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Sheepy Announces Plan B - Ipswich Town News

Town chairman David Sheepshanks and manager George Burley appeared on a Radio Suffolk phone-in this evening where unsurprisingly Sheepshanks spent most of the time answering questions about the club's finances.

With Matt Holland joining Hermann Hreidarsson in turning down a move away from Town, increasingly attention has moved towards what the club's Plan B might be, given that Plan A (selling players) has not up to now worked out.

Sheepshanks outlined some of his board's ideas, but still hopes that there may be a transfer before the end of the window: "There is the possibility of another transfer next week, but even if there isn't we as a board have to consider Plan B and Plan C.

"Although that may involve other types of restructuring of debts and so forth, which although are more difficult, they are nevertheless feasible.

"So the message to supporters needs to be quite clear, if we don't make a transfer next week this club goes forth with strength. But financially we need to take action to live within our banking limits."

Much of the programme saw yesterday's statement reiterated and explained, however, there was an interesting revelation with regard to a non-representative share issue: "We are considering precisely that at the moment," the chairman announced.

"Norwich City brought theirs in the minute the season finished. We at the time were hopeful that we would be able to deal with our deficit through player transfers and that we would have more time to consider it.

"We are now working on it but can't give any more details. It will be something we will be bringing forward to shareholders in the next couple of months or so.

"But despite all the other things we can do player sales are the easiest way of raising significant money. "

Sheepshanks described the current period as "a very difficult time for the club" while George Burley welcomed Matt Holland's decision to stay: "The one player I've always said I wouldn't want to lose is Matt Holland.

"But in the Nationwide it is impossible to keep all your players and the club has to consider offers.

"Matt's decided he wants to stay which I think is great for everybody. But it doesn't solve the financial problems at the club."

Sheepshanks too welcomed the decision which now means that Plan B looks very likely to come into effect: "Matt will be staying which for many of us in most respects is great news.

"But at the end of the day we would not even have entertained the transfer, as painful and agonising a decision as that was, unless it had been considered financially necessary.

"Banks are not charities, they have very strict limits, and at the end of the day we have to abide by them if we can and that means the painful business of considering transfers.

"And I don't think any board of any club can consider in this day and age, unless they've got a major benefactor somewhere, redressing the balance in any other way other than with transfers."

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