Town have defended their decision to charge home matchday mascots more than £200 from the start of the new season.
Previously, Junior Blues were entered into a monthly ballot to win the chance to lead the team out ahead of matches at Portman Road with the only charge the cost of a home kit and membership of the Junior Blues, around £55 in total.
But now, instead of the ballot, the club is making mascot places available for each game at a cost of £225 (or £200 to Junior Blues) on a first-come, first-served basis. The announcement of the change led to a lengthy thread on the TWTD forum.
Club media manager Steve Pearce told TWTD: "Most clubs have operated a mascot package for many years. We have decided to follow suit this year because we couldn’t keep up with the demand of being a mascot on matchday. It’s a unique experience and we felt it was the right time to make a change.
""The price of £200 for Junior Blues and £225 for non-Junior Blues includes four match tickets and a full home kit, as well as the experience of meeting the players and manager in the dressing room before the game, leading the team out and taking part in the official photograph with the skippers and match officials before kick-off, as well as many other incentives.
""We have researched the prices set by other clubs for their mascot packages and as well as being one of the last clubs to set a fee for the experience, we are also offering a package that is cheaper than most clubs - far cheaper in some cases.
""However, we do realise that £200 is beyond the budget of some so we have added to our Fly the Flag experience, which sees our younger fans having the opportunity to meet the players before the game and be out on the pitch forming a guard of honour for the teams when they come out of the tunnel.
"It proved to be very popular last season with most games seeing 12 young fans flying the flag for Town and we have already had a lot of interest for this season, with the price at £25.”
We understand that if a mascot already has the home kit the club will supply an away or goalkeeper’s strip instead, while ballots will continue for mascot places at away games. Contact the club via juniorblues@itfc.co.uk to register interest regarding a particular fixture.
Full details of how to apply for a place as a mascot at a home game here, while further details and Fly the Flag information can be found here.