Town’s season ticket sales ahead of the 2016/17 campaign are down almost seven per cent on the same point a year ago. The early bird deadline for purchasing seats at the cheapest prices passed at midday on Monday.

Current sales are similar to those at the same point in the summer of 2014 and represents a drop in revenue of around £200,000.

It had been expected that the Blues would suffer a drop this summer after a less successful season - particularly at home - last year’s play-off finish having boosted sales to just over the 14,000 mark.

The Blues are ultimately likely to see season ticket numbers drop back to somewhere around 13,000 - not as far as some speculation has suggested - leading to an overall reduction of around £400,000 in revenue.

Asked about the anticipated drop in season ticket sales on Saturday’s Life’s a Pitch on Radio Suffolk, Blues MD Ian Milne said: “That’s a pity, we’re still up there. I understand what people say about it not being attractive football, but you can play attractive football and be in the relegation zone.

“We’re not in the relegation zone, we’re currently eighth and hopefully we’ll get higher. I don’t think anything’s changed in many ways. Yes, we’d love to be in the top six, but we’re still a great football club with a great following.”

He added that manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans will meet in the summer to talk about their plans for the season ahead.

“The budget’s gone up [during 2015/16] and there’s going to be a discussion between Mick and Marcus in the summer about players and we need to wait for that,” the Blues MD continued.

“But I have no reason to think that he’s not going to continue to invest at or above the level he’s investing at the moment. There could be more money available, as there has been this season.”

As is the case every year, season ticket sales are currently suspended until Town’s divisional status for next year has been finally confirmed.

Photo: Action Images

blueboy1981 added 17:20 - Apr 14 ....... if the figures are correct, seems there's been much hot air from certain supporters - but very little action. Am I surprised on either count ? ....... NO - it's just typical of what to expect.
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blueboy1981 added 17:27 - Apr 14 Evans and McCarthy are shrewd people - they will have both assessed by now that they will be able to get away with whatever they want to. One word for it - MUGS. And i don't mean the above mentioned either ..... !!!
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HarryS_H added 17:42 - Apr 14 Surprises me that one season that didn't go to plan where we will finish top 10, not that bad for a bad season, Causes "loyal" fans to abandon ship. Shame really
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grumpyoldman added 17:43 - Apr 14 People who comment if you don't like it go and support some other teams do not understand what being a true supporter means, once you choose your team you are irrevocably attached to the club. Supporting another team however successful they are is an anathema to them, I may not like the present regime but I will be a true supporter of this club long after MM has departed. Anybody who casts aspersions on my allegiance can Foxtrot Oscar!

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HarryS_H added 17:44 - Apr 14 I'm glad to see that all these people protesting and refusing to buy season tickets under mick are a small portion of people. They'll all come crawling back when we kill it next year.
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blues1 added 17:52 - Apr 14 This reduction in takecup of season tickets has nothing to do with the increase in price, which lets face it guys, is minimal. It's about the style of football being put out by McCarthy. And the true effect of this decrease in sales won't be properly realised till those who pay by direct debit, and are not renewing, comes into effect. Then we should get a better picture of how big the decrease in sales really is

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TrueBlue1998 added 17:53 - Apr 14 Not surprising considering the lack of investment we're suffering from. We've got a manager who's proved he can get results out of nothing, now its time to see what he can do with some money
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Taricco_Fan added 17:54 - Apr 14 @jas0999 Agreed on the comment about not everyone being able to have a season ticket. I guess to be a 'true supporter' you have to give up a career that requires weekend and night work. This is why the extortionate matchday ticket prices are unfair.
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blues1 added 17:59 - Apr 14 and one other thing. there will im sure be many who are waiting to see if maccarthy goes or not before deciding whether to renew or not. so that could have a bearing on the final numbers
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blueboy1981 added 18:14 - Apr 14 Harry S ........ you may well be a school kid, I don't know. However, if you are a driver and you go to your local fuel station to buy petrol / diesel, and pay for such - but get water. You won't go back for more, now will you ,,,? When they start selling the right product again - you'll most likely go back. So you are absolutely right - I have cancelled my Season Ticket for next season because the product is not what I have paid £thousands for over the years. But - I will be back if the entertainment becomes worth the outlay again - as it once was. Simple analogy I know - but sometimes it's necessary .... !!

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thebeat added 18:22 - Apr 14 I know a lot of people on the 12 month direct debit who have let their season ticket renew in the hope McCarthy goes to Villa before 3rd May when the first payments due. If he doesnt they will just cancel. You wont get a true refelction until the summer. I reckon 11,500 to 12,000.
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HackneyBlue added 18:26 - Apr 14 It really needed to be more,as they do not deserve any fans for that pile of crap i witnessed this year-we will be back but only when the club make an effort to engage with the fans needs
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EssexTractor added 19:40 - Apr 14 The first match I recall seeing was v Bristol City in 1958, then and in that fabulous 1961-62 season I stood on a beer crate to see the pitch, the real first glorious ITFC era, when life was simpler, certainly football was. It is difficult to now recount every move but literature ( and my vast programme collection )from all that while ago tells me we Ipswich Town Football Club, chairman , manager, players, supporters were one huge family, stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Us against the World. And we succeeded , we fell out of Division One, but McGarry and then Robert Robson arrived and our greatest era arrived. Then to be an ITFC supporter was probably one of the greatest feelings in the Sporting world, Real Madrid, Barcelona (twice) , AS Roma, St Etienne ( poleaxed) A decade almost in European football ! When ever will such a " little club" ever repeat that. So we of that era savour it, dream of it, try to convince youngsters that maybe, just maybe a sliver of that will return. I have no great admiration In Mr McCarthy as I did for those leaders of days gone by, my posts this season have been sadly negative, the football in comparison has been tepid at best. But ITFC are my club, my team. I truly understand those who have made protestations and decided for now that Saturday's, Tuesday's ( and all other Sky inflicted fixture dates) will see them absent from Portman Road. I have renewed, out of sentiment, out of maybe undying loyalty, out of the ( maybe) not too forlorn hope that "things will only get better". ITFC are my club Not today's manager, not today's players, but my Club That's the way it is.

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buddsterblue added 20:16 - Apr 14 I was a season ticket holder with my son up until a couple of weeks ago and have been taking him as a treat as I can luckily afford it, he is now 14 and after 7 years going together he is just bored with it all so why would I keep spending and driving 50 miles there and back if their is no enjoyment at all, it's actually becoming a real effort, does it mean I won't look out for ipswich of course I will I still feel passionately for them, may be I'm not a true blue in some supporters eyes but ultimately it's my time and money and I'm sick of the whole thing. I honestly take my hat off to those that keep going and I wish ipswich all the success going forward

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buddsterblue added 20:16 - Apr 14 I was a season ticket holder with my son up until a couple of weeks ago and have been taking him as a treat as I can luckily afford it, he is now 14 and after 7 years going together he is just bored with it all so why would I keep spending and driving 50 miles there and back if their is no enjoyment at all, it's actually becoming a real effort, does it mean I won't look out for ipswich of course I will I still feel passionately for them, may be I'm not a true blue in some supporters eyes but ultimately it's my time and money and I'm sick of the whole thing. I honestly take my hat off to those that keep going and I wish ipswich all the success going forward

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HarryS_H added 20:22 - Apr 14 Blueboy1981 I am a driver and understand that if I buy petrol, I get petrol otherwise it's false advertising and therefore illegal. What the club is selling is a seat to 23 home games throughout the season to see the club we all support. I don't understand your confusion with this, did you or did you not have a ticket to all the home games this season?? That is the right product and what you expected. Your opinion of what you want to see is the issue not the club. Get a Barcelona season ticket if that's what you want...

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Cloddyseedbed added 20:23 - Apr 14 I find it hard to believe season ticket sales are only 7% down. Out of the people I know who have season tickets over 50% have not renewed. Can we believe the club? Have we believed the club in the past when they say money is available for the manager to bring in better players, well we all know how that ends up every season now don't we. Whatever players come in they will be hard working safe players, set out in a team to not loose and frustrate the opposition and the home fans. I'm fed up with all the bullsh*t sprouted by people who are employed by ITFC to get people to sign up for season tickets or special ticket offers to watch such appalling football on offer. With the amount of money for players spent last season and small amount again next season and this manager I can not see the entertainment factor going up. Added to who's going to be sold to help balance the books.

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blueboy1981 added 20:40 - Apr 14 HarryS .......... not expecting Barcelona at all - something resembling little Bournemouth would satisfy me - and quite a few others I guess. Now that brings it all into perspective - doesn't it ?
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HarryS_H added 20:55 - Apr 14 Bournemouth are the only team to have gone up playing that style of football (by that I mean attractive passing football) in recent years. In my eyes they act as a one off. So setting that as the expectation is unrealistic. In my opinion, the way we were playing at the start of the year before injuries and poor format etc. Is what we should expect/aim for with a solid defensive unit fast wingers and effective strikers. Which with a few signings in the summer, will be what we have and fulfill the promotion dreams which loyal fans (by this I mean individuals who go and support their team, win lose or draw, like my self) are hoping for. That's a realistic view and I think this will happen next year. The first half of the season was good and the second half just wasn't to be. The fact that we are still 8th and your season ticket gave you all the games you expected means "fans" shouldn't be refusing to get season tickets, they should be willing the team on. That brings it all back into perspective doesn't it??

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HarryS_H added 20:58 - Apr 14 I understand if people don't want to spend the money because it's a lot! But that's football, if you want to watch town go and watch town, if you don't then don't. But if it's for petty reasons like you don't like the manager or expect us to win this very competitive league and for other teams to role over and hand it to us then that's where I don't understand people.

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jocasaja added 21:02 - Apr 14 I really can't believe 'supporters' who believe that to be a fan of a club is to have a sulk and walk away - not so good at the moment but we are in 8th spot with still a very slim chance of making play-offs. If you are a fan you are a fan ..end of story. In fact there have been some good games this season - Tuesday night win over Leeds springs to mind - we have had injuries to key players and yes MM can be stubborn and makes the occasional mistake - but we all do that. I get fed up of people going on about the good old days. Yes I remember them, but at present we are a decent Championship Side and will always have a decent chance of hitting the heights....stick with YOUR and OUR Club..COYB !!

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Dissboyitfc added 22:57 - Apr 14 Harry .... Blueboys water and petrol explanation was spot on! people have paid good money to be entertained watching football, neither of which is happening at portman road at present!
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ivegottheblues added 22:58 - Apr 14 Who are the real 'true supporters' . Those who say they'll keep going regardless of how we play or where we are? No, you are only supporting & encouraging the status quo . The only way to ensure that we start to reach footballing heights again is to register our disappointment by staying away - however hard that may seem. That's the only way things will change & these are the real supporters who want our club to be great again, not necessarily in what league we are but in the intention to play entertaining football.

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HarryS_H added 23:10 - Apr 14 Sorry did I miss the part of the season ticket contract that says we will win every game at home in an entertaining game?? The beauty of football is anything can happen. I am entertained watching the team I support? And encouraging a team does not maintain the status quo, it gives the players a reason to try harder. Look at villa, that is a team of players not playing for the club they're playing for themselves. We have a team that play for the fans and if those fans don't turn up neither will the team! Sulking and "staying away" will turn a bad season into bad seasons. Accepting that not everything will go our way will help us develop and improve. This is the first step back we've experienced under mickle. Is one step back taking us from 6th to 8th a reason to not support our team?? I personally think not!

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thebeat added 09:44 - Apr 15 Harry its not about league positio. Its about the atrocious anti football we have to watch week in week out. Its about a manager who who sets his team up negatively week in week out regardless of the standard of opposition. Its about a manager who picks a certain set of players week in week out even tho he has better players in the squad. Its about our great club now having an awful reputation in football labelled as hatchet men and long ball merchants. Its about an owner whos quite happy to let all this happen as long as we arent relegated. There comes a time when through sheer love of your club you have to make the bigger sacrifice and give up your passion to try and send the message that none of the above is ok. Thats a lot harder than burying your head in the sand and choosing to ignore whats right in front of you out of blind faith.

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