Keeper Shane Supple says he might not have stayed with the Blues if Jim Magilton had remained as manager. The Irishman signed a new one-year deal with Town yesterday.

Supple said: "I played with Jim Magilton and worked for him for three years. I have a lot of time for him.

"But it did not work out for me under his management, and I would have taken that into consideration if he had stayed in charge at Portman Road.

"Once the new manager offered me a chance to stay I talked it over with one or two people and made my decision to give it a go under his regime.

"A one-year deal suits me fine, and it goes without saying that this is going to be a massive year for me when I will be doing all I can to knock Richard Wright from the number one spot.”

Elsewhere, Supple's former academy team-mate Billy Clarke says his move to Blackpool on a free transfer came out of the blue: "An agent got in touch and told me of Blackpool's interest and it went from there really.

"It happened very quickly. I met the manager on Tuesday and had my medical on Friday morning, and I'm delighted to be here and can't wait for the season to start.

"I knew I wanted to stay as high as I possibly could and, fortunately for me, Blackpool have come in for me and it's brilliant for me to still be playing in the Championship.

"I didn't think I'd get another chance to play in the Championship next season, but I'm delighted the Gaffer has given me the chance."

Meanwhile, new chief executive Simon Clegg says Marcus Evans's investment has prevented Town from struggling both on and off the pitch: "Without his involvement I genuinely believe this club would now be seriously threatened both financially and in their ability to succeed on the field.

"And his investment is going to continue. The improvements at our training ground, which apart from one element will be complete by the start of pre-season training on Thursday, and the appointment of fitness coach Antonio Gomez are examples of how the bar is being raised.”

Clegg is continuing Town's policy of not commenting on specific transfer targets but says there are possible deals in the pipeline: "There are potential transfers that are active.”

Manager Roy Keane is looking for four additions to his squad ahead of the 2009/10 season.

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