The Marcus Evans Group has been revealed as Town's new sponsor. Speculation that the club's owner's business would take over as the club sponsor began as soon as he became involved with the Blues after E.ON announced they would end their connection with Town at the end of last year.

The new deal will stretch until June 2013 and is understood to be worth £4 million. Martin Pitcher, one of Evans's representatives on the Town board, says the link will work well for both parties: "The Marcus Evans Group is a highly successful international business to business information company with interests including conferences, summits, sports hospitality and business training.

"It operates in 65 countries worldwide and is consistently increasing its global reach year on year.

"Ipswich Town's ambition is to establish itself back in the top flight of English football and achieve long-term success in the Premier League.

"The worldwide media coverage that comes with playing in the Premier League and which football attracts in general, provides an ideal platform to further develop awareness of the Marcus Evans brand to an international audience.

"So, through the partnership, we aim to help return Ipswich Town Football Club to the Premier League and maintain the club's status at that level, as well as reinforcing the position of the group as a trusted global brand.”

Town's sales and marketing director Andrew Goulborn added: "There was serious interest from other high profile companies but the long-term commitment and financial support offered by the Marcus Evans Group proved decisive.”

Chief executive Derek Bowden welcomed the move: "The sponsorship deal is another illustration of Marcus Evans's long-term commitment to Ipswich Town Football Club.

"He is determined - as we all are - to see this football club return to the Premier League and stay there and this sponsorship will help us achieve our goal.”

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