Ipswich Town Ist, the Supporters Trust, has expressed its disappointment that the Blues have opted for a Category Two academy in the reorganisation of youth football which takes place this summer. The Trust collected 5,000 signatures on a petition calling on the club to choose Category One.
A statement on their website in part reads: "The Trust is very disappointed that today Simon Clegg, the chief executive of our football club, has confirmed that Ipswich Town FC will not be applying for Academy Category One status for next season.
"Town have opted for Category Two in the Elite Player Performance Programme (EPPP) reorganisation of youth football which comes into effect this summer.
"The Trust campaigned for the club to proceed with Category One and feel that this is a short-sighted step to make.
"We understand that going for Category One would be an extra financial burden on the club but we believe that in the long term, producing the majority of our own players is the way forward for this club.”