Ipswich rent up 743 since 2006

Last updated : 22 March 2011 By BBC Sport

"We've had a significant increase in our rent of 743%, increasing our annual rent from about ?15,000 to ?111,000," Clegg told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"So reluctantly we've decided we've had to increase ticket prices by 6%."

Ipswich's Portman Road ground is owned by the council, with the club paying annual rent to use the site.

It is the first time Town have raised the price of season tickets in five years, with adults set to pay on average between ?1 and ?1.50 more for each match next term.

Marcus Evans is not accustomed to failure and he would see remaining in the Championship as failure

Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg

But Clegg explained increasing costs for amenities - and a rise in VAT - left them with no option.

"I looked at it very carefully, I don't want to increase prices but at the end of the day we don't live in a bubble here, we're not immune to the costs that are being imposed on us by third parties," he said.

"Unfortunately we've made the decision that some of those costs will be passed on to our loyal fans."

Despite the club's outgoings increasing and a disappointing campaign on the pitch, Clegg insists owner Marcus Evans is still as committed as ever to backing the side financially.

"I'm very excited from the conversations I've had with the owner and manager last week," Clegg added.

"There is no waning of the enthusiasm of the owner to take this club back into the Premier League at the earliest opportunity.

"Marcus Evans is not accustomed to failure and he would see remaining in the Championship as failure.

"Marcus has said he will continue to make the level of investment available to the manager that he feels is necessary."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport