This evening marks the launch of Ipswich Town Ist, Ipswich Town's Independent Supporters Trust. The newly-formed organisation is inviting anyone interested in finding out more about the Trust to the meeting being held at the Novotel at 7.30pm.
Present at the launch will be club legends Kevin Beattie and Roger Osborne while a number of other ex-players, including John Wark, James Scowcroft, Laurie Sivell and Russell Osman, are backing the Trust's formation.
This evening will feature speeches from Ipswich Town First's acting chair Carl Day as well as Simon Binns from Supporters Direct, the Government-funded organisation charged with helping fans set up Trusts. Both will also answer questions on Trusts and the Ipswich Town Ist in particular.
There is also be a specially made short film starring Beattie and Osborne while long-time Suffolk resident and long-time follower of Town's fortunes Stuart Jarrold will be the compere.
The Trust aims to give supporters a greater say in the running of the club through a number of means. Sheer number of members is one while the share issue later this year gives fans a chance to own a tangible stake in the club, an opportunity which may not come around again for some while.
While the Trust itself will be raising money to purchase shares, individual members can buy their own and proxy their vote to the Trust.
An supporter with a small investment in the club would have little power, however aligned with other similar individuals as part of a Trust there is a greater potential to have a voice which will be heard.
The Trust is also aiming for elected supporter representation on the club's board, something which has happened at a number of other Football League clubs.
Representatives of the Trust met recently with chairman David Sheepshanks and chief executive Derek Bowden with the club by no means averse to elected supporter representation. As a first step towards an elected representative the Trust has been invited to send an observer to the club's board meeting in September.
Ipswich Town Ist is committed not just to the football club but the the wider community. The club's recent administration has seen a number of local businesses lose large amounts of money.
The Trust will be setting up an Unsecured Creditors Directory as part of its website. The idea behind this is to encourage Trust members and other fans to use the services provided by the businesses who lost money when the club went into administration; ie if a fan needs some bulding work done, then they can call a building supplier listed on the Trust site. This way we the fans can minimise the losses of those hit most by the club's financial troubles.
Any unsecured creditors interested in being on the list, visit the Trust website: http://www.ipswichtownfirst.co.uk and send an email via the Contact Us section.
If you wish to join the Trust more details and membership forms are available from the Trust site: http://www.ipswichtownfirst.co.uk