x

Question Time - Ipswich Town News

Yesterday evening saw the South Stand's Galleria restaurant host Five Live's Any Sporting Questions. David Sheepshanks was among John Inverdale's guests along with swimmer Karen Pickering, former Essex cricketer Don Topley and Norwich striker Iwan Roberts.

Roberts received regular boos throughout the evening, but took it all in the best spirit. Even Don Topley took it upon himself to wind the Welshman up on a number of occasions.

Many contemporary issues were discussed, Sheepshanks declaring that the Phoenix League hasn't "a cat in hell's chance" of going ahead, although he says there should be some reform in order to reduce the gap between the Premiership clubs and the rest.

Don Topley talked at length about match-fixing in cricket and the alleged incident during his career where Essex and Lancashire fixed the results of two matches in order that one should win one title and the other, the other. Also on the subject of corruption in sport, Karen Pickering confessed to frustration when competing against swimmers she knew were, or had previously, taken performance enhancing drugs.

Iwan Roberts admitted that there was a lot of jealousy at Norwich for the acheivements that Town have made over the last few years. He added that it was important that Norwich didn't live in the past and keep harking back to their UEFA Cup run of nine years ago. David Sheepshanks said that there was a similar harking back at Portman Road when he took over as chairman in 1995.

Of Town's current situation David Sheepshanks said: "There is a saying, form is temporary, class is permanent."

He also backed George Burley as the best man to bring Town back should they get relegated, a statement the audience received with applause.

What to read next:

Youngster Nkansa-Dwamena Off to US
Blues U21s right-back Nick Nkansa-Dwamena is to start a college football scholarship at the University of Tulsa this summer.
New Robson Play at Eastern Angles
Eastern Angles is staging a reading of a new play, Bobby Robson Saved My Life, as part of its Play, Pizza & Pints platform on Wednesday 29th May at the Sir John Mills Theatre.
Ashton: Sheeran a Really Special Man
Town CEO Mark Ashton says club sponsor Ed Sheeran is a “really special man”, who “passionately cares about his local football club”.
Austria Trip and Fortuna at Portman Road in Pre-Season
Town will face sister club Fortuna Düsseldorf in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 27th July (KO 3pm) and as last year will hold a training camp in Austria ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Ashton: Recruitment Work Already Under Way
Town CEO Mark Ashton says he and manager Kieran McKenna have already begun work on recruiting for the Blues’ return to the Premier League.
Ashton: Over the Next Few Weeks Portman Road is Going to Be a Building Site
Town CEO Mark Ashton has revealed that around 750 season ticket holders will have to relocate their seats this summer due to the changes Portman Road will undergo ahead of the Blues return to the Premier League after 22 years away with safe standing, new camera positions, a new media area, a gantry, floodlights and a new Sky studio among the additions.
CEO Ashton Makes Good on Town Tattoo Promise
Town CEO Mark Ashton has made good on his promise to have the Town Suffolk Punch tattooed on his wrist should the Blues win promotion to the Premier League.
Town Trio Nominated For PFA Fans' Award
Town trio Sam Morsy, Leif Davis and Omari Hutchinson have been nominated for the PFA Championship Fans’ Player of the Year award.
Premier League Clubs to Vote on Scrapping VAR
Premier League clubs are set to vote on scrapping VAR this summer.
Life's a Pitch TV - Episode 42 - End-of-Season Awards
The inaugural Life’s a Pitch TV End-of-Season Awards, filmed in front of a live audience on Monday at Venue 16, is now available on YouTube and audio podcast platforms.