IPSWICH Town FC's affinity savings account remains in the top half of the table in terms of its return to investors, despite the dramatic falls in interest rates, according to a new survey.

IPSWICH Town FC's affinity savings account remains in the top half of the table in terms of its return to investors, despite the dramatic falls in interest rates, according to a new survey.

Town's account, together with those of a dozen other clubs including giants Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, is run by the Britannia Building Society which, according to Moneynet.co.uk, is currently offering a rate of 0.12% on balances of �500.

This puts Town in joint seventh place in the “league table” of nearly 50 clubs with affinity accounts included in the survey.

Topping the table is Portsmouth, with a rate of 2.2% on an account offered by Scottish Widows Bank, followed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose account run by Birmingham Midshires, on 0.75%.

Joint third, on 0.5%, are Barnsley (with the Barnsley Building Society) and Nottingham Forest (Nottingham Building Society) and while joint fifth, on 0.3%, are Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United (both with the Leeds Building Society).

While the rates do not compare favourable with those available on some other accounts - Moneynet quotes 3.15% gross with instant access from Alliance & Leicester - the good news for fans is that the clubs' return on their cash remains the same as long as they leave it in their affinity account.

Rather than being dependent on interest rates, the return to the club is usually linked to the value of its fans' deposits with Ipswich Town receiving up to 1% from the Britannia.

Since the account was first launched 11 years ago, Town has received more than �6.5million from the society, with the money going to support its youth development.

Andrew Hagger of Moneynet said that while the average rate on the affinity accounts had dropped from 2.47% at the start of last season to just 0.19%, the contribution to clubs had remained largely unchanged, at 1.04% against 1.11%.

“Whilst these accounts continue to provide a much needed boost to club coffers, devoted supporters are now receiving next to nothing by way of interest for themselves,” he said.

“Many clubs in the Football League, from the Championship through to League Two, are living a hand to mouth existence with new cases of clubs facing administration every season.

“It seems that loyal fans are prepared to forgo a decent return on their cash on the understanding that the depleted coffers of their beloved team will benefit as a result.”