Blues boss Paul Jewell cited the importance of the club’s community ties after today’s open training day at Portman Road. More than 2,200 people attended in blistering hot weather.

Jewell said: “It was great to see so many people at the ground today and I hope everybody enjoyed themselves.

“I was also delighted to see so many families here, as it shows that today is something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

“It’s well known that Ipswich Town is a family-orientated football club and it’s important we keep these community ties by providing events like today.”

The day’s main event saw the players put through their paces by Jewell and his staff on the main pitch.

Missing were Jimmy Bullard and Jaime Peters — whose contracts are in the process of being settled — and Andy Drury and prospective new addition Cheick Kourouma, who have minor knocks, while summer signing Elliott Hewitt was unwell.

In addition to the training session, there was a signing session afterwards as well as various attractions and events, including a performance by the Uptown Girls, Town’s new cheerleaders, on the practice pitch.

Chops faster than a speeding JET

http://www.twtd.co.uk/news/833.jpg>
align=center>Paul Jewell and his staff watch on

http://www.twtd.co.uk/news/834.jpg>
align=center>Skipper Carlos Edwards

http://www.twtd.co.uk/news/835.jpg>
align=center>Manager Jewell signs autographs

Photo: Action Images

Garv added 17:18 - Aug 10 First picture, big Jase is done, haha!
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raycrawfordswig added 17:21 - Aug 10 Town always did have an important part in the community.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:34 - Aug 10 Yes! This is what makes it our club. Support is based on a sense of belonging, both with the town, the region, and the broader fab base: the blue community. As many initiatives as possible like this one, please. This is why we support Town and not Man. City.
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LancsBlue added 18:56 - Aug 10 Bit of a bad comparison there Steve. My wife is a Man City season ticket holder and I can tell you that the work that they do in the community is exceptional which is why they were getting 30,000 + crowds in the third tier only a few years ago when United were winning everything in sight. Good to see Town doing this kind of thing but it needs to be week in, week out in schools, businesses, community groups etc.

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Garv added 22:20 - Aug 10 Lancs - to be fair it probably was close to week in week out last season. JET and Sonko were visiting schools all the time.
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blue_floyd added 01:44 - Aug 11 I'm surprised this was scheduled for a Friday. 2,200 is a very impressive turnout, but I think even more people would have gone had it been held on Saturday instead.
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s6blue added 08:19 - Aug 11 how has jewell managed to put more weight on this summer?
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