Reserves will still feature at Portman Road

Reports had declared that the Reserve fixture against Charlton on Monday night was 'the end of an era' for the reserves, with them dropping out of the Reserve League and also from playing games on the Portman Road pitch.

The Ipswich Head Groundsman, Alan Ferguson, is understood to be concerned about the state of the pitch with Reserve fixtures being played on the surface but some Reserve matches will still be played at Portman Road in 2006/2007, ITFM can reveal.

The Reserves still have three more matches to play in the Premier Reserve League South this season but will not be in the league next season.

Instead, Joe Royle has said that they are considering forming an East Anglian based league or will play friendlies throughout the season.

Needham Market's ground was used to play the recent Reserve game against West Ham becuase it was on the Friday before the first team were in action at Portman Road.

However the club are keen for the Reserves to 'tour the community' but some of the games next season will be played at Portman Road still, with season ticket holders getting in free.