Town groundsman Alan Ferguson has been named the new president of the Scotland and Northern Ireland region of the Institute of Groundsmen. Apparently this is a great honour in the world of turf and Ferguson is very flattered at being chosen.

Ferguson said: "I was bowled over when they approached me. I regard it as a tremendous honour to be asked by my fellow professionals to be a figurehead for our organisation. They can choose their president from wherever they want."

So his being based in Ipswich is not a problem. Neither is the appointment a problem with the club: "When I spoke to chairman David Sheepshanks about this he was happy to give his approval. Like myself, he sees it as a tremendous feather in the cap of Ipswich Town. It is a tribute to the club and the good work that is being done here."

Ferguson's pitch was named Premiership Pitch of the Year last season and has an excellent reputation throughout the country.

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