FORMER Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks has revealed he is stepping down from the board of Ipswich Town.

Sheepshanks will also stand down from the FA and Football League boards as he focuses on his role as chairman of St George’s Park, the new name for the National Football Centre.

But the club have confirmed that Sheepshanks, who was elected to the Town board in 1987 and appointed chairman in 1995, will remain as chairman of the PLC board and the Ipswich Town Charitable Trust.

Current chief executive Simon Clegg today paid tribute to Sheepshanks and spoke of how he played a key role in securing Marcus Evans to the club.

Clegg said: “David has been a loyal servant of Ipswich Town Football Club for many years. He has made a massive contribution to the club, provided strong leadership during the highs of promotion to the Premier League and UEFA Cup football, as well as the challenges in guiding the club through administration.

“He was responsible for heading the search for a suitable owner and deserves much credit for securing Marcus Evans’ ownership and on-going investment. I am personally grateful to David for his candid support and encouragement along with his words of advice and wisdom.

“The club will now find a suitable way of recognising his great support and contribution to Ipswich Town over many decades and we are delighted that he will continue to provide his expertise in two critical components of English football.”

Speaking of the announcement, Sheepshanks said: “I have decided to stand down in June from The FA, Football League and Ipswich Town boards to allow me to devote more time to chairing St George’s Park.

“This will free up a considerable amount of time and with construction underway, there is an enormous amount to be done over the next year to prepare for operational readiness. A coach education and training hub for English football and other sports, St George’s Park will benefit the entire pyramid of the game from grassroots to elite, as well as the local community.”

Sheepshanks, who will also remain as chairman of FA Learning, The FA’s educational arm, has been chairman of St George’s Park since November 2008 and has overseen its delivery through to its current construction phase.