ALTHOUGH they could not agree a main sponsorship deal with National Express, Ipswich Town are in talks with coach and rail company about discount travel for their fans travelling to away games.

Derek Davis

ALTHOUGH they could not agree a main sponsorship deal with National Express, Ipswich Town are in talks with coach and rail company about discount travel for their fans travelling to away games.

National express took over from One in running trains in East Anglia and the club are keen to tie up a deal for their supporters.

Initially it would be supporters going to and from Portman Road but then extended for away matches across the country.

Blues chief executive Derek Bowden said: “In previous years we have had talks with One about special rates for home games and we will continue to talk to national express about doing something for home games then maybe extending it nationally.”

The Blues are also in negotiations with National Express about either putting on later trains or changing the times of departure from Ipswich station to help supporters get home earlier after matches at Portman Road.

Bowden confirmed: “We are also talking to them about modifying the time table to help Town fans get home after evening games.”

There was a suggestion that Town played their games at 8pm, as Crystal Palace do, but a supporters' forum rejected the idea.

Bowden went on to say he thought Town had made real progress this season.

“We have made real progress this year.

“If we knew we would finish in eighth place and point away from the play-offs we would have been pleased.

“At the end though, to finish just one point away is incredibly frustrating because we were so close yet so far.

“That said we feel for Wolves who were one goal away.

“It has been a good year, especially at home, and the supporters went away happy after the Hull game.

“Season tickets were going well anyway with the price freeze and the direct debit module we introduced and we are at the same level as we were last year which is what we hoped we would be at.”

And on the subject of playing Lazio, Bowden added: “We are toying with the idea of playing Lazio in Rome during an international weekend. They may be depleted so it may not be a good idea, but they do still owe us a game.