Town have announced that the official Supporters' Club is to undergo a revamp with the aim of getting more supporters involved. The current set-up of the club appeared to be a 'closed shop' and the vast majority of members (all season ticket holders and Portman Plus members) had no involvement in it.
The 12 person committee will be reduced to seven with a chairman, a secretary and a treasurer, as well as the heads of four sub-committees: membership development, social, media and Internet and income generation.
Supporters can apply to become members of these sub-committees in writing to the football club up 'til a week before the AGM on September 6th.
Town say of the revamp: "The aim is to get fans more involved and become agents for the club, acting as its eyes and ears, Non-members will be targeted to join one of the 28 supporters branches, with fans of all ages being sought."
The club will also be continuing with the Fans' Forums which they held on four occasions last season. Those wishing to take part should write to the club before August 24th if they wish to take part saying in not more than 100 words why they should take part.
The club will also hold four open evenings where up to 300 supporters can gain an insight into the workings of a department at the club. The first will be by the community department in early September. Details will be available at a later date.
Town are also working on the green travel plan which was demanded when the new North Stand was given permission. The club are trying to persuade Anglia Railways and Great Eastern to run trains at times useful to supporters as well as encouraging hte use of park and ride schemes. Buses may also be given priority after games.
TWTD has learnt that Town are to be the subject of a fly-on-the-wall documentary throughout the coming season on Radio Five Live. Jonathan Overend will present the weekly slot about life at Portman Road.
We understand that the Five Live journalist will be moving to the town for the duration of the project.
Whether this will have any bearing on who gets to cover Town's European games we're not sure.