ONE of Ipswich's most respected figures is to be remembered by having a competition named after him.James Hehir was chief executive of Ipswich Borough Council for 20 years until his sudden death last year.

Elvin King

ONE of Ipswich's most respected figures is to be remembered by having a competition named after him.

James Hehir was chief executive of Ipswich Borough Council for 20 years until his sudden death last year.

He was instrumental with Suffolk Football Association chief executive Martin Head in re-launching the Ipswich Inter-Firm Cup last season.

It proved a big success and has grown in numbers this term to show what a shrewd decision it was.

Hehir played in the competition and once scored a penalty in the final while Head is also a former Inter-Firm player.

Head has revealed that the competition will now be named after his old friend.

“The Borough Council's Team Ipswich initiative and the Suffolk FA were proud to re-launch the competition after a decade,” said Head.

“The Inter-firm Cup gives local people the chance to make their side the elite business team in Ipswich and to take advantage of business networking opportunities.

“James was a great man, and his death hit many people very hard.

“Not only did he do so much for Ipswich, he was a great champion of sport and it's fitting that this trophy will now hold his name.”

The dates for this season's quarter-finals are currently being finalised and more details on the competition - and how to enter - can be found on the Suffolk FA website at www.suffolkfa.com or by contacting James Payne on 01449 776310 or James.Payne@suffolkfa.com