IPSWICH Town bosses are getting shirty with their own fans – by banning the first team strip from parts of the Portman Road stadium.It seems the famous blue and white outfit is not smart enough for the club's prawn sandwich brigade, after complaints led to it being excluded from the corporate areas of the ground.

IPSWICH Town bosses are getting shirty with their own fans – by banning the first team strip from parts of the Portman Road stadium.

It seems the famous blue and white outfit is not smart enough for the club's prawn sandwich brigade, after complaints led to it being excluded from the corporate areas of the ground.

This includes executive boxes and suites, the Centre Spot Restaurant, the Galleria Gold Club and the Far Post Bar.

A club statement sent out to corporate members states: "It is widely felt the dress code helps to underline the exclusivity of the corporate areas to members' guests and clients, something that cannot be achieved if there is no visible difference between corporate guests and non-corporate ticket holders."

It adds the smart casual dress code, which also bans jeans and trainers, was implemented following "requests by a large number" of existing members. The new Benchwear range, however, is not barred.

Fans who flout the rule could be refused entry to the ground.

A club spokesman said: "Along with other clubs, we have had a dress code in corporate areas for some time now and this letter was sent out as a reminder to our corporate partners to ensure it is recognised."

Footballs have also been banned from the practise pitch behind the Britannia Stand after reports of fans being hit in the face and some having hot drinks knocked out of their hands.

Many youngsters had been having a kick-about before matches, but this will now be limited to the club's organised community events.

A club spokesman said: "We had to take this decision because a number of people have been hurt by flying footballs while waiting on the forecourt outside the Britannia Stand.

"We have had incidents of people having hot coffee spilt over them after being hit by a ball so, for safety reasons, we can no longer allow ball games on the Fieldturf area."

If balls are brought in to the ground, they will be confiscated at the turnstile and will have to be collected from the stewards' hut after the match.

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