Town have appointed Ben Connell as the successor to groundsman Alan Ferguson, who has left the club to take on the role of head groundsperson at St George’s Park, the FA’s National Football Centre at Burton.

Connell was previously working at St Joseph's College and will start his new job at Portman Road later in this month. Ferguson takes up his new position next week.

The 31-year-old says he’s aware he has a big task on his hands to reach the standards of Ferguson’s seven-times award-winning Portman Road surface: "I'm delighted to have been handed the opportunity of working at Ipswich Town with the fantastic facilities the club has.

"I know I have some big boots to fill with what Alan has achieved here, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"I've known Alan for a few years and he's always been there to answer a question and offer some advice.

“My first job is to continue to provide the standard of pitches that he has done, but there's a good team of groundstaff here and I'm confident we can maintain the levels he has set."

Chief executive Simon Clegg added: "I'd like to welcome Ben to the football club. We spoke to a number of excellent candidates, but felt that Ben was in the best position to carry on the fantastic work that Alan and his team have done over the years."

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

WeirdFishes added 16:05 - Aug 4 I GOT MY EYES ON YOU
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algarvefan added 16:10 - Aug 4 Keep it green and lush my son, or I'll send the boys round!!
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yorkshireblue added 16:11 - Aug 4 Fully expecting idiots to start flouncing how this 'lacks ambition' and we should have been after a groundsman with Premier League experience. Best of luck Ben, like you say you have big boots to fill, but I'm sure you'll do a great job.
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Sindre94 added 16:13 - Aug 4 good luck
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SamWhiteUK added 16:15 - Aug 4 Our pitch was always quality last season, and on the football league show it appeared one of if not the most consistent in the league. Let's hope we can carry that on
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rosseden added 16:16 - Aug 4 St Jo's and Ipswich Boys both have excellent facilities, always have done, so im guessing hes pretty good if he was running St Jo's! Im sure Fergie will always be on the end of the phone if hes needed though, im guessing his new boss Mr Sheepshanks wont mind him taking the odd call here and there!
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whiskey added 16:20 - Aug 4 He clearly lacks ambition and premier league experience.
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arc added 16:34 - Aug 4 We should play him at RB. He'd lower the average age of the team.
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NORFOLK_BLUE added 16:35 - Aug 4 need somebody with premier league experience.
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Sindre94 added 16:40 - Aug 4 Im surprised how many fans we have who moans, oh, Im really not surprised. Get a grip fans, give the bloke a fair chance ....
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SeasonTKT_Cobbold added 16:45 - Aug 4 He kept the rugby pitches nice at St Joe's College!!!
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LollITFC added 16:45 - Aug 4 Well done Ben .. good luck.
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robdaful added 16:55 - Aug 4 He use to work under my dad.
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Essex_Tractor added 16:58 - Aug 4 Big boots to fill but I'm sure if he knows Ferguson then the club would have been warned if he couldn't 'cut it' ;)
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ThatMuhrenCross added 17:03 - Aug 4 I can't really offer an opinion. Does anyone know if the St Joseph's grounds are well kept? Also, I understand that is where Marcus Evans lands his helicopter on match days!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:04 - Aug 4 I've got an unopened tin of ITFC grass seed in my bedroom if it's any help!
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simoitfc added 17:04 - Aug 4 Im suprised no one mentiond jimmy bullard fr the job ha ha ha
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lfitchio added 17:17 - Aug 4 I know Ben from St.Jos, absolutely top guy and he knows his stuff about grass.
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Lennyboy added 17:25 - Aug 4 I live near St Jo's and the pitches are very good, we won't have any problems here and as other fans have said; Fergie is only a quick phone call away if he gets in to trouble. Remember Fergie said he will still be living in this area.
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Suzanna_Gekkaloys added 17:37 - Aug 4 I'm not sure about his face.
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Blue_Balls added 17:39 - Aug 4 I'd have given Jimmy Bullard a go.
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dugoutdave added 17:53 - Aug 4 Good luck Ben hope it goes well for you - but watch out for NIck King (known to his friend as Wan) sniffing around for the freebies.
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sereneblue added 18:14 - Aug 4 Wht wasn,t Sito given the job !!!!
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Back_The_Boss added 18:19 - Aug 4 Good luck ben
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bournemouthblue added 18:21 - Aug 4 He kept the Wickets at St Jo's and Felixstowe pretty green also :) Good luck to him, he's obviously a talented Groundsman if Ferguson has hand picked him
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