It is said that a week is a long time in politics, the same could be said for a week at Portman Road. In military terms, my arrival here at Ipswich Town Football Club has been somewhat of a `baptism by fire'.

I arrived in Ipswich just less than a fortnight ago, knowing that it would be an eventful few days in the Club's history. I was hugely flattered and excited when Marcus Evans offered me the opportunity of joining this great club to take over from Derek Bowden. Our wishes and aspirations for the future of the Club are absolutely aligned. The overriding priority must be to secure what we believe is our rightful position back in the Premier League at the earliest opportunity. That said, I believe we must seek to achieve that goal in a manner and style fitting for this Club with its rich heritage, principles and values; we must build on what has been achieved in the past and deliver in the `Ipswich Way'.

Roy Keane's arrival should be a watershed for this football club. Seldom, even in my Olympic past, have I met an individual so focused and driven by the desire to succeed. Together, I believe we will make a great team, ensuring that the non-playing side of the Club makes the greatest possible contribution to supporting the players, through the manager, on the pitch.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you, the lifeblood of this club, for the support and belief you continue to show. I'd also like to thank those of you who have extended such a warm welcome to me since my arrival, particularly those I had the pleasure of travelling over to Cardiff or standing on the Ninian Park terraces with last weekend. I am absolutely convinced that the fans have a pivotal role in the success of the team. You are the 12th player on the pitch and you do make a difference, as I experienced both at Chelsea earlier in the season and, more recently, in Cardiff.

Working together the team, staff, supporters and sponsors are a powerful force, and together, united in a common goal, we will achieve great success.

As the dust settles on the 2008/09 season enjoy your break and return in August refreshed and full of hope, belief and excitement. It's time to put in place the building blocks to once again make this one of the great football clubs in our country.

On behalf of the entire Club, I'd like to welcome all of our Coventry colleagues to this, the final match of the season.

Simon Clegg