Evans Reiterates Commitment to Town Thursday, 16th Dec 2010 09:40
Town owner and chairman Marcus Evans has reiterated his commitment to the club, almost three years since he took over at Portman Road. Shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of Evans’s takeover at an EGM on December 17th 2007.
In a statement, Evans says his intentions with Town are unchanged despite the lack of return on his investment so far: “I remain as committed to Ipswich Town now as I did when I first became involved with the club three years ago and the target remains the same — to take ITFC back to where it belongs — the Premier League.”
The reclusive businessman says he never thought of his involvement with the Blues as a short-term thing: “I have always looked long term as a businessman and that’s certainly the case at Ipswich Town as well.”
Evans doesn’t specifically mention manager Roy Keane or speculation over his position, but says the current situation needs to be reversed sooner rather than later: “We all know that this needs to turn around quickly and we need to see a return to our early campaign form if we are to end the season, which is not yet halfway through, in a position to which everyone aspires.”
Photo: Action Images
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Legend added 09:47 - Dec 16
YAWN!! | | |
thechangingman added 09:47 - Dec 16
Yawn - whatever... These really aren't glorious days are they? I can't ever remember feeling this nonchalant about my beloved Town... Things, as they say, can only get better... (as long as a certain, ahem, 'manager' does the right thing and SOON...) | | |
thechangingman added 09:48 - Dec 16
Hey! That's cool - we made our YAWN comments at exactly the same moment... Maybe we're encapsulating a general mood at the club? | | |
nobrain added 09:50 - Dec 16
zzzzzzzz | | |
big_gaz67 added 09:56 - Dec 16
If Mr Evan's investment in purely a finacial commitment aiming to recoup the investment when we/if are in the Premier League then surely the long term synposis looks like a club that may get promoted for a year or two/the owner taking out a major lump of the cash that attracts as a return on revenue and long term subsequent relegation, withdrawal of Mr Evan's backing and further financial turmoil. Surely better we go through that financial turmoil now, even if it means going into administration and losing 10 points, and the club can then be rebuilt and taken forward by a board that shares the fan's true passion for the club with its history and heritage of good football. | | |
Legend added 09:57 - Dec 16
Yes thechangingman i believe its the general feel. I'm still waiting for the 'wickham is still out injured' headline to cap off a week of spin, lies and false players promises. All quiet from the gaffer....too quiet | | |
cammeray added 10:01 - Dec 16
Its all quiet from the gaffer because its not Monday morning. Though he could probably copy/paste from last week, so could we | | |
bluepeter added 10:01 - Dec 16
The changingman, it was nearly three at once as I had gone to look for my glasses and found your posts on my return. Yawn | | |
Legend added 10:06 - Dec 16
Sir Bobby must be turning in his grave at the state of the club he built up from nothing. God rest his soul. Its so clear to see that evans bought this club to make money and rasie the name of the Evans group by having his name on Shirts, stands, boardings etc etc. He has no real passion for ITFC like the Cobbolds and Sheepy did!!!!!!!!!! | | |
MyBlueHeaven added 10:19 - Dec 16
@legend - to say SBR buit the club up from nothing is disrespectful to what had gone on before. We'd won the championship only 7 years earlier, and we were in the first division when Robson took over. He built us up of course - to something way beyond what we could imagine - but to say it was from nothing is overstating it. as for Evans... I hate it when people say a club 'belongs' in a particular division. We don't belong in the Premiership. We belong in the Championship - that's where we're playing. If we get promoted to the Prem then we'll belong there. And, of course, if we get relegated to League One then that's where we'll belong. | | |
buryblue77 added 10:20 - Dec 16
Well at least he's come out and said something, most of us are calling for action and for the owner to at least say something. If you read between the lines (which is jumping to conclusions) he's addmitting something needs to be done, it may be hard for a successful businessman to admit he's made a mistake in the appointment of Keane and maybe this is his way of hinting at making changes to the current situation. “We all know that this needs to turn around quickly and we need to see a return to our early campaign form if we are to end the season, which is not yet halfway through, in a position to which everyone aspires.” That's an admission that it's not going right and that changes need to be made, although he doesn't give anything away as to whether this is going to be done under the current management or by way of a change. Also I'm not one for rumours but I had heard that Keane hadn't been seen around the club these last few days after the Preston defeat, I'm not sayinh he has or hasn't been in taking training sessions, just something that someone had said to me so it could all be incorrect. I'm hoping he has been there, working with the players to try find a way out of our current free falling mess! COYB!!!!! | | |
Tractastic added 10:26 - Dec 16
I hope Keane's up in Blackburn talking to chicken farmers but chance would be a fine thing!! | | |
nobrain added 10:34 - Dec 16
ME's words are mostly about maintaining the 'value' of his property. You are unlikely to hear a businessman say that he is into something short term, as that usually reduces the market valuation. Simlarly managers get the backing of the board until the day they are sacked - Avram Grant seeming to be the exception! | | |
Dorsetblue added 10:35 - Dec 16
I believe when Mr Evans brought the club we have to be in the Premier League for a number of years before he can pull money out of the club. Anyone who thinks that administration is the way to go is mad. I'm sure you would all complain if we had to sell players just to get by. Secondly the club had to be sold as they had no other forms of income streams. Pure and simple thank Mr Evans for his money and don't complain. If he hadn't have turned up and put his money in the club would not be here. Everyone makes mistake but you dont get that rich by making many... | | |
unstableblue added 10:46 - Dec 16
We should be applauding this statement not bemoaning it. Without Mr Evans investment who knows where Town would be. I know that he travels to more away games than a lot of us and is committed to the club personally as well as an long term investment. Yes project Keane is failing and unless we get a run going soon, will have completely failed. But lets not deride our owner to the point where he thinks whats the point in continued investment in a club where I am made out as a villain. | | |
clive_baker added 10:49 - Dec 16
Agree 100% MyBlueHeaven - We've been in the Championship for a decade, we well and truly belong here and i cant see it changing any time soon. Lets be realistic we wont go down. We just wont and come the end of the season i would be amazed if we're in the bottom 7 or 8. That said, I would be equally amazed if we're in the top 7 or 8. We have too many loanees who dont care because they will be off soon and too many overpaid wasters (Keane included). Get him out and NOW Evans if you have any interest in this club. All fit we need a settled team and we should line up: Fulup, Peters, Macauley, Smith, Delaney, Leadbitter, Hyam, Norris, Priskin, Edwards, Scotland. All ours and a good blend of youth and experience. Get what we can for Wickham and get behind the new manager for a good second half of the season. | | |
Legend added 10:52 - Dec 16
Im sure Norwich said they wouldnt go down! | | |
bluearmy4life added 11:08 - Dec 16
Good news that he is still 100% commited to the club. He has also stated results have to improve quickly which is good because if we don't win the games coming up and generally don't improve Keane will be sacked. I hope results do improve as of saturday and we go on a long unbeaten run but I don't think it will happen based on the current performances. Nothing less than a win is acceptable on Saturday defeat will be the end for Keane who has been very lucky to survive up until now. | | |
dirtydingusmagee added 11:10 - Dec 16
ditto, myblueheaven , i think also that Evans will show Keane the door very soon . | | |
Karlosfandangal added 11:12 - Dec 16
Bit torn on this one. I am pleased that Evans is sticking with the manager as its is the tradition of Ipswich Town, However I dont think Keane is the man to take us forward. Reading between the lines I think Keane has till the end of Christmas to turn the results round. If the club is going to replace Keane at the end of the season then i feel it would be best to do it soon, so the new man can make a descison on the team as to who he wants to give new contract to and identify new siginings. However if Clegg and Keane have identified who they want to give new contracts too it seems to me that Keane will not be going anywhere just yet Very confuseed | | |
brittaniaman added 11:13 - Dec 16
Norris statement in last nights press saying he had not seen the manager since the Preston game, so who is taking the training session ????? ref. to buryblue77 to your statement !!!!! | | |
alfromcol added 11:20 - Dec 16
Spot on unstableblue. There are calls for Comments from Evans and when he makes some, people pick it apart. The club would be in Div 1 or worse now if he hand not put his company's money into ITFC. Always remember that is his company's money and not his personal spending money. The accountants amongst you will know how this investment, even loss making, can be used to advantage within the accounts. | | |
bobble added 11:21 - Dec 16
sounds like keanes going to be looking for another club to destroy......the end is nigh..thank the gods | | |
AlexanderFields added 11:30 - Dec 16
Legend. So Bobby Robson built the club up from nothing, did he? Alf Ramsey did s.. all then? | | |
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