A MINI demonstration against Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks and his directors following the game against West Ham fizzled out after the Blues supremo met with two of the protesters.

A MINI demonstration against Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks and his directors following the game against West Ham fizzled out after the Blues supremo met with two of the protesters.

A couple of banners were raised and a small section of around 50 supporters in the lower tier of the North Stand chanted obscenities in the second half of the match and remained after the game.

They were booed during the match by a large proportion of Town fans unhappy at the abuse aimed at the board and manager Joe Royle.

Sheepshanks admitted he was hurt by the personal abuse but revealed he invited two demonstrators to his office where they discussed each others view for nearly an hour.

He said: "We had a frank and open discussion and they were perfectly reasonable. It is always good to hear people's views and I feel when they left the office we all had a better understanding of each other's point of view.

"They told me it was not personal and it was not my head they were after, they just wanted to vent their frustration.

"I totally understand their frustration but it is hard not to take it personally. They went back to their friends to explain what I had told them and I hope everyone has a better understanding."

The Town chairman strengthened the board on Friday by appointing Kevin Beeston, the executive chairman of Serco, one of the largest public service companies in the world. He now believes the share issue will be the final component in the financial recovery of the football club. Sheepshanks added: "A successful share issue will be the final piece in the jigsaw to allow us to move on after coming through a difficult period."

Even though two points in five games has left Town near the bottom, Sheepshanks has every faith in the team to correct the situation.

He said: "I'm convinced Joe, Willie and the players, will turn things around. It is important for the supporters not to look at the next set of results but look further into the season.

"There were many encouraging signs against West Ham who have two world class players in Jermain Defoe and David James in their side.

"We will get it right and I'm refusing to panic, in fact no-one should."