'Casual fan' Ed takes over at Wanderers

By Mel Henderson

LOCAL businessman Ed Nicholls is the new chairman of Ipswich Wanderers.

His appointment is the latest in a series of backroom changes at the Ridgeons League Premier Division club.

Nicholls, 52, is the owner of coach company Gemini Travel and described himself as a “casual fan” of the club that secured seventh spot in the table last season.

But he was quick to add: “From now on Wanderers are my number one priority. I am also an Ipswich Town season ticket holder, but I imagine some of my family members will be taking my place at Portman Road.

Wanderers will go into the forthcoming campaign with John Clarkson as their new manager, replacing Jason Dozzell, who has joined Leiston, while there have also been a number of squad comings and goings.

Nicholls said: “My father lives right over the road from the ground and I can remember going to games when the club was Loadwell and Jimmy Barker was in charge.

“I have known several members of the committee - particularly Alan Haste, Paul Crickmore and Roger Wosahlo - for a number of years and to be honest it was quite an easy decision to make.

“I looked at the situation, thought about it and considered whether I could give it the commitment it needs before I said yes.”

After they finished seventh last term, Nicholls is looking for Wanderers to establish themselves as a top 10 club.

But he admitted: “There is no reason why we shouldn't be challenging for the top five - in fact we will be going into the new season looking to win the league.

“We are a family club, but we are also ambitious both on and off the field. It will be a case of manageable ambition and one of our main aims is to improve facilities at Humber Doucy Lane.

“I am looking forward to it and I hope to still see a number of Town games, when they are switched to a Sunday for example. It looks as if my partner is going to be a football widow.”