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."

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

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