Town will not be entering a side in the Suffolk Premier Cup in 2013/14. The Blues re-entered the competition, in which they field a reserves team, last season after a two-year absence, losing 1-0 to Lowestoft at the semi-final stage.

Club secretary Sally Webb told the Suffolk FA website why the decision had been taken: “We have always enjoyed being part of the competition, and I am sure that our decision may disappoint local teams.

“However, when we entered the competition last year we did not know what our programme of games would be for the new EPPP Premier Academy League U21s.

“We had not been competing in the Combination Reserve League in the 2011/12 season and at the time welcomed the extra games.

“Having had a full season of Premier Academy League fixtures we feel that it is not appropriate to be part of the competition at this time.

“Many of our U21s games had to be changed and it is difficult to fit the county cup fixtures in as they have to be played at specific times.

"The U21s have to travel far and wide to fixtures, and scholars are also undergoing education which has to take priority.

“A lot of professional clubs don’t take part in their county cup competitions for all sorts of reasons, but we have always been pleased to do so.”

Suffolk FA chief executive Laura Smith added: “Whilst we are disappointed, as no doubt the participating clubs will be, that Ipswich Town will not be competing in next season’s competition, we fully understand their reasons.

“Ipswich Town’s presence enhances the profile of the competition as well as giving the non-league clubs the possibility of against the county’s professional team and the obvious benefits that this brings with it.

“However, it is anticipated the Premier Cup, along with three of our other county cups, will still culminate in the showpiece final at Portman Road courtesy of Ipswich Town at the end of the season.

“We are excited to work in partnership with Ipswich Town in the forthcoming season and would like to take this opportunity to wish Mick McCarthy and his team every success.”

Photo: Action Images

murraybrunning added 12:45 - Jun 27 Makes sense really with increased strain on the U21s expected this year. I'm glad we're allowing the final to be at Portman Rd to give some of the non-league guys the chance to play at a big stadium and on (what will hopefully be) a nice quality pitch.
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itsonlyme added 14:49 - Jun 27 Not sure about this one. I kinda understand what the club are saying, but I would have thought that they could have put out some kind of team to give the county sides some sort of game. Disappointed with this decision.
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shefkuqi32 added 15:32 - Jun 27 Agree with the dissapointment. Can a big club like Ipswich not even have the resources to field a reserve side to compete and represent. Don't see the other teams like Lowestoft etc with 42+ games pulling out (and that's their first team).
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Wickets added 15:42 - Jun 27 Me too dissapointed with this.
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Daleyitfc added 18:47 - Jun 27 Poor and illogical decision : with the massive squads that all clubs have these days, this would be an opportunity for 'fringe' players over the age of 21 to get a few games in.
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BlueVelvet added 12:36 - Jun 28 Weak excuses.
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theobald1985 added 13:13 - Jun 28 agree with shefkuqi32 and other this is ridiculous with no good reason. we can easily put a team out in this we must have load of players with the club over 16 but not in the first team and they should be playing as much as possible at this age. it robs good local non league sides of a chance for a good evening on the gate and if I was at the suffolk FA i would have come out and openly critisised the club. it appers arrogant and in reality the better non league sides like bury leiston needham and sudbury present just as good a challenge as this under 21 league they play in.

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wubblewoo added 16:00 - Jun 28 They seem like perfectly valid reasons to me
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theobald1985 added 16:50 - Jun 28 wubblewoo please explain how on earth those reasons can be valid given the number of players we have from 16 upwards signed for the club who could play?
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