Town owner Marcus Evans presented a cheque for £20,000 to the NHS to support local healthcare services prior to last night’s 2-1 home victory over Burton Albion.

The sum related to Evans’s offer to donate 5 per cent of season ticket revenue received prior to May 7th to the NHS locally.

He presented the cheque to Nick Hulme, chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Ipswich and Colchester hospitals.

Town’s shirts bear a message of thank you to the NHS this season in tribute to their efforts during the pandemic.

The near 9,000 season ticket holders who committed to the club had been unable to watch any live football until Saturday when 2,000 selected via a ballot were finally allowed into the ground to see the 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth.

Another 2,000 watched last night’s win against the Brewers and Evans is pleased they are now able to return to Portman Road, even if it is in limited numbers.

“I want to thank those that committed to a season ticket at a time when there was so much uncertainty around and we are all delighted that those supporters are finally getting a chance now to see their team play live,” he told the club website."

“Football is all about the supporters and having spoken to the manager and the players, I know they have missed the atmosphere and extra edge that fans create from the stands."

“Hopefully in time, there will be an increase in the numbers of supporters allowed to attend games and while safety is obviously of paramount importance, the club does plan to look at ways we can add to matchday as it exists at the moment, perhaps with some of the food and drink outlets opening up where social distancing is clearly viable.”

Photo: ITFC

BlueandTruesince82 added 16:45 - Dec 16 Fair play..... much as Evans tenure is rightly under severe scrutiny at the moment this is a reflection of the other side of our owner.... make be only 20k but he didnt have to do it and If thats 5% (Of pre May 7tn season tickets) then thats only 400k those sales bring in... assuming my sums are right which its perfectly possible they are not... I don't know how many tickets that is of the total 9k sold but it does underline how little revenue comes in without sky megabucks and for all the criticsm that right now is utterly warranted we should acknowledge the club's good work and Evans himself when he does make such gestures

14

Bluearmy_81 added 17:09 - Dec 16 Great PR at a sorely needed time. Can't go wrong with the NHS
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IpsJim added 07:52 - Dec 17 Wow.......... He is at possibly his most difficult stage ever in his career as itfc owner and he plays the PR Card............
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brendenward35 added 08:00 - Dec 17 How many other clubs have done this? Nice gesture from the club no need for negativity well done Town and ME
7

Lathers added 09:40 - Dec 17 Clearly a nice man, but still a rubbish football club owner.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 10:04 - Dec 17 For goodness sake cut the man some slack on this please. I am as disappointed with his tenure as anyone. But please just accept this as a genuine gesture without resorting to the same tired cynicism and suspicion. Its unhealthy for everyone on this site.
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Saxonblue74 added 10:41 - Dec 17 If all the negative posters would care to actually read the article before their usual knee jerk reaction, this was relating to revenue received prior to May 7th. This is not some PR stunt!
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bluechelmsford9 added 14:36 - Dec 17 I don't post often but decided to against this article. The lack of comments just shows how we are too quick to find the negatives all of the time and criticise - I guess that's human nature. Praise where praise is due - well done Mr. Evans.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 15:34 - Dec 17 Well done Mr Evans
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Bluearmy_81 added 16:34 - Dec 17 Mr Evans... 🤢🤢🤢
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Saxonblue74 added 16:44 - Dec 17 "Blue action plan protest" = 85 comments. "Huws in team of the week" = 15 comments, most negative. "Evans 20k to NHS" = 10 comments, some negative. The poisonous vitriol knows no bounds on this site.
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istanblue added 17:56 - Dec 17 Looks like Evans has been taking lessons in PR from PR Paul. Bung a few quid to the fans/a worthy cause and the happy-clappers will clap. #PointsNotPints #EvansOut
2

dirtydingusmagee added 19:37 - Dec 17 what ever others views are on this , im saying ,decent gesture, respect .
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OwainG1992 added 05:54 - Dec 18 Very good gesture. Sorry but health trumps football.
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