Reports over the Bank Holiday weekend suggest once more that Greene King's shirt sponsorship with Town may be about to end. The names mentioned as replacements were all the usual ones, BT, National Power and NTL with BT cited as a favourite.

Greene King are, as expected, keen to continue their relationship with Town in some capacity with the sponsorship of the South Stand rumoured to be their aim. Town have said that this will be up for sponsorship and this is more in the price range of the Bury-based brewery.

It is unlikely that any shirt deal will be announced until it is clear which, if any, European competition Town will be in next season.

Town groundsman Alan Ferguson's Town pitch has been voted the best pitch in the Premiership. The Town turf fought off fierce opposition from Arsenal and Sunderland, but was seen as a better surface than either of those.

A triumphant Ferguson said: "The award took into account all sorts of things including how much the pitch is used for reserve games. I'm delighted with this news."

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls