2015–16 Ipswich Town F.C. season explained

Club:	Ipswich Town
Season:	2015–16
Stadium:	Portman Road
League:	Championship
League Result:	7th
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	Third round
Cup2:	League Cup
Cup2 Result:	Third round
League Topscorer:	Daryl Murphy / Brett Pitman (10)
Season Topscorer:	Brett Pitman (11)
Highest Attendance:	23,615 (vs QPR, 26 December 2015, Championship)
Lowest Attendance:	16,488 (vs Blackburn Rovers, 15 March 2016, Championship)
Average Attendance:	18,989
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Prevseason:	2014–15
Nextseason:	2016–17

The 2015–16 season was Ipswich Town's 14th consecutive season in the second tier of English football and 138th year in existence.^[1] Along with competing in the Championship, the club also participated in the FA Cup and League Cup. The season covered the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.

This was to be Mick McCarthy's third full season as manager, having taken charge in November 2012.^[2] In January both McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor extended their contracts with the club until the summer of 2018.^[3]

Kits

Supplier: Adidas / Sponsor: Marcus Evans Group

First-team squad

Left club during season

First-team coaching staff

Position	Name
scope=row	Manager	Mick McCarthy
scope=row	Assistant Manager	Terry Connor
scope=row	Goalkeeping Coach	Malcolm Webster
scope=row	Fitness Coach	Andy Liddell
scope=row	Head Physiotherapist	Matt Byard
scope=row	Assistant Head Physiotherapist	Alex Chapman
scope=row	Kitman	James Pullen

Pre-season

On 27 May 2015, Ipswich Town announced they will travel to Ireland to face Shelbourne on 11 July 2015.^[4] A second friendly was announced a day later when the club confirmed they will travel to face Cambridge United.^[5] Also confirmed on 28 May 2015 was friendlies against Fortuna Düsseldorf^[6] and Colchester United.^[7] On 29 May 2015, Ipswich Town announced a friendly against Peterborough United.^[8] On 9 July 2015, Ipswich announced a home friendly against Dutch side Utrecht.^[9] On 23 July 2015, Ipswich announced a XI side will travel to face Bishop's Stortford;^[10] the match was subsequently postponed following torrential rain.^[11]

Competitions

Football League Championship

See main article: 2015–16 Football League Championship.

Matches

On 17 June 2015, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.^[12]

FA Cup

See main article: 2015–16 FA Cup.

League Cup

See main article: 2015–16 Football League Cup. On 16 June 2015, the first round draw was made, Ipswich Town were drawn at home against Stevenage.^[13] Ipswich Town were drawn away to Doncaster Rovers in the second round.^[14] The third round draw was made on 25 August 2015 live on Sky Sports by Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson. Ipswich Town were drawn away to Manchester United.^[15]

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
23 June 2015					Free transfer	^[16]
26 June 2015					Undisclosed	^[17]
31 July 2015					Undisclosed	^[18]
3 August 2015					Free transfer	^[19]
3 August 2015					Free transfer	^[20]
4 August 2015					Free transfer	^[21]
20 August 2015			Jonathan Henly		Free transfer	^[22]
24 August 2015					Free transfer	^[23]
28 August 2015					Undisclosed	^[24]
28 August 2015					Free transfer	^[25]
22 January 2016					Free transfer	^[26]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Until	Ref.
25 June 2015					End of season
2 July 2015					End of Season	^[27]
2 January 2016					End of Season	^[28]
12 February 2016					24 April 2016	^[29]
17 March 2016					End of Season	^[30]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
1 July 2015					Released
1 July 2015					Released	^[31]
1 July 2015					Released
1 July 2015					Free transfer
1 July 2015					Free transfer
1 July 2015					Released
1 July 2015					Released	^[32]
24 June 2015					Free transfer	^[33]
25 June 2015					£8,000,000	^[34]
3 July 2015					Free transfer	^[35]
28 August 2015					Compensation	^[36]
21 December 2015					Free transfer	^[37]
1 January 2016					Released	^[38]
13 January 2016					Undisclosed	^[39]
22 January 2016					Released	^[40]
28 January 2016					Mutual consent	^[41]
1 February 2016					Mutual consent	^[42]
1 March 2016			Sam Ford		Free transfer	^[43]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date until	Ref.
3 August 2015					3 January 2016	^[44]
28 August 2015					2 January 2016	^[45]
29 September 2015					25 October 2015	^[46]
25 November 2015					1 January 2016	^[47]
26 November 2015					20 December 2015	^[48]
26 November 2015					3 January 2016	^[49]
26 November 2015					10 January 2016	^[50]
22 February 2016					1 June 2016	^[51] ^[52]
11 January 2016					11 March 2016	^[53]
24 March 2016					1 June 2016	^[54]

Squad statistics

All statistics updated as of end of season

Appearances and goals

|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders}|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Players transferred out during the season|-

Goalscorers

width=0%	No.	width=0%	Pos	width=0%	Nat	width=0%	Player	width=0%	Championship	width=0%	FA Cup	width=0%	League Cup	width=0%	Total
11	FW		Brett Pitman	10	0	1	11
9	FW		Daryl Murphy	10	0	0	10
14	MF		Ryan Fraser	4	1	1	6
20	FW		Freddie Sears	6	0	0	6
10	FW		David McGoldrick	4	0	1	5
4	DF		Luke Chambers	3	0	0	3
22	MF		Jonathan Douglas	3	0	0	3
5	DF		Tommy Smith	2	0	0	2
7	MF		Ainsley Maitland-Niles	1	1	0	2
15	MF		Ben Pringle	2	0	0	2
17	MF		Kévin Bru	2	0	0	2
2	DF		Jonathan Parr	1	0	0	1
3	DF		Jonas Knudsen	1	0	0	1
6	DF		Christophe Berra	1	0	0	1
12	FW		James Alabi	0	0	1	1
12	MF		Liam Feeney	1	0	0	1
15	DF		Tommy Oar	0	1	0	1
18	MF		Jay Tabb	0	0	1	1
25	DF		Josh Yorwerth	0	0	1	1
41	MF		Andre Dozzell	1	0	0	1
42	MF		Luke Varney	1	0	0	1
Total				53	3	6	62

Assists

width=0%	No.	width=0%	Pos	width=0%	Nat	width=0%	Player	width=0%	Championship	width=0%	FA Cup	width=0%	League Cup	width=0%	Total
20	FW		Freddie Sears	9	0	0	9
4	DF		Luke Chambers	5	0	0	5
10	FW		David McGoldrick	1	0	4	5
9	FW		Daryl Murphy	4	0	0	4
5	DF		Tommy Smith	3	0	0	3
11	FW		Brett Pitman	3	0	0	3
14	MF		Ryan Fraser	2	0	1	3
3	DF		Jonas Knudsen	2	0	0	2
7	MF		Ainsley Maitland-Niles	2	0	0	2
20	FW		Kévin Bru	2	0	0	2
42	FW		Luke Varney	2	0	0	2
6	DF		Christophe Berra	1	0	0	1
12	MF		Liam Feeney	1	0	0	1
22	MF		Jonathan Douglas	1	0	0	1
29	DF		Josh Emmanuel	1	0	0	1
30	DF		Myles Kenlock	1	0	0	1
39	MF		Larsen Touré	0	0	1	1
44	DF		Kevin Foley	1	0	0	1
Total				41	0	6	47

Clean sheets

width=0%	No.	width=0%	Nat	width=0%	Player	width=0%	Championship	width=0%	FA Cup	width=0%	League Cup	width=0%	Total
1		Dean Gerken	8	0	0	8
33		Bartosz Białkowski	8	0	0	8
Total			16	0	0	16

Disciplinary record

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Championship		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
2	DF		Jonathan Parr	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
3	DF		Jonas Knudsen	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
4	DF		Luke Chambers	9	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
5	DF		Tommy Smith	7	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
6	DF		Christophe Berra	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
7	MF		Ainsley Maitland-Niles	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
8	MF		Cole Skuse	3	0	1	0	0	0	4	0
11	FW		Brett Pitman	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
14	MF		Ryan Fraser	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
15	MF		Tommy Oar	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
16	MF		Giles Coke	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
17	MF		Kévin Bru	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
19	DF		Luke Hyam	3	1	0	0	0	0	3	1
20	FW		Freddie Sears	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
21	DF		Piotr Malarczyk	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1
22	MF		Jonathan Douglas	7	1	0	0	0	0	7	1
24	MF		Adam McDonnell	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
30	DF		Myles Kenlock	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	0
39	MF		Larsen Touré	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
42	MF		Luke Varney	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
44	DF		Kevin Foley	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Total				63	2	1	1	5	0	69	3

Starting 11

Considering starts in all competitions^[55]

Awards

Player awards

Award	Player	Ref
Player of the Year	Bartosz Białkowski	^[56]
Players' Player of the Year	Bartosz Białkowski	^[57]
Young Player of the Year	Andre Dozzell
Goal of the Season	Kévin Bru

Football League Championship Player of the Month

Notes and References

1. News: Ipswich Town Complete History . Statto . 2015-05-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150418064114/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/ipswich-town/history . 2015-04-18 . dead .
2. News: Mick McCarthy: Ipswich Town appoint ex-Wolves boss. BBC Sport. 2016-05-21.
3. Web site: Pearce . Steve . Mick McCarthy contract extension until 2018 . 2016-05-21 . www.itfc.co.uk . 24 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160624134503/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/mick-mccarthy-contract-extension-until-2018-2915191.aspx . dead .
4. News: Town Travel To Ireland . Ipswich Town FC . 27 May 2015 . 27 May 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710033905/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/town-to-face-shelbourne-in-pre-season-2472892.aspx . dead .
5. News: Town To Face Cambridge Pre-Season . Ipswich Town FC . 28 May 2015 . 28 May 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710011259/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/cambridge-v-town-pre-season-2473736.aspx . dead .
6. News: Dusseldorf Date For Blues . Ipswich Town FC . 28 May 2015 . 28 May 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710024758/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/fortuna-dusseldorf-v-town-2474499.aspx . dead .
7. News: Colchester Friendly Announced . Ipswich Town FC . 28 May 2015 . 28 May 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710034602/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/colchester-friendly-announced-2473132.aspx . dead .
8. News: Posh Date Added To Pre-Season Programme . Ipswich Town FC . 29 May 2015 . 29 May 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710024851/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/peterborough-friendly-confirmed-july-25th-2474944.aspx . dead .
9. News: Town to face FC Utrecht in home pre-season friendly . Ipswich Town FC . 9 July 2015 . 9 July 2015 . 10 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150710025230/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/town-to-face-fc-utrecht-in-home-pre-season-friendly-2535193.aspx . dead .
10. News: Town XI Face Bishop's Stortford . Ipswich Town FC . 23 July 2015 . 2015-07-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150724034336/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/town-xi-face-bishops-stortford-2568038.aspx . 2015-07-24 . dead .
11. Web site: 24 July 2015 . Game off: Bishop's Stortford friendly with Ipswich Town called off . 1 August 2015 . Herts and Essex Observer . 5 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150805071408/http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/CANCELLED-Bishop-s-Stortford-friendly-Ipswich/story-27478486-detail/story.html . dead .
12. News: Ipswich Town fixture list 2015/16 . Ipswich Town FC . 17 June 2015.
13. News: Capital One Cup 2015/16 Round 1 Draw . Capital One Cup . 16 June 2015 . 2015-06-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150617124706/http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/capital-one-cup-201516-round-1-draw-2494383.aspx . 2015-06-17 . dead .
14. News: Capital One Cup round 2 draw . Capital One Cup . 14 August 2015 . 13 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150816223755/http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/capital-one-cup-round-2-draw-2617994.aspx . 2015-08-16 . dead .
15. News: Capital One Cup round 3 draw . Capital One Cup . 25 August 2015 . 26 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905185055/http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/news/article/capital-one-cup-round-3-draw-2647014.aspx . 5 September 2015 .
16. News: Ipswich Town to sign Josh Yorwerth from Cardiff City . Ipswich Town FC . 23 June 2015 . 23 June 2015 . 23 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150623154302/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/ipswich-town-to-sign-josh-yorwerth-from-cardiff-city-2503934.aspx . dead .
17. News: Brett Pitman joins Ipswich Town from AFC Bournemouth . Ipswich Town FC . 26 June 2015 . 26 June 2015 . 27 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150627003346/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/brett-pitman-joins-ipswich-town-from-afc-bournemouth-2507330.aspx . dead .
18. News: Jonas Knudsen Joins Ipswich Town . Ipswich Town FC . 31 July 2015 . 31 July 2015 . 31 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150731194902/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/ipswich-town-to-sign-danish-international-jonas-knudsen-2584305.aspx . dead .
19. News: Giles Coke Signs For Town . Ipswich Town FC . 4 August 2015 . 3 August 2015 . 3 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150803191547/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/giles-coke-joins-ipswich-town-on-a-free-transfer-2591165.aspx . dead .
20. News: Town Secure Larsen Toure . Ipswich Town FC . 4 August 2015 . 3 August 2015 . 3 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150803191549/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/larsen-toure-signs-for-ipswich-town-2591071.aspx . dead .
21. News: Town Add Jonathan Douglas To Squad . Ipswich Town FC . 4 August 2015 . 4 August 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053841/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/jonathan-douglas-joins-ipswich-town-from-brentford-2589145.aspx . dead .
22. News: Henly Signs and Alabi Offered Deal . TWTD . 20 August 2015 . 10 April 2020.
23. News: James Alabi Signs . Ipswich Town FC . 24 August 2015 . 24 August 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111945/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/james-alabi-2643171.aspx . dead .
24. News: Town Sign Piotr Malarczyk . Ipswich Town FC . 28 August 2015 . 28 August 2015 . 3 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151003221721/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/ipswich-town-sign-piotr-malarczyk-on-two-year-contract-2653716.aspx . dead .
25. News: Tommy Oar To Join Blues . Ipswich Town FC . 28 August 2015 . 28 August 2015 . 3 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151003212343/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/tommy-oar-2653795.aspx . dead .
26. Web site: Kevin Foley: Ipswich Town sign former Luton and Wolves defender . BBC Sport . 22 January 2016 . 10 October 2019.
27. News: Ainsley Maitland-Niles joins Ipswich Town from Arsenal . Ipswich Town FC . 2 July 2015 . 2 July 2015 . 2 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150702193930/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/ainsley-maitland-niles-joins-ipswich-town-from-arsenal-2521301.aspx . dead .
28. News: Barnsley Youngster Joins on Loan . TWTD . 2 January 2016.
29. News: Ipswich Town: Fulham winger Ben Pringle joins on loan. BBC Sport. 12 February 2016. BBC. 15 February 2016.
30. News: Feeney Loan Signing Confirmed . TWTD . 17 March 2016.
31. News: No New Deals For Five . Ipswich Town FC . 18 May 2015 . 18 May 2015 . 26 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170226002138/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/mick-mccarthy-2461840.aspx . dead .
32. News: Hewitt and Marriott Released, No Deals Yet for Anderson, Ambrose, Chaplow and Hunt Brothers . TWTD . 18 May 2015 . 10 April 2020.
33. News: Omar Sowunmi joins Yeovil Town from Ipswich Town . Ipswich Town FC . 24 June 2015 . 24 June 2015 . 25 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150625212842/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/omar-sowunmi-joins-yeovil-town-from-ipswich-town-2503676.aspx . dead .
34. News: Bournemouth break transfer record to sign £8m Tyrone Mings from Ipswich . The Guardian . 25 June 2015.
35. News: Southend United have signed Anthony Wordsworth . Sky Sports . 3 July 2015.
36. News: Scorer of U14s' 'Barcelona' Goal Joins Arsenal . TWTD . 28 August 2015 . 7 September 2020.
37. Web site: Connolly Joins Bray Wanderers . TWTD . 21 December 2015 . 10 April 2020.
38. News: Collison Set to Move On . TWTD . 8 December 2016 . 10 April 2020.
39. News: Parr Completes Strømsgodset Switch . TWTD . 13 January 2016 . 10 October 2019.
40. Web site: Tommy Oar leaves Ipswich Town. Sports Mole. 22 January 2016 . 2016-01-22.
41. News: Alabi Leaves By Mutual Consent . TWTD . 28 January 2016 . 9 April 2020.
42. News: Henshall Leaves Town . TWTD . 1 February 2016 . 10 April 2020.
43. News: West Ham Confirm Ford Signing . TWTD . 1 March 2016 . 10 April 2020.
44. News: Clarke Loaned To Pompey . Ipswich Town FC . 3 August 2015 . 3 August 2015 . 3 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150803191546/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/ipswich-town-defender-matt-clarke-joins-portsmouth-on-loan-2589877.aspx . dead .
45. News: Cameron Stewart Joins Doncaster On Loan . Ipswich Town FC . 28 August 2015 . 28 August 2015 . 3 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151003203750/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/cameron-stewart-joins-doncaster-on-loan-from-ipswich-town-2652922.aspx . dead .
46. News: Yorwerth Makes Crawley Move . Ipswich Town FC . 29 September 2015 . 29 September 2015 . 1 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151001030707/http://www.itfc.co.uk/news/article/josh-yorwerth-joins-crawley-town-on-loan-2716693.aspx . dead .
47. News: 25 November 2015 . Alabi Joins Grimsby on Loan . 9 April 2020 . Ipswich Town FC . 25 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211125212939/https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/28527/alabi-joins-grimsby-on-loan . dead .
48. News: Hyam's Rotherham Loan Switch Confirmed . TWTD . 26 November 2015 . 10 April 2020.
49. Web site: 26 November 2015 . Josh Emmanuel: Ipswich defender joins Crawley on loan . 18 February 2024 . BBC Sport.
50. News: Crowe Joins Stevenage on Loan . TWTD . 26 November 2015 . 10 April 2020.
51. News: Robinson Joins Woking on Loan . TWTD . 22 February 2016 . 10 April 2020.
52. News: Crowe Rejoins Braintree . TWTD . 12 February 2016 . 10 April 2020.
53. News: McCarthy Confirms Crowe Joining Braintree on Loan . TWTD . 11 January 2016 . 10 April 2020.
54. News: Malarczyk Joins Southend on Loan . TWTD . 24 March 2016 . 10 April 2020.
55. Web site: All Ipswich Town players: 2016.
56. Web site: Białkowski Wins Player of the Year . twtd.co.uk (Those Were The Days) . 3 May 2016 . 9 April 2016 .
57. Web site: Bialkowski Players' Player of the Year. TWTD.co.uk. en.
58. Web site: Mick McCarthy named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month . 2015-12-11 . www.football-league.co.uk . 22 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222133658/http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/mick-mccarthy-named-sky-bet-championship-manager-of-the-month-2844292.aspx . dead .
59. Web site: 11 December 2015 . Ipswich Town striker Daryl Murphy has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for November. . 26 March 2016 . football-league.co.uk . 22 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222113048/http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/daryl-murphy-named-sky-bet-championship-player-of-the-month-2844291.aspx . dead .