Blues chief executive Simon Clegg will be carrying the Olympic torch through Keswick in the Lake District during the 92nd day of its tour of Britain later today. Prior to joining Town in 2009, Clegg, who is an official attaché for the Pacific island of Guam during London 2012, had spent 20 years and 12 summer and winter Games with the British Olympic Association as deputy general secretary and then chief executive.

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.

He says he was pleased to be asked to take part in the torch relay: “I’m hugely flattered to have been invited to run with the torch carrying the Olympic flame from its journey from Olympia to London.

“Whilst my focus has for the last three years been on Ipswich Town, I could not pass this opportunity by, having spent so much of my career in the Olympic movement.”

The torch will be in 16 Suffolk towns and villages on July 5th, 6th and 7th, full details here.

Elsewhere, former Blues loanee Keith Andrews is reportedly close to joining Bolton Wanderers having turned down the chance to move to Celtic.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

765765 added 14:42 - Jun 21 wouldn't have thought a little trip to the Lakes to carry a torch would critically damage the club, seems some over-reactions... and doesn't Jewell make the player personnel decisions?
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TR11BLU added 14:49 - Jun 21 Funny really, Sheepshanks was continually getting pelters on here yet now people lament his absence. Careful what you wish for people. I tend to think that PJ is the problem here, he selects the transfer targets and picks/motivates the team...or doesnt as seems to be the case. PJ out Now.
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jas0999 added 15:01 - Jun 21 I have no doubt that Clegg did an excellent job in his role with the Olympic team and it therefore seems right that he gets to carry the torch. However, this does NOT make him a good Football CEO. In fact, he has been poor since his arrival. People are entitled to their opinion of course, but it's my opinion that he is to blame for failing to land a large number of targets and also made a complete hash of re-negotiating contracts - thus seeing players worth millions in transfer fees going for nothing. His ticketing strategy has been terrible, whilst he has hardly excelled when appointing managers to date! Overall, I find it difficult to see any justification from fans saying he has done a 'good job'. It is now time for Clegg and PJ to show their worth - the next 4 weeks is critical - we need to sign players capable of bringing about a promotion challenge. So, far we haven't strengthened at all (in terms of fit players) and it is worrying.

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buryblue77 added 15:05 - Jun 21 TR11BLU, PJ may well pick targets, selects team etc....but the thing is PJ did have a good track record especially at Bradford and Wigan. Clegg was from a completely different background and I suspect was picked for his profile as it seemed Mr Evans had a high profile agenda hence the signing of Keane to replace Magilton. You're right about Sheepshanks, some are incredibly short sighted. Sheepshanks was in charge at a time when we were spending massively of stadium redevelopment and over spending on average players, I don't know if people are forgetting that in making comparrisons to Clegg/Evans.

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Morgan added 15:23 - Jun 21 Am in the only one finding the anti-Clegg campaign boring? I remember the anti-sheepshanks regulars whose answer to any failings of ITFC on or off the pitch would be 'sheepshanks out' or 'put some money it the club'. Maybe Clegg has made some bad calls and said some stupid things, maybe not I don't feel I'm in a position to know how many of the things he is being blamed for he has direct involvement over. I thought Keane would be a good Ipswich manager, then I thought Jewell would be a good Ipswich manager. Hindsight is a luxury decision makers do not have. Klug is coming back, this is good for the club. Who will gette credit for this ( yes I realise he is coming back cos he was forced out previously) but its still positive and that needed to be engineered. I don't see the aim of the Clegg out posts on every thread, what outcome would you want from this? It feels like Ipswich fans are looking for an easy target for lack of performances on and off the pitch and maybe we should realise that there are many clubs in more attractive regions in the same position as us and we have unrealistic expectations of who we should have playing for us and where we should be in the league as a consequence.

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itfc1981 added 15:28 - Jun 21 Morgan Somtimes you get poor CEO/Chairmen. Clegg is one. Sheepshanks was not. Sheeper's was unlucky, Clegg is just not up to the job.
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petermorris added 15:33 - Jun 21 He's obviously finished pressure washing the Greene Ramsey Churchman Stand then.....
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itfchorry added 15:40 - Jun 21 Totally agree with you itfc1981 - Sheepy set out a 5 year plan that lead to promotion,Europe and a great stadium. All Clegg has done is take his paint brush to it. Major Clegg - Major Disaster
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itfchorry added 15:40 - Jun 21 Totally agree with you itfc1981 - Sheepy set out a 5 year plan that lead to promotion,Europe and a great stadium. All Clegg has done is take his paint brush to it. Major Clegg - Major Disaster
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HARRY10 added 16:00 - Jun 21 "the rest just want the world to fail so they can say "see, I told you so". wrong the club has failed - under his control not once, but virtually consistently since his appointment in terms of league position, gates, income, debts, even the squad this story has merely highlighted his failings whether he should or should not be in the Lake District is not the real concern ...... that the manager he appointed is talking about us hoping (as a season target) to finish in the top half of the table is, and should be, of grave concern to all fans unlike Clegg we are going nowhere, very fast

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bingboast added 16:06 - Jun 21 Good for Cleggy, he can put the torch on e-bay & buy a player with the proceeds!
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Legend added 16:31 - Jun 21 Any chance of getting a few players in Clegg? Or is that too much to ask! Sorry but the man is a joke and couldnt sell ice to an eskimo let alone sell our club, town and county to a potential player!! Another mid table season to look forward to?
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Woodbridgian added 17:15 - Jun 21 You couldn't make it up .
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ArnieMsBigToe added 17:23 - Jun 21 Legend: I don't think it would be that easy to sell ice to an eskimo. Selling ice to an Arab would be considerably easier. On a serious note though I agree with most peoples sentiments. Having the turnstiles etc repainted will not divert anyone's attention from ITFC's need for new players. T.B.H Phil, I am surprised that you reported this. You must've known that Clegg would be slagged off.

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ArnieMsBigToe added 17:27 - Jun 21 Hey BuryBlue77: Is that a picture of you? You didn't used to be called Alan Brazil did you?
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h32 added 19:30 - Jun 21 Surco, Stringtheory, JewelintheTown - neither Clegg nor Jewell need to be good at anything with people like you around - SAD, FOREVER SATISFIED CHARLIES is what you are. I was going to suggest you 'get some ambition' and some expectation about you, but won't bother ....................................................... Both will love your kind forever, and never need worry about their jobs.

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exeterblu added 19:33 - Jun 21 I never knew he was a Chef as well. Wonder if his pies are any good?
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IrvinGernonsShorts added 20:12 - Jun 21 h32..........POMPOUS GIT.........
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IrvinGernonsShorts added 20:13 - Jun 21 h32..........POMPOUS GIT.........
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EatonBlue added 20:22 - Jun 21 Clegg + fire - what could possibly go wrong ?
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AlanMahon2011 added 20:40 - Jun 21 Clegg + Contract & Pen = What could possibly go right?
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itfchorry added 20:48 - Jun 21 Top work Eaton
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buryblue77 added 21:01 - Jun 21 ArnieM, it is of me wearing my Alan Brazil disguise!
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h32 added 21:23 - Jun 21 IrvinGernonsShorts - another who doesn't like the TRUTH - and a LOSER. Bravo.
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IrvinGernonsShorts added 21:34 - Jun 21 You're right h32, I can never hope to be a WINNER like you
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