The Ipswich Town Independent Supporters Trust has called on the club to pay local suppliers whose invoices are currently overdue.
Town have cited cash flow issues as the reason why invoices from suppliers and players’ agents are currently outstanding. The Blues have asked some suppliers to agree to revised payment terms and there is no suggestion that bills won’t ultimately be paid in full.
The Trust wants the club outline the extent of its debts to local businesses with chair Alasdair Ross saying some of the companies affected now will be those who suffered when the club entered administration a decade ago: "Many local people have bitter memories about the amount of money owed to local businesses such as florists and caterers, and organisations including the St John's Ambulance, when the club went into administration in 2003.
"For an organisation already carrying over £80 million worth of debt, relatively small amounts owed to local businesses may seem inconsequential, but for many of these local businesses it could mean the difference between survival or collapse.
"The local community, including those who lost money, stood by the club during the administration period, and we want to know that this faith is being rewarded by the club honouring its debts to local businesses now.”
Earlier joint-managing director Ian Milne said in a statement: "We endeavour to meet the payment terms of the companies and individuals we work with but at times during the year, just like with any business, there are delays in cash flow. This is income coming into us as well as expenditure going out.
"I’d like to reiterate though that the football club is on very sound financial footing with the support of the owner, who remains fully committed to seeing Ipswich Town achieve his and the club’s goal of reaching the Premier League.”