x

New St George's Park Role for Sheepshanks - Ipswich Town News

Former Town chairman David Sheepshanks is to move to a new role at St George’s Park, the FA’s National Football Centre at Burton.

Sheepshanks has been chairman at St George's Park since it opened in 2012, having led and overseen its development and opening, but will now take on a role chairing an advisory board supplementing an executive-led board.

The FA’s chief executive officer Martin Glenn said: "It is testament to the good work done by David and the other board members that this transition can happen only several years into the life of the project.

"We are delighted that David has accepted the role as chairman of an advisory board whose role it will be to provide challenge to the management team as they develop their plans for the future of St George’s Park.

"It is anticipated that this advisory board will also consist of a number of eminent people from both football and sport so that St George’s Park measures itself against the best of sport in the UK and the world.

"Let’s not forget the national football centre project had been mothballed for several years when in 2008 David and his new board took it on, researched and ultimately completely revised the business plan.

"Delivered on time and on budget for the long term benefit of English football, St George’s Park is now one of the top facilities of its kind anywhere in the world.

"Personally I have been hugely impressed with the site and want to thank all of the board for their terrific work in making the project a reality and creating what has become a source of great pride to the FA.”

Sheepshanks added: "It has been an enormous privilege to have led a team of such brilliant people involved in the different stages of development, design, construction, and for the last three years, operating St George’s Park.

"I would like to thank all of them and the FA board for their support throughout. It is now running exceptionally well so everyone involved can be rightly proud of their achievements.

"St George’s Park will forever remain a passion for me and I will continue to do what I can to assist Martin Glenn and his team there in their quest to maximise its potential.”

Meanwhile, Harry Wright, like his father Richard a keeper, has signed a professional deal with the Blues having turned 17 today.

Wright junior rejoined the Town academy in the summer having previously been with Manchester City's youth set-up.

What to read next:

Akpom: I Always Had My Mind Set on Ipswich
Chuba Akpom has revealed he always wanted to sign for Town this summer despite nearly joining Championship rivals Birmingham City.
U18s at Palace
Town’s U18s face Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ training ground on Saturday afternoon (KO midday).
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United - Predictions
Have you predicted the Blades score yet? Seventy six per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 14 per cent a draw and ten per cent an away win. The most commonly predicted result is a 2-1 win to Town with Hirst the first scorer but what do you think?
Gray in New Zealand Squad For U20 World Cup
Blues keeper Henry Gray has been named in the New Zealand squad for the U20 World Cup which gets under way in Chile later this month.
Akpom: Time to Kick On From Now
Town forward Chuba Akpom believes the Blues’ slow start to the season is not a cause for concern ahead of Friday’s match against Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Town Host Table-Propping Blades Targeting First Win
Town host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United live on Sky on Friday evening looking to bring a number of unwanted records to an end (KO 8pm).
[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
McKenna: I Can See the Thinking Behind Play-Off Expansion Proposal
Town manager Kieran McKenna says he can see the thinking behind the proposal to extend the Championship play-offs to six clubs.
McKenna: International Break Has Been Beneficial
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says the international break has been useful to help some of the recent signings settle in, however, with a number of regular starters away it wasn’t possible to do too much directly working towards Friday’s home game against Sheffield United.
McKenna: The Next Challenge is Building a Team Supporters Enjoy Watching and Are Proud Of
Town boss Kieran McKenna says the challenge is now to build a team that the club’s supporters can enjoy watching and be proud of following a “difficult” transfer window in which the squad underwent greater change than had been anticipated.