IPSWICH Town has become the UK's first carbon neutral football club, it was confirmed today.The club announced it had reached its target for saving 3,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide through nearly 14,000 pledges from supporters.

By Jonathan Barnes

IPSWICH Town has become the UK's first carbon neutral football club, it was confirmed today.

The club announced it had reached its target for saving 3,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide through nearly 14,000 pledges from supporters.

The bid to reach carbon neutral status was launched with the support of main sponsor E.ON, the Defra Climate Challenge Fund and the Community Carbon Reduction Project (CRed).

Now the target has been reached, the club will now receive a substantial five-figure donation from E.ON for Jim Magilton's player budget.

The campaign has run throughout the season, asking fans to make an energy efficiency pledge for their homes on the Save Your Energy For The Blues website, in return for a range of Ipswich Town prizes.

It was a pledge from season ticket holder Mel St Pier, who told of his plans to buy a hybrid car, that took the project past the target.

Derek Bowden, Ipswich Town chief executive, said: “Over the last six months, the club has also worked hard to decrease its own energy consumption with the current figures showing a decrease of 20% compared to the same period last year.

“This has been done through a number of measures, including switching the club to a green energy tariff, fitting the floodlights with low energy light bulbs, plus ensuring that catering kiosks fridges are emptied and turned off between fixtures.”

He added: “I would also like to say a massive thank you to all the fans, schools, local businesses and project partners who have helped us reach this target.”

Ipswich captain Jason De Vos, who acted as project ambassador, said: “It has been really inspirational to see the way the fans have embraced this scheme.”

For further information on the project, go to www.saveyourenergyfortheblues.co.uk .