Natasha Thomas has today pledged her future to Town after turning down an approach from Women's Championship side Lewes.
Thomas, 24, joined the Blues from Lowestoft Town in 2015 and has since gone on to score 83 goals in 103 appearances for the Tractor Girls. Since joining the club, Natasha has claimed the club golden boot award in every season to date and remains a pivotal part of Town's squad.
She has enjoyed another excellent season in front of goal so far and currently tops the Blues' goalscoring charts with 18 goals in all competitions. As a result of her strong start to the current campaign, Town received an approach from the East-Sussex side as they look to bolster their squad for the second-half of the season.
Lewes, who are currently 7th in the Women's Championship table, are a well established side within the women's game and famously became the first football club in England to pay both their men and women equally. After having some time to consider her options, Thomas has decided to commit her future to Ipswich Town and is ready to play her part in helping the club to achieve their ambitious plans.
On the recent approach from the Women's Championship side, Thomas said: " First and foremost I'd like to thank Lewes for their interest in me. To be recognised by a reputable Championship club like them means a lot to me and I'm humbled by the approach. It was a strange feeling to hear I had been approached by a higher division side who pay their men's and women's players the same. It felt good that I had been noticed individually but also for the club as well, especially when we have such an array of talented players."
She added: " At this moment in time I couldn't see myself playing for anyone other than Ipswich Town. The club has done so much for me in recent times and I can't wait to play my part in an exciting future. I feel like I have so much more to give here and more great times to share with the club, teammates and fans."
Unsurprisingly, Town boss Joe Sheehan was delighted with the decision: " It was no surprise to us that a higher league club had approached us about one of our players. We would've been supportive of Tash if it was something she wanted to pursue but we're delighted that she's decided to stay with us and we're hopeful that she will continue her excellent form."
She has enjoyed another excellent season in front of goal so far and currently tops the Blues' goalscoring charts with 18 goals in all competitions. As a result of her strong start to the current campaign, Town received an approach from the East-Sussex side as they look to bolster their squad for the second-half of the season.
Lewes, who are currently 7th in the Women's Championship table, are a well established side within the women's game and famously became the first football club in England to pay both their men and women equally. After having some time to consider her options, Thomas has decided to commit her future to Ipswich Town and is ready to play her part in helping the club to achieve their ambitious plans.
On the recent approach from the Women's Championship side, Thomas said: " First and foremost I'd like to thank Lewes for their interest in me. To be recognised by a reputable Championship club like them means a lot to me and I'm humbled by the approach. It was a strange feeling to hear I had been approached by a higher division side who pay their men's and women's players the same. It felt good that I had been noticed individually but also for the club as well, especially when we have such an array of talented players."
She added: " At this moment in time I couldn't see myself playing for anyone other than Ipswich Town. The club has done so much for me in recent times and I can't wait to play my part in an exciting future. I feel like I have so much more to give here and more great times to share with the club, teammates and fans."
Unsurprisingly, Town boss Joe Sheehan was delighted with the decision: " It was no surprise to us that a higher league club had approached us about one of our players. We would've been supportive of Tash if it was something she wanted to pursue but we're delighted that she's decided to stay with us and we're hopeful that she will continue her excellent form."
