New sponsorship deal for the Blues

The global business - run by the Blues' entrepreneurial owner - has agreed a contract with the club that will run until June 2013.

It is understood to be worth £4 million.

The Marcus Evans Group, who will have their logo emblazoned on Ipswich's shirts, replace energy firm E.ON, who confirmed they were ending their association with the club late last year.

"The Marcus Evans Group is a highly-successful international company with interests including conferences, summits, sports hospitality and business training," said Martin Pitcher, one of Evans' representatives on the board at Portman Road.

"It operates in 65 countries worldwide and is consistently increasing its global reach year on year.

"Ipswich Town's ambition is to establish itself back in the top flight of English football and achieve long-term success in the Premier League.

"The worldwide media coverage that comes with playing in the Premier League, and which football attracts in general, provides an ideal platform to further develop awareness of the Marcus Evans brand to an international audience.

"So, through the partnership, we aim to help return Ipswich Town Football Club to the Premier League and maintain the club's status at that level, as well as reinforcing the position of the group as a trusted global brand."

There had been plenty of speculation that Evans' business would take over as club sponsor, as soon as he became involved with the Blues.

Town's sales and marketing director Andrew Goulborn said: "There was serious interest from other high-profile companies but the long-term commitment and financial support offered by the Marcus Evans Group proved decisive."

Chief executive Derek Bowden welcomed the move and said: "The sponsorship deal is another illustration of Marcus Evans' long-term commitment to Ipswich Town.

"He is determined - as we all are - to see this football club return to the Premier League and stay there and this sponsorship will help us achieve our goal."