The East of England Co-op is not extending its sponsorship of Portman Road’s West Stand, the club has announced.

The Co-op has sponsored what was previously known as the Pioneer and then Britannia Stand since 2012.

Town say the stand will now be known as the West Stand, its name until the current structure was built in the mid-eighties during Pioneer’s time as club sponsors, while the Co-op will sponsor other areas.

“On behalf of the football club, I’d like to thank the East of England Co-op for their support,” Town’s director of sales Rosie Richardson told the club site.

“We have had an exceptional working relationship with the East of England Co-op for more than 20 years and they are continuing to support the club in other ways and through various initiatives. Our partnership will continue.”

Doug Field, joint-CEO at the East of England Co-op, added: “We've been proud sponsors of the West Stand at Portman Road for almost 10 years.

“As a passionate local business it’s been fantastic to have our name on the walls of a local landmark like Portman Road.

“Although we have taken the decision not to renew our sponsorship of the stand, we're very much looking forward to continuing our work with ITFC and supporting them as the club continues to build and grow.”

Photo: Matchday Images

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:35 - Jul 20 The Sir Edward Sheeran of Suffolk stand it is then!
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JackSted added 15:37 - Jul 20 Paul Lambert stand
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Ftnfwest added 15:38 - Jul 20 must be waitrose now surely?
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TractorCam added 15:38 - Jul 20 I hope they keep with the letters theme to spell out Ipswich, rather than just make it all blue.
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wewerefamous added 15:43 - Jul 20 How about the fans have an option to contribute a few quid each and re-name it the “we hate the scum stand”? 😂
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Bazza8564 added 15:44 - Jul 20 So many renaming opportunities, especially firms like Adidas (ive written before about them funding stand improvements on Cobbold and West Stands in return for whole stadium naming rights), but I hope we bring this stand in line with the others and dedicate it to the memory of a player or players and our history. The Mariner Beattie or Flying Dutchmen stand sound a bit ostentatious but im sure there will be plenty of good alternatives. And as a footnote, isn't it interesting how Ashton is already leveraging up the terms. If Co-op had no intention of renewing, it would have been announced at the season end......

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Monkey_Blue added 15:49 - Jul 20 I may just be being sentimental but would love that Pioneer logo and tuning fork back. Pioneer was such a cool sponsor
8

ringwoodblue added 15:55 - Jul 20 Surely it has to be the Paul Mariner Stand
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PortmanTerrorist added 15:55 - Jul 20 Completely sentimental Monkey_Blue, but why not. Was beyond cool as we will be once again very soon.
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Esseeja added 16:02 - Jul 20 What a creative name!
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JewellintheTown added 16:03 - Jul 20 BlueandTruesince82 - Good idea! If Ed Sheeran sponsored it, I vote we affectionately call it "The ShEd". Ideal for the Tractor Boys.
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SamWhiteUK added 16:03 - Jul 20 Thank god, we can get rid of "I <3 the co op"
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BLUEBEAT added 16:22 - Jul 20 Still always referred to as the Pioneer Stand, anyway…!
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brendenward35 added 16:30 - Jul 20 I'll have a chat with Mike see if he wants the sports direct logo on the stand his into that type of sponsorship (only kidding by the way)
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Wooly74 added 16:32 - Jul 20 Will always be the Pioneer stand for me too
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blues1 added 17:08 - Jul 20 Sorry ut dont get the idea of thosexsaying go back to the pioneer stand. We cant. We're ot sponsored by pioneer. As for those suggesting ed Sheeran? Why. Hes just another fan.
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blues1 added 17:10 - Jul 20 Only reason anyone knows him is bcse hes a singer/songwriter. Hes got his sponsorship on the shirts having given the club money for that. And good on him. But naming a stand after him? Bobthsnks. Not when there are club legends such as Mariner or Phillip's it could be named after
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parhamblue added 17:42 - Jul 20 How about we name the west stand the Trophy Cabinet, with a big sign facing the pitch and let the Norwich away supporters look across at it.
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runningout added 17:46 - Jul 20 Clutching at our history isn't a good look
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istanblue added 17:53 - Jul 20 Co-op was such a cringe sponsor so this is good news.
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Town4me added 18:13 - Jul 20 It'll always be pioneer stand.
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Skip73 added 19:16 - Jul 20 How about the Marcus Evans Stand, could save a few bob on the signage as its probably still in the bin.
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NorfolkBlue39 added 19:37 - Jul 20 The Kevin Beattie stand
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Bad_Boy_Mark added 19:49 - Jul 20 As others have said above, to me it will always be the Pioneer Stand! Failing that, I will start a company called "One Night" and sponsor it myself!
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Tufty added 20:05 - Jul 20 How about the cup winners stand For a player look no further than Mick Mills
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