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

h32 added 18:38 - May 16 buryblue77 - you're waking up, and smelling the coffee - for what it really is. The sooner a few more do the better - until then the Club will meander along as it is.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:11 - May 16 "Waking up and smelling the coffee for what it really is " ........um that would be coffee then.
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buryblue77 added 19:49 - May 16 Dozzell, yep. Coffee's coffee!! h32 has undoubted ambition for the club, as do you and I and a lot of others on here. Some of us just aren't happy the way things are. I'm still a PJ supporter but my real lack of confidence comes from above, Marcus Evans (who saved us from possible administration and further troubles that could have followed such as relegation) who is not really a football fan, no prior knowledge of running a football club and Simon Clegg who equally isn't a football man. Evans should have got someone in with that experience, but I feel just with the appointment of Keane, Clegg was also recruited for the profile that he brings to the Marcus Evans Ipswich Town Corporation. We were all sold with ambitions of reaching the Premier League and we've gone backwards since Evans came in and Magilton was sacked (for aforementioned reasons) and whilst I continue to support Jewell because I hope he can construct a side that can push towards the top six, and I believe change adds to unstability but if he can't achieve what is a realistic expectation then his position as manager should be reviewed.

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Talbs77 added 20:26 - May 16 Not the cleverest thing Cleggs ever done especially after the couple of seasons we've had under his so called stewardship. Makes me wonder if his heart is still really on athletics instead of focusing on an already tough job at Ipswich. Doesnt breed confidence with the fans that the focus this summer is on sorting the squad out and leads to the sort of criticism on here. Feel he's not far off really antagonising fans especially with the continuing "houdini" ME.

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h32 added 21:27 - May 16 buryblue77 - sound words indeed.
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AlanMahon2011 added 22:08 - May 16 The guy's a chocolate teapot, signing after signing he messed up last season, it's going to happen this summer mark my words!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:52 - May 16 buryblue77 - i agree with a lot of what you say, and i have also posted in the past that if by xmas/new year things havent progressed then maybe we need to re-evaluate. Like you i think we need some stability and PJ deserves a bit more time. I have no problem with anyone expressing their opinion on here, its what this site is for. I also don't claim to necessarily be right either, but its my opinion and i am entitled to it. The only problem i have is with arrogant, rude people who resort to name calling like mugs, sad losers and fools when i (or anyone else) commits the crime of.............having a different point of view. !! Lets hope for a good summer and a much more successful season.

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buryblue77 added 23:05 - May 16 Thanks h32. Dozzell, you're correct, this is a site for opinion and it's often divided, no harm in that. I will not however call people names because I don't agree with them, I may however challenge their opinion, but again doesn't make me right or them wrong. Some people on here are eternal optimists and will never make a bad remark, others like Jas and h32 often have a more negative outlook but it is unquestionably out of passion for the club and an understandable worry for the direction of our club, I often find myself in agreement or at least understanding of their position, these people tend to have reason for their views. Some are ever the pessimist and will say anything to knock the club, but as I've only been on here since times have not been so good it would be interesting if these views change should we see good times return. As I've said, it's the 'boardroom' that currently gives me most concern, I hope that concern doesn't have to transpire down to team level come the Autumn.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 23:14 - May 16 buryblue - i know you dont name call, and i understand your point, but Jas is never rude and also does make positive comments when they are positive threads. What i cant stand is constant negativity for the sake of it and rudeness. Anyway lets hope we have some positive news on transfers soon.
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buryblue77 added 09:09 - May 17 Dozzell, definetly with you on the rudeness front. I hope we soon see some new arrivals, I was listening to Talksport on my drive home and heard Liverpool fans suggesting that they should look at someone like Rhodes and whilst I'm not going to go on about shouldn't have sold him in the first place, what would be nice is if he does make a big money move and we get some more money from it to help get some more signings in.

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h32 added 19:06 - May 17 Bobblehat - like I've told you before - if the hat fits - wear it !!!!!!! If not - ignore the comments - and please don't read my posts in the future, if you cannot take the TRUTH.
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h32 added 20:06 - May 17 buryblue77 - no one, but no one, cares about the well being of this Club more than I - of course there will be others too in that same category, may I suggest yourself even, as 'another' of many. What I cannot accept, and will not accept, is the demise of a once GREAT CLUB - and continue to keep patronising FAILURE - which is what we are seeing season after season, after season. I will always speak my mind, please or offend. I am not a 'nodding dog' who accepts being mugged by anyone or anything - therefore I expect MUCH more for our money, and indeed reputation of the Club, which is undeniably deminishing. The very name IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB deserves MUCH better - and so do we. I am the eternal 'happy man' when we win - who can be knocked for that ?? - in a sensible world. Maybe some others (no name's mentioned) should question their real passion for the Club - when all they do is accept anything, and make excuse, after excuse for FAILURE. They know who they are.

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s6blue added 21:13 - May 17 awesome
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 23:14 - May 17 h32 - arrogant just doesnt sum you up. Your opinion is just that, your opinion. Its NOT fact. You are entitled to it and yours holds just as much weight as mine but again i repeat , yours is NOT fact. Im not a mug or a loser or a fool just because i have renewed my ticket this year, or because i dont slate everything that Jewell or Clegg do. I dont agree with every decision they make, and i often would pick one or two players different to Jewell but i dont pretend to know more than someone who has played the game professionally, and guided two sides to the PL from this division. I will say it again in the hope that it sinks in - i have no problem with you not being happy with our current position (neither i am) . I have no problem with you expressing your views on here and getting involved in debate with other people. I do have a problem with you calling me mug,loser etc purely because i ( and lots of others) dont see things the same way as you. I have every bit as much ambition for Town as you do, so please dont tell me i dont.

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h32 added 18:23 - May 18 Bobblehat - for the record I HAVE CALLED YOU NOTHING - but what I have said is IF THE HAT FITS WHERE IT - which is what you 'appear' to be doing. Whether you have a problem with anything I say or do - doesn't concern me in the least I ASSURE YOU. Glad to hear you have some ambition for the Club - some people (not you, unless that hat fits) could have fooled me into thinking otherwise. Call me arrogant - check your posts and mine - not ONCE have I aimed any of what you claim above to ANY individual at all. FACT - Mr/Mrs/ Ms Bobblehat.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 21:43 - May 18 h32 - no you havent directly said bobblehat (or anyone else) you are a loser etc etc , however you have referred to all of those who renewed their tickets as fools and mugs. Therefore as i renewed i would say that those comments are aimed at me ( and obviously others) and its not just a case of "the hat fits". Why do you have to use this terminology for people who have done what you have done in previous years, committed the offence of paying to watch their football team !!!! I dont doubt that you dont give a toss what i think, but maybe you should care about the comments you make on here. We are all entitled to our opinions , but the way you talk to people who have a different one is shocking and i dont understand why you address them/us with such venom. We all want the same thing. You would get much less abuse if you just state your point (some of which are reasonable) , but maybe thats the point, maybe you like the fact that people react to your comments and you do it for effect. Yes i did call you arrogant , and is it any wonder when your reply to me previously when i said that was " i dont care if you call me arrogant because im a winner and im right" !!

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h32 added 23:55 - May 18 Bobblehat - who's complaining about abuse ? - not me. Any slagging off I get from a certain category of people for my truthful views, I treat with the distain it deserves. The point I wish that you would understand is :- 'the more you people condone what's going on at the Club, the more likely it is to continue under this current regime'.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 17:20 - May 19 h32 - so the way forward is for all of us not to renew?? Can only see that being a negative. Just cos i /we have renewed doesnt mean we agree with everything, but for me personally not to renew would be cutting off my nose to spite my face. Besides i dont think things are as bad as you do. For example they were much much worse under Duncan and got better and were worse under Keane. Dont get me wrong , you have every right not to renew, its a lot of money and if you arent enjoying it then fair enough, just dont get abusive with those of us that have.

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h32 added 20:57 - May 19 ....... you pays your money - and takes your choice. Where we completely differ Bobblehat is you, and the others I constantly refer to, will always look to compare with a worse scenario i.e Duncan'e era (your words) - and therefore accept the current situation. Now don't tell me that is POSITIVE thinking - all that's doing is accepting failure because 'there has been worse'. That's NEGATIVE to the extreme, with no ambition to move on.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 21:36 - May 19 h32 - hang on, i dont constantly refer to worse times, in fact i think its the first time i have done it and was purely giving examples that we shouldnt give up in bad times because things get better. I always think of myself as a half glass full person, so no i dont think im negative. I have said on here before that i see no reason why we cant again be a solid PL side, but if you are thinking we can again return to the days of us challenging for the title every year ala The Robson years then i think you are in cloud cuckoo land. Football has moved on massively and we were punching above our weight. I would say i am realistic not negative.

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