IPSWICH Town bosses have been given a boost as their main sponsor signed up for a further two years.The name on the shirts will change - but that is only because energy giant E.

IPSWICH Town bosses have been given a boost as their main sponsor signed up for a further two years.

The name on the shirts will change - but that is only because energy giant E.ON is dropping the Powergen name from the summer.

For the next two years at least the club will play with the name and logo of E.ON on their shirts.

Ipswich Town chief executive Derek Bowden said: “We're delighted to have the continued support of E.ON for the next two seasons, especially as they will become the lead partner of The FA Cup - increasing their commitment to football.

“Following the rescheduling of our debt earlier in the year and the signing of all key players on longer-term contracts we're in a strong position for the season ahead.

“E.ON's commitment to the club demonstrates their belief in our ability to challenge for promotion next season and in particular, their financial support has enabled us to keep a promotion-challenging squad together.”

There had been speculation that the company's link-up with the FA could have placed a question mark over its continued involvement with the club - but those fears have proved unfounded.

The news also means that Town will have retained the same sponsorship from 2001 to 2008 - but with three different names on its shirts.

It started off being sponsored by TXU Energi. That was taken over by Powergen, which then became part of German-based energy giant E.ON.

Mike Thompson, head of sponsorship, E.ON UK, said: “Our sponsorship of ITFC has been very successful in raising awareness of the Powergen brand.

“By extending this relationship with the club we now have the opportunity to promote E.ON, the company that runs Powergen, to the club's fans, our customers and the wider community.”

Fans will be able to purchase the new away shirt, featuring the E.ON logo, from Planet Blue stores and Planet Blue online from mid-May onwards, with pre-orders ready for collection in early May. The newly-branded home shirt will also go on sale from early May.