NOW is the time for Ipswich Town directors to pay up and help the club climb out of its pit of debt, Blues legend Kevin Beattie said today.The former Ipswich and England centre half said he finds it hard to accept those at the helm are not doing more to get the club out of its current financial crisis.

NOW is the time for Ipswich Town directors to pay up and help the club climb out of its pit of debt, Blues legend Kevin Beattie said today.

The former Ipswich and England centre half said he finds it hard to accept those at the helm are not doing more to get the club out of its current financial crisis.

"Why couldn't the directors fork out a bit of cash by way of a short-term loan? They are probably going to ask creditors to accept around ten pence in the pound – how fair is that?" asked the man voted the club's greatest ever player in a number of polls.

As administrators Deloitte & Touche continue to assess the debt, it has been revealed that some of the

accountants are staying in the plush surroundings of Hintlesham Hall, courtesy of the cash-strapped club.

Beattie said he remains more than a little mystified at the extent of the crisis.

And he said: "What puzzles me most is the way the board of directors seem to be doing nothing to help. Town are banking £1million for Darren Ambrose and it seems we are trying to give Hermann Hreidarsson away, just to get him off the wage bill."

TOWN IN TURMOIL – IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION IN TONIGHT'S EVENING STAR