Following last week’s announcement I’m delighted to welcome our new Platinum sponsor, Martello Transport, and I’d like to ask all our membership to read a bit more below about Martello and how the sponsorship came about.

Martello Transport is a large Nationwide Container Haulage company that offers 24-hour delivery services throughout the UK. Now in it’s 10th year of trading, they have rapidly established themselves as one of the market leaders.

Based in Felixstowe, they operate over 170 vehicles from all UK ports. With a modern fleet and cutting-edge technology, they are able to offer a flexible and trusted service.

Martello were asked to sponsor our club following a discussion between club legend Foxy and Ivan Smith. For those that do not know Ivan, here’s more…

Ivan joined the club in the late ‘90’s and was part of the 1999/2000 men’s first team who gained promotion to the national league for the first time in the men’s club's history. Ivan was a goal-hungry, tenacious forward who played over 100 national league games for the club. He was an ever-present member of the 1st team during his playing days and captained the M1’s for two seasons until injury forced him to retire in 2008.

Ivan Smith’s reputation on the astro was synonymous with Ipswich Hockey Club values. Determination, commitment, desire, work rate and Ipswich ticker were always at the forefront of Ivan’s playing principles with skill and technique following closely behind.

Fellow forward of Ivan’s era Foxy said of him:

“Ivan was just one of those players you love playing alongside but hate playing against. The best type of players in my opinion. He was a fantastic team mate and servant of the club. Ivan will always bleed blue and it comes as no surprise to me that, when the club need him, he’s still ready and willing to step up.”

Martello will be out new platinum sponsor, leading on shirts, goalside sponsorship and with a presence in the clubhouse. Martello will also be prominent at a junior tournament in September and we look forward to welcoming Ivan and his team to Tuddenham Road.

In the next few weeks we will also announce additional kit and club sponsors and detail plans for new kit and incentives for members to get kitted our in our new Martello kit.

Thank you Ivan, thank you Martello and we look forward to our 3 year agreement with excitement.