck for the future. I'd love to see him back at PR in some capacity.
6

Pencilpete added 17:12 - Mar 22 Never a 'natural' talent but more than made up for that in hard work and effort and ended up being a Premier League and International player and we helped make that happen which JW acknowledged when he rejoined to help us out in September. it's just a pity he never really got the chance. One thing to remember - JW picked that injury up by playing when he probably knew he wasn't quite ready but we were desperate for a goal in that Bolton match and he put his hand up. one who literally gave everything he had blue shirt and had some others played with that level of commitment and dedication we would not be playing in League 1 next season.

7

midastouch added 17:19 - Mar 22 The Hurst effect
0

midastouch added 17:21 - Mar 22 All joking aside, Walters proved a great value signing. I remember when he looked good against us in the Cup (in the days when we still used to win a few cups games!) and was glad when we signed him. He was glowing example of a player that was able to jump up to a higher league and not look out of his depth. Good in the air too. Remember him playing out wide one game I went to watch and he one just about every ball that was played to him in the air.

5

midastouch added 17:24 - Mar 22 Meant won. Wonder what the future holds for Jon. Talk Sport always seem to be recruiting!
0

ghostofescobar added 17:29 - Mar 22 Damn. I had a daydream the other day that he'd come back to us close season and tear up L1, being a huge part of our successful promotion. Oh well. All the best Jon.
0

cobsy69 added 17:34 - Mar 22 I would like all ITFC players to play with the energy and commitment that he did, thanks Jon.
5

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:04 - Mar 22 Sad way for it to end for him good player. Big Jims best signing?
0

DebsyAngel added 20:11 - Mar 22 Sad news. A terrific player, never gave less than 100% . One of my favourite ever players. Best of luck for whatever you do in the future.
2

Lightningboy added 20:51 - Mar 22 Best of luck Jon..certainly has the personality to either make it as a coach or pundit.
1

not_a_witty_name added 22:22 - Mar 22 Legend
0

Fen69 added 03:31 - Mar 23 Very sad news, what a great recent Town player that slipped away thru the Dark Lord's reign, Stoke and the Premiership got to see what a good player we lost, was excellent he came back to us this season willing to help and showing his loyal Blueness. Best wishes Jon for your retirement.
1

algarvefan added 08:35 - Mar 23 Incredible motor, huge enthusiasm, great goalscorer. Always gave 110%. Best wishes for the future John, thank you for your loyal service to the club and it's a shame your career has been cut short by a few years, think you would have made a huge difference to our side this year. Just wasn't to be.
3

dirtydingusmagee added 10:27 - Mar 23 100% ,tough as old boots,very good player , shame to see injury finished playing career, GOOD LUCK Jono, whatever you move on to.
0

Tampa_Florida_Blue added 15:53 - Mar 23 I say sign him as a striker coach.
1

MichaelRockyLavelle added 17:17 - Mar 24 such a sad day for Walters, but I have a morbid satisfaction that his last professional match was for Ipswich Town. I think we really should try to get him as a striking coach (as many others have said) To give our strikers confidence, improve their aerial & scoring technique & to instil that never-say-die attitude that he embodied as a player
0

woohoo added 17:45 - Mar 24 Good, honest striker - who always gave his best. Glad he made it to the PL.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls