Plans to move the ITFC Charitable Trust to Whitton Sports Centre fell down last year, Blues chief executive Simon Clegg has confirmed to TWTD. The Trust was hoping to utilise the Ipswich Borough Council-owned facilities as the club’s charity looked to expand its operation.
The Trust initially spoke to the Conservative-Lib Dem council prior to Labour regaining power at last May’s local elections, but after the change of control, the new regime cancelled the proposed move partly due to the cost.
Clegg said: "It was looked at last year, moving to Whitton, but it all fell through with Ipswich Borough Council. The Trust will remain here for the foreseeable future.”
Despite taking on the running of Whitton, we understand the Trust would have continued to use the practice pitch at Portman Road for some its sporting activities.
The proposed switch would have allowed the Trust to operate from permanent buildings, rather than the temporary structures they currently occupy at Portman Road.
Although Clegg says there are currently no hard and fast plans to move elsewhere, we understand that other alternatives would be considered if they were to become available.
Clegg says he's delighted with ex-Blues communications director Terry Baxter’s work as chief executive of the Trust: "I’m very comfortable with Terry as the chief executive. They do an excellent job and I’m really delighted that Terry stayed as the chief executive. It’s great to have those old links with the club.”
Regarding Baxter’s former role, which he left last summer to present Radio Suffolk’s breakfast show, Clegg says the club will not now be replacing him: "It’s just a question of finances.
"What I’m trying to do is strip out overheads to ensure that within Financial Fair Play I can focus as much money as possible on the playing squad.”
When speaking to TWTD in March, Clegg said that with the row over back rent on Portman Road now settled, he would look to forge closer links with IBC and one or two ideas are currently under discussion: "I have suggested a couple of things which I hope the council might find attractive that would help supporters.”
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