Town have sought to clarify the situation regarding season ticket holders who pay via direct debit having to opt out of becoming Academy Friends in the wake of a lengthy TWTD Forum thread earlier today.
Season ticket holders who join the Academy Association as Academy Friends at a cost of £10 a month will be entitled to a free season ticket for 2015/16 if Town are promoted in the season ahead
According to the club, there was a printing error on the application form sent out to existing season ticket holders renewing by direct debit which suggested those who wanted to sign up for the Academy Association needed to tick a box to opt in.
This tick box should not have appeared on the direct debit renewal form, although it did correctly appear on non-season ticket holder application forms.
When the direct debit payment schedule, which marks out the payments supporters will make over the next 12 months, was sent out the opt out was highlighted twice. Season ticket holders have until April 17th to notify the club that they want to opt out with the first payments due to go out on May 1st. Those who wish to opt out can do so via seasonticketchange@itfc.co.uk.
A club spokesperson told TWTD: "Many of our fans have been incredibly generous and continue to financially support the Ipswich Town Academy by making payments, including regular monthly donations, to the Academy.
"For those that have renewed their season ticket with us on an interest-free monthly repayment basis, our direct debit payment schedule clearly sets out that if our fans do not wish to provide a donation to the Academy and take up the chance of a ‘free’ season ticket if we are promoted to the Premier League next season, they can remove this donation by advising us and accordingly a revised payment schedule will be issued.”