x

Bowden Transcript Online - Ipswich Town News

A transcript of Derek Bowden's question and answer session with fans last week is available on the Ipswich Town 1st website. The Trust organised the meeting which was open to members and non-members.

Bowden answered numerous questions from fans, the majority coming from the floor on the night of the meeting.

Unsurprisingly, much of the questioning centred around the club's finances. Bowden revealed that the media reported fees for the summer transfers were correct and that the club deliberately wouldn't disclose fees during the transfer window due to that information being commercially sensitive.

The Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) was also covered fairly extensively, the chief executive revealing that the club did a deal with builders Jacksons over their debt.

The construction company felt that they were not subject to the CVA as they were owed cash not by the Ipswich Town 'Club' company but by another part of ITFC, the 'Stadium' company.

Bowden explained the situation: "So far as the Jackson's debt is concerned, they were a creditor of the Stadium company and therefore not subject to the CVA. An accommodation has been made with Jacksons regarding the amount owed to them, but the details are confidential."

The chief executive also admitted that Town were wrong to describe their administration as 'temporary' or 'voluntary' in February when Deloitte and Touche were called in: "The club accepts that some of its initial statements regarding the administration suggested that the CVA was not a ‘full administration' and now recognises that any such statements were not correct."

Bowden also accepted that the club's PR had been lacking in recent times and promised that this will be rectified in future. He also conceded that errors were made back in the summer of 2001: "Three years ago, the decisions made did not appear to be mistakes.

"Investing £15m on new players to strengthen the squad after the successful first Premiership season did not appear to be wrong at the time, though hindsight has demonstrated that the wrong players were bought.

"So, yes, mistakes were made, but they were decisions made with the best of intentions but which turned out to be wrong."

Bowden answered questions at length, the full transcript available on the Trust's website: http://www.ipswichtownfirst.co.uk

What to read next:

Pert: Young Will Be a Real Asset
Assistant manager Martyn Pert believes new signing Ashley Young will be a “real asset” for the Blues in the season ahead, the former England international having made his first appearance in a Town shirt in last night’s 2-1 friendly victory over Charlton Athletic at Colchester’s JobServe Community Stadium.
Mazionis Completes Cheltenham Loan Move
Young Blues central defender Jacob Mazionis has completed his season-long loan switch to League Two Cheltenham Town.
Wrexham Closing in On Broadhead Signing
Town are understood to have accepted a fee from Wrexham for forward Nathan Broadhead.
Townsend: We Need to Get That Winning Feeling Back
Town full-back Conor Townsend believes it is important to get into the habit of winning again following the Blues’ 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Charlton Athletic.
U18s Beaten at Bury
Town's U18s were well-beaten 3-0 by Bury Town at Ram Meadow on Tuesday evening as the non-league side reclaimed the Martin Swallow Memorial Trophy, with two of their three goals coming via former Blues academy players.
Clarke Suffers Injury Blow, Wrexham Target Broadhead Rested
Town full-back Harry Clarke missed today’s friendly against Charlton at Colchester having picked up a leg injury in training, while a number of other players were rested, including Wrexham target Nathan Broadhead.
Town and Boro Agree Hackney Fee
Town and Middlesbrough have agreed a fee for midfielder Hayden Hackney, TWTD understands.
Ipswich Town 2-1 Charlton Athletic - Match Report
Jack Clarke and Ali Al-Hamadi were on target as the Blues beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 in their penultimate friendly of the summer at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium. Town were on top throughout with all the goals coming in the second half, while Ashley Young made his first appearance for the club as a sub alongside Omari Hutchinson, back after his England U21s heroics over the summer.
Ipswich Town 0-0 Charlton Athletic - Half-Time
Town’s friendly against Charlton Athletic at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium remains 0-0 at the break with the Blues having had first-half chances to go in front.
Wrexham Make £7m Approach For Broadhead
Newly promoted Wrexham are reported to have made a £7 million approach for Blues forward Nathan Broadhead.