JAMES Scowcroft believes Ipswich Town’s continued absence from Suffolk’s leading knockout competition is a good thing for the county’s non-League clubs.

Some clubs and former player Jamie Griffiths rounded on the Tractor Boys last week to criticise their decision not to play in the event, despite being the only professional team in Suffolk.

But even after Ipswich manager Paul Jewell admitted this week he was not aware of the cup — despite the final being played at Portman Road — Scowcroft understood the reasons why they did not enter it.

“The reserves should be all about developing young players and I can’t see how that competition helps with that,” said Scowcroft, who played in the competition for both Ipswich and Bury Town.

“It’s nice for clubs to go up against them and a bit of a boost to revenue streams, but it made a bit of a mockery of the competition.

“I was at Ipswich Town versus Needham Market for the 2010 final and it was so one sided it was unfair, whereas Bury Town versus Needham Market last year was a good game.”

However, the Marketmen’s manager Danny Laws believes having Ipswich back in the competition would enhance it as a spectacle.

He added: “It is a loss to the competition and I would certainly like them to come back into it.”

Ipswich pay £500 to Suffolk Football Association not to be in the competition, but have traditionally sent out sides against local non-League clubs, including Bury, Needham and Walsham-le-Willows in 2011.

And Bury boss Richard Wilkins — who sold centre-back Ian Miller to Ipswich Town on the back of a pre-season game — was not surprised by Jewell not being aware of the competition and added: “We are fortunate we’ve had pre-season games against Ipswich Town, which help the coffers.”

Meanwhile, Suffolk FA said they would welcome Ipswich Town back into the competition, as well as thanking them for continuing to host finals for the Premier Cup, Senior Cup and Junior Cup.

Chief executive Phil Knight added: “Having our friends at Portman Road back in the LB Group Suffolk FA Premier Cup would be a fantastic boost to the competition, participating teams and grassroots football throughout Suffolk.”

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BURY Cricket Club president David Barker believes the club have everything in place for a successful season as they returned to the winter nets this week.

A range of players from the club’s numerous teams took part in the session at Culford School as they began their early preparations ahead of this seasons East Anglian Premier League, which kicks off in April.

Bury finished a somewhat disappointing fifth place in the league but Barker believes the experiences and lessons learnt from the campaign, particularly amongst the young players, will put them in good stead for a successful challenge.

“It is early days but you can already see that our main focus is gearing towards the future of the club,” he said.

“We are preparing well to compete strongly this season and we are all hopeful of improving on our fifth place finish.

“The young players at the club now have that experience of the Premier league from last season and they will better for it.

“We are in a stronger position now and we are focused on pushing on to improve on the last campaign, that is the aim.

“It is a very competitive league but we are confident competing strongly.”

Tom Huggins will lead the first team out in their opening match against newly promoted Suffolk rivals Copdock at the Victory Ground, on Saturday, April 21, replacing existing captain Justin Bishop who is relinquishing the role.

Barker explained the reasons behind Bishop reducing his responsibilities as he spoke about his new captain and the renewed excitement of having three Suffolk teams in the same division.

“Justin will still be involved and remains fully committed to the club but he felt with the responsibility of being Suffolk captain he couldn’t do both,” he added.

“Everyone backs Tom taking over the captaincy from Justin because he is hugely experienced and is of a very high calibre.

“Tom will do a very good job as the new captain and we are in no doubt that he can lead us to achieve our aim of a successful season.

“We used to be the only side in Suffolk in the League but now we have been joined by Sudbury and Copdock which bodes well for the county.

“It will be fantastic to have that regional rivalry and certainly gives us an incentive to do well this year”