x

Town in ITV Protest - Ipswich Town News

Derek Bowden and David Rose will be Town's representatives at tomorrow's Football League protest against Carlton and Granada. The chief executive and club secretary will attend the demo outside the companies' offices with chairman David Sheepshanks currently on holiday in Corfu.

The demonstration is part of an ongoing Football League Save Our Clubs campaign against the broadcasters behind the collapsed ITV Digital.

Bowden, who began his job with Town last week, outlined the day's activities: "We are meeting
with accountants KPMG at 10am and it promises to be an interesting first meeting for myself.

"Then at 12.45pm the protestors leave the hotel in an open top bus and head for what is intended to be a very peaceful and polite demonstration."

It is hoped that action will continue for 12 days with fans from six clubs protesting on each day leading up to the beginning of the League's court case against Carlton and Granada on July 26th.

Fans are being encouraged to add their name to a petition on the Football League's website (http://www.football-league.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10794~231348,00.html) while MPs are being lobbied to support the League's stance.

Chairman Keith Harris outlined the League's position: "We remain appalled that two corporate giants like Carlton and Granada can be allowed to cause such catastrophic damage to our national sport in the selfish pursuit of their own interests."

"We have made numerous attempts to negotiate with Carlton and Granada, only to be rejected at each occasion.

"Our patience is now at an end and we will turn up on July 10th and wait, as a united body of chairmen, for Michael Green [Carlton chairman] and Charles Allen [Granada chairman] to have the common decency to acknowledge our case."

Reports today claim that Carlton and Granada could offer the League an over-the-odds price for their highlights show. The ITV companies are said to be about to offer £15 million a year for the highlights rights while the BBC are rumoured to have put on the table just £4 million per season.

Carlton and Granada could use that £60 million deal to persuade the Football League to drop their court action for £500 million.

What to read next:

U19s Draw Second Game at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s were beaten 3-2 by Slovan Bratislava in their second and final group game at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Town Continue Pre-Season at Aberdeen
Town face Scottish Premiership Aberdeen at Pittodrie in their second public friendly of the summer this evening (KO 7.30pm).
Town Women to Start WSL2 Season at Southampton
Ipswich Town Women will open their first ever second-tier season with a WSL2 away game at Southampton on Saturday 6th September (KO 2pm) with Nottingham Forest the first visitors to the JobServe Community Stadium, the Blues’ new home, the following weekend.
Morsy: The Best Spell of My Career and Life
Departing Town captain Sam Morsy has issued a message to fans, teammates, manager Kieran McKenna and his staff following confirmation of his move to Kuwait SC, while the squad and ex-players have paid their own tributes to the Egyptian international.
Town Confirm Morsy Exit For Kuwait SC
Town skipper Sam Morsy’s move to Kuwait SC has been confirmed.
Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.