Ipswich Town Ist, the Supporters Trust, are urging the club to reverse their decision to switch reserve games to afternoon kick-offs next season. Earlier this week, Town announced that second string games will start at 2pm on Wednesdays rather than at 7pm on Mondays as has been the case in previous years.
The Trust says what they see as a cost-cutting exercise saving on floodlight and stewarding expenditure will impact negatively on both fans and developing players: "The reserve team is an important part of the club set-up and moving the games to an inaccessible 2pm time slot in midweek will further distance fans from the players taking part, and hence deny the latter valuable experience of performing in front of a reasonable crowd.
"Free attendance at reserve games is also a part of the season ticket package, although this has not been taken up by large numbers recently. This is in part due to the [weakened reserve] league but is also down to the club's tendency to move the games to Playford Road at the last minute, again on a weekday afternoon.
"Many fans take immense pleasure from spotting young players coming through the academy and reserve ranks, or seeing favourite players who do not always make the first team squad. Moreover, for those on a budget, particularly young people, it is often their only way of seeing live football.â€Â
When news of the switch broke on Tuesday, a number of TWTD posters also criticised the move.