The Ipswich Town Independent Supporters Trust has announced that former Town director Holly Bellingham has become a member. Bellingham remains on the PLC board which owns 12.5% of Town but was one of a number of directors who stepped down from the club's overall board after Marcus Evans's takeover.
Chairman Carl Day welcomed Bellingham's decision to join the Trust's ranks, telling TWTD: "It's great for the Trust to receive the support of someone of Holly's standing and position within the club. We hope her involvement will give supporters a platform from which their voice can be heard within the corridors of power.â€Â
Day says the Trust still has a role to play despite Marcus Evans's takeover at the end of last year: "There's a need for a Trust as much as ever with the club now effectively owned by one individual.
"As we have seen at other clubs in sole ownership, supporters' interests can become forgotten.
"That said, we have always been cautiously supportive of Marcus Evans's investment into the club because more than anything we want to see Town back in the Premier League.â€Â
Bellingham, who became a Town board member in February 2004, is chairman of Marketform, a leading Lloyds liability indemnity group, and prior to Marcus Evans's takeover owned a 15% stake in Town. Since the takeover, the PLC which previously wholly owned the club now holds a 12.5% stake in the Blues.
The Trust have also announced that their AGM will be held in the Players' Lounge at Portman Road on Thursday 24th July at 7pm.
Apart from the formal items, such as approving the financial statements, there will be discussion about the future direction of the Trust in light of the investment by Marcus Evans. All Members are welcome to attend.
The Trust's website can be found here.