Town chairman David Sheepshanks is set to take the back seat role at the club which was planned when Derek Bowden joined as chief executive. Since Bowden's appointment the club's financial state has meant that Sheepshanks was more involved in the running of the club than was expected.

The chairman confirmed today: "Derek Bowden was originally recruited to take over the day-to-day management of the business affairs of the club.

"The financial crisis over the last 12 months required both of us on a full-time basis.

"However, now that we are well into the recovery stage I am very keen that we should revert to our original plan."

Sheepshanks became chairman of the club in August 1995 and has been the face of the Portman Road off-field management team ever since. The financial crisis and subsequent sales of innumerable players has seen a drop in his popularity amongst supporters.

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