SUFFOLK Football Association chief executive Martin Head has seen nothing but good coming from Ipswich Town's decision to return to the Suffolk Premier Cup.

Elvin King

SUFFOLK Football Association chief executive Martin Head has seen nothing but good coming from Ipswich Town's decision to return to the Suffolk Premier Cup.

Relations between professional and non-league football in the county have rarely been stronger.

Jim Magilton re-entered the Blues into the Premier Cup and they thrashed Leiston in the final in their first year back - 2006/2007.

The following season they were beaten in the earlier rounds by Lowestoft Town and last season by Needham Market.

This season they are aiming to reach the final again having beaten Leiston and face Haverhill Rovers in the quarter-final at Portman Road next Tuesday.

“It is great to have Ipswich Town back in the fold,” said Head. “It enhances our cup competitions.

“I saw having a good working relationship between the county and its main football club as very important and I have to thank David Sheepshanks and in particular secretary Sally Webb at Portman Road for their help.

“Simon Clegg, the Ipswich Town chief executive, has said he is keen to keep the relationship going.”

Commenting on Haverhill's reported reluctance to play at Portman Road next Tuesday rather that their own Hamlet Croft ground, Head said: “It is obviously a huge bonus to Haverhill's players and when they add up the whole package I can't see Haverhill losing out as a club.

“Ipswich Town have always been very generous in the past foregoing their share of match proceeds in their previous games in the competition.”