Town have appointed Ben Connell as the successor to groundsman Alan Ferguson, who has left the club to take on the role of head groundsperson at St George’s Park, the FA’s National Football Centre at Burton.

Connell was previously working at St Joseph's College and will start his new job at Portman Road later in this month. Ferguson takes up his new position next week.

The 31-year-old says he’s aware he has a big task on his hands to reach the standards of Ferguson’s seven-times award-winning Portman Road surface: "I'm delighted to have been handed the opportunity of working at Ipswich Town with the fantastic facilities the club has.

"I know I have some big boots to fill with what Alan has achieved here, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"I've known Alan for a few years and he's always been there to answer a question and offer some advice.

“My first job is to continue to provide the standard of pitches that he has done, but there's a good team of groundstaff here and I'm confident we can maintain the levels he has set."

Chief executive Simon Clegg added: "I'd like to welcome Ben to the football club. We spoke to a number of excellent candidates, but felt that Ben was in the best position to carry on the fantastic work that Alan and his team have done over the years."

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

Big_Foot_Blue added 18:30 - Aug 4 Im an ex student of St Jo's, left 14 months ago and the cricket pitches and rugby pitches were the best in the leagues we played in. On top of that we held the National Schools Rugby Festival every year and that involves 2 solid days of non stop national standard rugby and they look perfect even after the final match. Verry happy with this.
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Dissboyitfc added 19:13 - Aug 4 this is a fantastic appointment , and i will tell you why. several years ago when i lost my father ( a big town fan ) the family decided to have his ashes buried under the portman road pitch, i had many discussions with Alan, the locations available, times suitable for us to have a little service, it was held on a sunday and alan was there while we had a very short private ceremony, afterwards i spoke with alan about the pitch, he referred to it as his pitch. He loves that pitch and he was involved in selecting his successor, trust me if alan Ferguson believes he is the right man, then he is. All that said, Alan ferguson will be missed, Will never forget his kindness , patience and compassion, he gave to me and my family. A gentleman and a top groundsman, Good luck Alan... COYB

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RexCarr added 20:32 - Aug 4 BRING BACK WIGGY CHAPMAN !!!!!
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das_bones added 20:41 - Aug 4 Who said there'd be no more singings before the weekend!!!
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Tractorog added 20:53 - Aug 4 Good luck Ben.
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JewellintheTown added 23:33 - Aug 4 Hope he's not cutting that grass in the rain! Someone get the fella an umbrella. That's either dedication for you, or madness. Need both to survive at ITFC. Welcome aboard lad.
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brian_a_mul added 09:29 - Aug 5 Best of luck Ben, Big boots to fill, more like big wellies. Lets have some blue grass for the lads to play on!
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Fatboy added 12:27 - Aug 5 Is this a permanent signing or has St Joseph's College insisted on a 24-hour recall clause?
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26_Paz added 12:40 - Aug 5 Let's hope that the new groundsman displays a mark of standards evident.
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simonsays added 13:05 - Aug 5 Mr Blobby will be gutted!
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