IPSWICH Town chairman David Sheepshanks today responded to the first challenge to his position at Portman Road.He offered to meet bank chief Peter Morris after it emerged that the Shotley-based tycoon was considering a challenge to the board.

IPSWICH Town chairman David Sheepshanks today responded to the first challenge to his position at Portman Road.

He offered to meet bank chief Peter Morris after it emerged that the Shotley-based tycoon was considering a challenge to the board.

"I would be happy to meet anyone considering investing in Ipswich Town, especially Mr Morris," Mr Sheepshanks said today. "Ipswich Town is bigger than any one individual."

As the first challenger to the Town chairman's leadership spoke out, it also emerged today that Norwich City are one of Ipswich's creditors to the tune of £75.

With a week to go before Ipswich could come out of administration, the man who first voiced his disillusionment with the Town chief exclusively in The Evening Star this month has put himself forward to contest the chairmanship.

Mr Morris said he wanted Mr Sheepshanks to "fall on his own sword" and said he would fight him for the top job.

At the same time as Mr Morris's challenge, unsecured creditors are planning their own meeting to give Mr Sheepshanks a united voice on their dissatisfaction at losing 95 per cent of money they are owed by the club.

Some of the 500 unsecured creditors of the beleaguered club have already pledged their support for a challenge to Sheepshanks, saying it is "excellent news" and "thank goodness someone is trying to oust him".

FULL STORY IN TONIGHT'S EVENING STAR