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Sheepshanks on Draw - Ipswich Town News

Town chairman David Sheepshanks has welcomed Town's UEFA Cup draw against FC Avenir Beggen but made it clear that the club's priority this season will be regaining Premiership status.

The chairman didn't attend today's draw in Geneva, instead director Richard Moore and secretary David Rose made the trip to Switzerland.

Sheepshanks told the club site he is eagerly awaiting the visit to the Grand Duchy: "We are looking forward to going to Luxembourg for the first time.

"David Rose and I discussed the question of seeking the maximum allocation of tickets if we were drawn against a club that was reasonably accessible to our fans.

"So in this regard I am very pleased he has been successful in persuading our opponents to switch the tie to the Municipal Stadium, which has a larger capacity."

Sheepshanks, though, continues to impress that the club's main aim is getting out of the Nationwide League: "Let's be clear that our priority this season is promotion from the First Division, and that means starting well at Walsall on 10th August and, after the first leg in Luxembourg, continuing at home to Leicester on the following Sunday.

"Nevertheless the fact that we were seeded number one in this UEFA Cup draw has given us a tie in which we have an excellent chance of making progress.

"It will be a good experience for players and fans alike and an important opportunity to generate added income that is much needed this season."

Town will release the exact details of the number of tickets which will be available as soon as they have them.

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