DAVID Sheepshanks' 14-year association with Ipswich Town could come to an end next month unless an agreement is reached on an extension to his role.

DAVID Sheepshanks' 14-year association with Ipswich Town could come to an end next month unless an agreement is reached on an extension to his role.

The 56-year-old first took over as chairman of the club in 1995, however he agreed to step down from an executive role last May to operate as a non-executive chairman for a year.

It is now believed that, less than two months before that contract ends, there has been no detailed discussion with club owner Marcus Evans - who took control of the club with a �12m takeover in December 2007 - about renewing the association.

Yesterday Sheepshanks' great ally, Derek Bowden - the chief executive he appointed five years ago - announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, with the former British Olympic Association chief executive, Simon Clegg, having been linked with the role.

If Sheepshanks were to follow Bowden through the door at Portman Road there will be far-reaching repercussions. Sheepshanks has held a seat on the Football Association board since 1997, apart from a three-year hiatus caused by his club's promotion to the Premier League in 2000.

On leaving Ipswich, Sheepshanks must relinquish the position he holds on the Football League board as a representative of the Championship. And since he owes his FA role to his status as a delegate of the league, that would mean Soho Square would lose all the football expertise and experience he has built up over 12 years in senior positions in the game.