IPSWICH Town Independent Supporters Trust will hand its petition calling on the club to opt for Category One academy status to chief executive Simon Clegg prior to tomorrow’s game against Cardiff.

The petition has been signed by more than 5,000 fans at recent games and online. The Trust’s online petition – which can be found at www.ipswichtownfirst.co.uk – will stop at midnight tonight.

Football League clubs met yesterday to discuss the new Elite Player Performance Plan to which the Premier League has brought into being.

Town are still deciding whether to commit to Category One or Category Two academy status, with the new rules coming in next season.

There is much to consider, with it unclear whether academy expenditure will be included within the Financial Fair Play rules the Championship is also set to introduce ahead of 2012/13. There is also the fact that compensation rules surrounding young players will also now favour bigger clubs.