Chief executive Simon Clegg says clubs whose supporters have a reputation for causing trouble should pay more towards policing when they are playing away from home. Town have spoken to the Football League and are asking other sides for their thoughts on the issue.

The Blues chief executive believes it’s unfair that home sides are hit financially because of opposition supporters: “When you have a club like Leeds or Millwall come down, who have got a reputation of having difficult fans, the police will grade the match higher than if we were playing Barnsley.

“At the moment we have to bear those additional costs, although some of them are absorbed by the police and not the full cost is handed on in every instance.

“You could argue that it’s unfair that we as the home club have to absorb that additional cost of policing as a result of the behaviour and reputation of the away fans. It’s an interesting debating point.”

Clegg says the club have made their thoughts known to the authorities: “The Football League are aware of our views and we will canvass support from some other clubs to see how they feel about it. We are financially disadvantaged by certain clubs coming to this town.”

The former British Olympic Association chief is pleased that the home derby with Norwich City has been switched to a Thursday evening, having previously been scheduled for Good Friday lunchtime: “It’s a great win for the club and hopefully it will be on the day as well.”

Photo: Action Images

sotd78 added 16:09 - Nov 11 Stick the price up for those clubs consdiered troublesome (oh we mostly do) and use the additional profits to pay the fuzz. Honestly this club of ours are getting so far out of touch its untrue!
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whoppit added 16:14 - Nov 11 I agree 100% with cuddly Cleggykins. Cardiff, Leeds and Millwall football clubs should have to fork out to cover the extra police presence at their away games. Why should Suffolk police and tax payers have to pay more when these crappy fans come to town? Also, these away fans need to be kept behind for at least 30 mins after the game so the home fans can get home safely. It is a disgrace that home fans are inconvienienced like we were when Millwall were here !!!!

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BrianTablet added 16:22 - Nov 11 Why should clubs pay at all? Will the police charge universities for yesterday's demo? I don't think so. Do they charge shops for arresting shoplifters or pubs/clubs for aggro caused by them? I doubt it very much. It's yet another case of our over-zealous accountability culture. My taxes pay nurses/doctors to be trained but even if i don't need their services, I'm happy to pay for others to have them around.

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sonian_blue added 16:35 - Nov 11 Maybe if the clubs in question were accountable (financially) for the idiots that cause trouble then they would do more to solve the problems. Well said Clegg
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SouperJim added 16:56 - Nov 11 whoppit the police football liaison officer has already said they can't hold away fans inside the ground because the guidleines for such practice have changed. Plus if they did keep them inside the ground there is a risk they would cause damage, giving you something else to whinge about.
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BlooooCD added 17:26 - Nov 11 He must have more important issues to raise than this.... I'm behind the club, team and manager 110%! But the negativity around portman road just now is like a damn cancer!!! we need to start filling the stadium with life, encouragement and belief... starting with reducing the ridiculously overpriced tickets! Lowest numbers in a decade and did I see the other month that we are one of the most expensive clubs to watch in the country... Something has to change - policing of games is surely the least of our worries! COYB's!

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Ipswich24 added 19:26 - Nov 11 Proves Clegg knows nothing about football never comes out to comment on performances or style of play just talks drivel bout trivial matters
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shoopdelang added 19:27 - Nov 11 i dont understand why the police have to be payed? surely it is taxpayers money that has already payed for them...
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Vexorg added 19:44 - Nov 11 Using a similar discrimainatory argument, shouldn't clubs that play less entertaining football have lower ticket prices?
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moomoosereni added 20:21 - Nov 11 Agree with Clegg to some extent but also agree with others suggesting there are more important things for him to be worrying about right now, like signing another striker and stabilising the club. How about be more concerned Mr Clegg with there being less than 18,000 at PR tues night. Embarassing when you see scum up the road getting more in and there stadium holds less. Games where we know we won't get big crowds, I will never understand why they don't offer cheaper tickets to get more bums on seats. They won't have to worry about it if/when we get back into the premiership, the seats will sell themselves but as we are at the moment I can't see why a slight reduction isn't called for.

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robdaful added 20:40 - Nov 11 Maybe evans has told clegg he need to find ways to make money to pay his own wages. that's why ticket prices are high and now he wants money from other clubs.
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Back_The_Boss added 20:53 - Nov 11 Millwall and West Ham would go bust if that was to occur!
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Notts_tractor added 20:54 - Nov 11 Can I just congratulate Brian Tablet on his name and profile picture? I too am old enough to remember the hapless David Coleman suffering momentary dyslexia when mentioning the midfield dynamo that was "Noddy" Talbot...
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warwickblue added 22:06 - Nov 11 I've never really understood the "paying for the police" thing very clearly. Which officers are actually paid for by the club? The ones inside and immediately outside the ground? What about those outside the bars a little way from the ground, or in the Town centre or on the Cattle Market before or after games? Or does the club just pay for a fixed number of officers depending on the classification of "risk" at each game - and leave their actual deployment to senior officers. Also - unless ALL the officers are working overtime, then surely they've been paid for already haven't they - by us - and so the club shouldn't need to pay for them again. Can anyone throw any light on this?

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MaySixth added 23:08 - Nov 11 Absolute rubbish Clegg. How do you define "trouble" ? Another post-Sky football person totally out of touch
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BlueArmy01 added 23:25 - Nov 11 Maybe the next idea should be Fans to pay less for dull Football £2.50 to get in at Portman Road anyone...........
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kesgraveultra added 08:11 - Nov 12 Clegg you're so out of touch it's unbelieveable, you really haven't got to grasp with football have you? Get back to jogging and jumping where you're in your comfort zone. Please can we have a football person in charge?
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Brazilian added 08:19 - Nov 12 Trouble is usually between 50 or so of 2 clubs...QPR always fancied their chances.Villa was another one...the majority of Millwall Leeds are just that FANS. We have a great reputation of being a friendly club......however I hate the Scousers.
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hollywoodginge added 08:47 - Nov 12 I think its fans like half of you lot that are out of touch! im proud to be a town fan 100% but embarrased by some of you lot, only ever happy to have something to moan about or a figure at the club to hate.
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moomoosereni added 12:06 - Nov 12 Warwickblue in answer to your question the cub has to pay for officers in the ground and some immediately outside. The ones that patrol the pubs etc on whole the Police are responsible. Its prob about half and half to be honest, except obv when the troublemakers are expected. Problem is the police have to be cautious. Grade a game wrong and theres a lot of trouble and they arent prepared there'd be some serious q's being asked!!

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LincsBluebelly added 12:33 - Nov 12 I really can't believe some of the pathetic comments on here to this article. Firstly, let's make it clear that ITFC wouldn't make any profit out of this...they have to pay for policing for home games so why wouldn't we want they away team to contribute more if the police have to up their presence for teams with "difficult" fans? Secondly, how can so many people make a negative comment about something which is just plain common sense? I'm only surprised that this hasn't been blamed on Keane yet!

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warwickblue added 18:58 - Nov 12 moomooserini -thanks for that insight.
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tom_the_blue added 16:13 - Nov 18 well said cleggy
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