Blues chief executive Simon Clegg has been named the official Olympic attaché for the Pacific island of Guam, who are sending six athletes to this summer’s Games in London. Clegg, who prior to joining the Blues in 2009 had spent 20 years and 12 summer and winter Games with the BOA as deputy general secretary and then chief executive, says he’s looking forward to enjoying this Olympics without the responsibilities that were his at previous Games.

The Town chief, who led Team GB to 47 medals - 19 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze — in Beijing as chef de mission four years ago, was involved with the 2012 bid from the start and was amongst those to sign the contract giving the Games to London.

His involvement with Guam means he will receive an access all areas pass having previously had no entitlement to tickets for the Games.

Clegg explained his role to the Daily Telegraph: “I’m still friendly with a lot of people in the Olympic movement — international colleagues that I’ve known for 20 years. One of those colleagues kindly gave the opportunity to be the official Olympic attaché for Guam.

“It’s not particularly demanding because obviously they are a small country with a tiny team and I will do whatever I can to support during the build-up and will continue to do so during the Games.

“The kind of jobs involved are speaking to people about uniforms, doing some work on the vehicles for them, and they’ve asked me to organise a team reception for them.”

The 52-year-old, who remains an athlete commission member at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), told TWTD that Town will be his main focus over the summer despite his obvious interest in the Games: “I think it will be a great event and I’m privileged that I played some small role in bringing them here. My priority is here at the football club but I’m sure I’ll get down for a few events.

“It’ll be quite exciting to see some events without having the pressure of managing 305 two-legged athletes and 18 four-legged athletes.”

Clegg says he plans to watch Blues central defender Tommy Smith in action with New Zealand: “I have spoken to Tommy and have said that I’ll endeavour to catch up with him at some of the football games.”

The Town chief executive dismisses widespread rumours that he will move on from Portman Road once the Olympics — for which Town owner Marcus Evans is the authorised ticket reseller for Ireland, Greece and Malta — are over: “It would be news to me.

“I’m still incredibly committed to this club, I’m still very ambitious for it and I want to enjoy some success with the club.”

Photo: Action Images

Strikes added 13:30 - May 15 There go Guam's medal chances.
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spanish_archer added 13:30 - May 15 StringTheory - I'm pretty sure football transfer are not negociated when sorting out uniforms for Guam. Admit it, the guy just wants a free three week lunch and VIP tickets.
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cornishnick added 13:31 - May 15 Good luck Cleggy, fill your boots my son. What next? Parliament perhaps?
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RegencyBlue added 13:40 - May 15 Personally I would prefer he spends all of his available time sorting out the mess ITFC has become or else step down immediately!
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itfchorry added 13:54 - May 15 Why not spend your Summer Major Clegg trying to win back some of our fans that are totally fed Up with the way you have been running our club.
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PaulSlocombe added 13:54 - May 15 No doubt ME Group will get preferential rates hosting future corporate events on Guam. Clegg earning his money for ME at last?
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jayceee added 14:00 - May 15 Oh No! The Olympics will be screwed up now too! :D
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AndyUK61873 added 14:04 - May 15 You guys are crazy.....you know the Olympics is all of about 3weeks in the dead of summer (early July) when transfers typically are not happening as people are on vacaction.....most CEO's, Chairman have other commitments.....ala David Sheepshanks was on the Football League board/chairman and was not 100% at Ipswich all the time.....plus in the day and age of WiFi and Smartphones it is not an issue. I spend about 40% of my time away from my office and don't miss anything that needs to be completed or discussed. It is the life we are now in.

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walberswick added 14:13 - May 15 what about his other job, organising "unofficial hospitality" for ME "official" olympic packages? is Pacific island of Guam job a fig leaf to cover what he's really up to?
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BlueBadger added 14:13 - May 15 Utter disgrace. You never saw Sheepy pursuing outside interests with say, the FA when he was here.
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itfc1981 added 14:20 - May 15 BluleBager The FA is, last time I looked, a football body Sheeper removed away goals from the play-offs in a bid to help us. Theres no outside intrests there.
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Leedsblue1 added 14:36 - May 15 Great work Clegg bang in the middle of the summer whilst deals are meant to be negotiated. Who may i ask is now in charge of seeing transfers through? I honestly sometimes feel like he comes on here and reads all this and thinks to himself "How can i do something to surpass myself again and annoy all the Town fans even more". Ah i know i'll bugger off to the Olympics and help bloody Guam out that'll annoy them!!!! I feel for Guam aswell as if his past records are anything to go by he'll no doubt hold out for cheaper flights for them and then miss out at the last second no doubt to Leicester or Leeds who'll buy the flights up just to prove yet again they can gazump Clegg! I'd rather have Clegg off Last of The Summer Wine in charge tbh! Rant over for a few months till i make another rare post on here.

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newboy added 14:50 - May 15 The only thing that surprises me here is the fact that anyone thought clegg gave ITFC his full attention as I understand it he also works for Jaguar hence the flash car. I feel certain he probably divides his part time hours accordingly whilst taking nice fat salaries from all. Lets not forget he also has do his own P.R ie talking to the Telegraph no wonder the club is falling apart. To run a football club you need to know football and he has no clue or desire to make this his priority

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petermorris added 15:02 - May 15 Go on Guamy Bear you VIP you — do something right. Get us a Huge Sponsor.
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itfchorry added 15:12 - May 15 Just think when the Blackburn Venkys meet up with The Major this year and chat about their knowledge of football. Can't see that conversation lasting long. Poor old Guam
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AlanMahon2011 added 15:29 - May 15 Clegg Out
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Sindre94 added 15:35 - May 15 Disappointed in this.
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Lightningboy added 15:38 - May 15 So what exactly are we paying him for?..his staying power? Come on ITFC ,get rid of this waste of space and bring in a chief exec who actually knows something about football and our club.
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saffronblue added 15:53 - May 15 You lot really make me laugh, one of our players gets called up for an international place and there are less than 20 posts celebrating this. Clegg, who is an Olympic commission member, gets asked to make some arrangements for a few athletes and you all go ballistic. No wonder it's so quiet at Portman Road on match days, all just waiting for something to have right moan at rather than getting behind and supporting the team.

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itfc1981 added 16:05 - May 15 Saffron: I dont think Smith getting called up is damaging to our summer transfers do you.
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AlanMahon2011 added 16:19 - May 15 Clegg has been ballsing up transfers for Ipswich from day dot. He has absolutely no passion or commitment for us and should be closing the door to his office after the Olympic games.
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jas0999 added 16:53 - May 15 Not good news - Clegg needs to spend this Summer 100% at PR; dealing with existing player contracts and signing new players - not just those that no-one else wants! Is it any wonder that we struggled last year with Clegg at the helm - and a manager who is reknown for signing old players and loanees?
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Strikes added 17:20 - May 15 Interestingly the introduction of the brown tree snake to Guam has led to mass local extinctions of the island's native wildlife. They think there are over two million there now and it could take as long as fifty years to get rid of them all. Maybe that could be Clegg's next Guam-related project?
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EatonBlue added 17:24 - May 15 Can any of the six from Guam kick a football?
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Stato added 17:34 - May 15 @Saffron If we are stand around clapping every cock up that takes place we'll end up in an even bigger mess. The stands are for "supporting" the team and this forum is for debating the issues that concern our club. There is nothing run with having a go at Clegg, Jewell, ME, Bullard, Chops or anyone else on here as that is what a forum is designed for. There is a lot of moaning and that's because I grew up watching Muhren & co and would like to see us back were I believe we belong in the top tier if English football

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