Ian Atkins was keeping tight-lipped today over speculation linking him with the vacant managers' job at Ipswich Town.

The former Colchester United player-boss and ex-Blues star refused to be drawn when quizzed about his prospects of being appointed as the new chief at Portman Road.

Atkins declined to comment on whether he had applied for the job or whether he had been approached by Ipswich.

Currently in his second season as manager at Third Division Oxford, he insisted: "This is speculation I'm not prepared to get myself embroiled in.

"The Ipswich chairman won't like it and his board of directors won't like it.

"Ipswich are a great club and I have too much respect for all the people involved there."

But did he throw in a veiled clue when he said: "George Burley and Jim Smith both moved on to greater things after enjoying their first taste of management with Colchester."

Published Wednesday October 16, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette