Town have confirmed that award-winning groundsman Alan Ferguson is leaving the club to take up the role of head groundsperson at St George’s Park, the FA’s National Football Centre at Burton. TWTD reported that former Blues chairman David Sheepshanks, the chair of the project, was targeting Ferguson back in April.

Seven-times Groundsman of the Year during 12 seasons at Town, Ferguson says he's looking forward to his new position, which he starts in August: "It's an enormous challenge for me but one I am looking forward to taking on.

"I'll be heading up the grounds team at the new National Football Centre and one of the initial tasks we have is replicating the pitch the England side uses at Wembley so that the players can train on a similar surface.

"In many ways it's a similar situation to when I started at Ipswich, with the Playford Road training ground project but obviously there will be some fantastic resources at Burton. I'm sad to be leaving Ipswich. You always feel like that when you enjoy where you work.

"My family have grown up in the area and with me at the club so Ipswich has been a big part of not only my life but my family's as well.

"We're massive Town fans and we will be staying in the area. Whenever I'm not working, I'll be watching the team play."

Chief executive Simon Clegg, who is working with the Scot to find his successor, paid tribute to Ferguson’s time at Portman Road: "I'm disappointed to see Alan leave the club but fully understand that he is taking up perhaps the biggest groundsman's job in the country.

"I'd like to thank him for his fantastic and loyal service to this football club, creating terrific playing surfaces at not only Portman Road, but also at the training ground.

"He has made a highly valued contribution over the last 12 years and I wish him every success for the future."

Photo: Action Images

BROTHERBLUE1974 added 20:12 - Jul 25 Now that's a big shame for the club, he's done a amazon job since he's been at upswich. One of the best signings I've seen down here for a while!.
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marcusevans added 20:12 - Jul 25 Oh well. The grass is always greener!
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algarvefan added 20:12 - Jul 25 Good luck Alan & thanks for giving us the perfect playing surface, pity the football hasn't matched the surface in recent years lol
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Big_Foot_Blue added 20:13 - Jul 25 Huge Loss, but hugely supported by the fact Ferguson is playing a role looking for his successor and happy for him to get basically the England groundsmans job
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RegencyBlue added 20:18 - Jul 25 Bloody Sheepshanks!!!
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langeydong added 20:19 - Jul 25 The only "world" class member of the Itfc team, gutted.
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Hamish1979 added 20:22 - Jul 25 Nice Marcus, I like it, any more grass puns? Since when has Sheepshanks been responsible for employing gardeners for the FA. How the mighty have fallen.
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rosseden added 20:22 - Jul 25 i hope hes trained his assistant well and he can step up to it........?!
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OnlyOneSuperJim added 20:23 - Jul 25 Best of luck Alan - You have done an excellent job over the years and a nice bloke too, You will be working with a decent boss in DS and wish you all the best
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alfromcol added 20:24 - Jul 25 Sod it!
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robdaful added 20:24 - Jul 25 Big loss. We've always had one of the better pitches because of him.
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Dissboyitfc added 20:24 - Jul 25 a sad day indeed, good luck alan , been a very loyal servant.. COYB
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arc added 20:30 - Jul 25 Replicate the Wembley surface??? We'd better let him take one of our tractors.
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Chicago_Blue added 20:39 - Jul 25 More gutted about this than losing Wickam, McCauley and Norris combined! ;-)
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legoman added 20:40 - Jul 25 Gardeners are 10 a penny. Next. Its all about the firtiloiser.
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marcusevans added 20:41 - Jul 25 Will he be raking it in at the FA?
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 20:47 - Jul 25 He is a cut above the rest so no surprise to see him cutting it at a higher level!
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Tractamatt added 20:47 - Jul 25 So now its a a cb,rb, a creative midfielder and a world class groundsman we're looking for how stable are we in the catering department.In all seriousness you did a superb job and your successor has so much to live upto.All the best.
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mark1969 added 20:50 - Jul 25 might need a bunker mentality this season with our present defence , better get in a golf groundsman !! Great guy you could have left us well before now to go to other clubs , a very loyal servant hope he is honoured with a dinner or something by the club .
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 20:54 - Jul 25 Mark1969 - Good idea, a links course design with a large sand trap along the edge of the penalty area with rough grass and gorsebushes in the 6 yard box. At the other end a smooth green with a flag to aim at in the center of the goal. Just got to figure out what to do at half time!
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Mungo added 20:55 - Jul 25 Gutted! Good luck with the new job Mr Ferguson!
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Nath added 21:00 - Jul 25 Farewell our jolly green giant. All the best Alan and thanks.
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confoosed_dot_com added 21:00 - Jul 25 A real grass act,he will be hard to replace. Let's just draw a line. I'm sure the assistants will pitch in for now. He was a lawn unto himself. In my defence: a) it is late b) all the best ones had gone
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nkotb_sect5 added 21:01 - Jul 25 Turf him out, he can't cut it. Only joking. Top man.
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BlueBlood74 added 21:05 - Jul 25 Legend. Best wishes Alan.
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