Prospective new Town majority shareholder Marcus Evans has written an open letter to fans of the club.
The reclusive Evans was responding to an open letter from Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover calling on him to introduce himself to Town supporters at Sunday's derby. Evans says in his letter:
I am writing to thank you for what has been one of the most spectacular and emphatic thank you letters I have ever had in my career! It was great to hear that the majority of people feel that the club will benefit from being in a stronger financial position going forward. I would particularly like to thank David Sheepshanks, the shareholders and the management for welcoming my interests and support.
Your letter has given me one difficulty to which I want to respond to directly and openly. I have a young family and, to date, my wife, kids and I have been able to enjoy a life of relative anonymity.
The reason I have never given an interview is that I have never sought the high profile that can come with business success. In writing to you, I want to explain to the fans that, whilst I fully appreciate their curiosity, I hope that they can understand my wish to allow my family to lead as normal a life as possible. I am buying into the club because I want it to succeed, not because I want to raise my own profile.
You very kindly suggested that I should come and receive a cheer from the crowd. I actually believe that the crowd should be cheering David, Jim and the players this Sunday. I believe that people go to matches to cheer the players in their team, not the owners! Certainly, when I come to matches that is what I do!
Sadly, and to avoid disappointing you on the day, I cannot be at the derby game this Sunday as I have to travel on business. You will appreciate my business is spread over 35 countries, which means spending a lot of time on aeroplanes. I can assure you that I shall be willing the team on to success just like all the other supporters.
Importantly, I fully appreciate what the club means to the town and the special relationship that exits between the team and the fans. I intend to do everything I can to support these very important relationships.
So, please accept my apologies. I am hoping that people will understand that I both wish the club the very best of good fortune and that they will come to understand my desire to be out of the limelight, and hopefully these two desires can be compatible. David Sheepshanks, our chairman, plays a great role as our club's ambassador and I see no need for this to change.
Finally, please appreciate that the deal still needs to be formally concluded. It would be presumptuous of me to take any applause until the whistle has blown!
Warmest regards and best wishes.
Marcus Evans