Fabian Wilnis - a football gentleman

I HAD the pleasure of interviewing Fabian Wilnis earlier today in preparation for a feature on the Dutchman’s years at Portman Road.

The long-serving defender spoke at length of his time at Ipswich Town, recalling with a smile the many highs and occasional lows of a career in Blue.

He also remembered standing on the Feyenoord Rotterdam terraces as a boy, his passion for the game fuelled by the dazzling skills of Johann Cruyff and Ruud Gullit.

For those who have never met him, Fabian is a genuinely decent guy.

Articulate, warm and the consummate professional, it’s not difficult to understand why the 38-year-old is still held in such high regard by Town fans.

But what struck me the most was Fabian’s appreciation of being able to play the game he loves for a living - and his honour at being able to represent Ipswich Town so loyally for nine distinguished years.

Compare his career to the glut of spoilt Premier League millionaires who change clubs at the same rate they replace their Baby Bentleys.

Fabian’s passion for football has even seen him jump into the non-league game and the austere surroundings of Grays Athletic just so he can continue playing.

A self-professed Ipswich fan, Fabian thoroughly deserves his testimonial this summer, where he will formally announce his retirement from football.

Hopefully Blues fans will turn out in force to honour and bid farewell to a true Town legend.