| Current model clubs… 23:28 - May 28 with 10255 views | hoppy |
Which clubs would be seen as the ones for us to aspire to now, for the approach they take and the opportunities and aims that are realistic? |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 16:51 - Jun 1 with 2199 views | Metal_Hacker |
| Current model clubs… on 12:48 - May 29 by NthQldITFC |
I'm never quite sure what to make of this pachyderm. He certainly seems to be getting more angry and/or bitter in his posts, but I'm still not quite convinced he's a budgie, even though the timing might suggest he is. He might just be a misanthrope, or anti-Ipswich for some other reason?
If he were to come out and state a Norwich affinity, he might even find he would be embraced on here, even though he seems to be at the opposite end of the spectrum to the lovely gentleman that is giant_stow, formerly Ullaa. |
I think it's quite funny really and sad at the same time
Can't help but feel he is missing something from his life
Perhaps the love of a good woman...or man |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 18:13 - Jun 1 with 2123 views | Churchman |
| Current model clubs… on 16:42 - Jun 1 by ElephantintheRoom |
I think ‘business model’ is part of the problem - football should be a competitive sport. So the problem lies with the way football has been hijacked by spivs, opportunists, gangsters and oil states - and is no longer a competitive sport.
When Sheepshanks destroyed the club I argued for a fan ownership type model à la Barcelona. At the time there were one or two wealthy individuals on the board who could have helped get that off the ground. The risible response to the ill-thought out share issue put the kibosh on that - and Sheepshanks was anxious to get his money back - so the club became what I çan only presume was a money-laundering vehicle. Now it’s a franchise - fronted by a couple of professional football parasites dusting down the model flogged to Bristol City. I
I don’t think you have to look too far for the way to run a local football club. Cambridge United and Luton have both effectively been saved from rogue ownership by fan ownership. Luton even managed to be a tad ethical and ignore the betting shilling on the way back
I don’t think the Cobbolds put any money in - quite the contrary they saw themselves as custodians of the club. I seem to remember the shares were sort of in a trust. to my mind some benevolent local businessmen made a far better ‘front of house’ than some owners who aren’t really the owners - let alone the gurning head honcho who looks and sounds like a comedy character.
Some people seem quite pleased with what the club has become - kind of depends when you became invested in the club I guess. I’m rooted in the 60s - the music was better then too. |
From the day shared gate receipts ended it was all down hill for competitiveness. Some would argue ending the maximum wage. Modern football is what it is. If you don’t like it, there’s always other sports.
The Cobbolds (related to the Duke of Devonshire, Harold McMillan - real old cap doffing nobility, despite John and Patrick not being like that) funded the club through WW2 when the owners refused competitive games on principle. The only club to do it. The Cobbolds did many great things but to describe them and the other rich men as ‘front of house’ is far fetched. These were shadowy figures known to their peers and employees. Despite the word custodian, it was basically their club. It’s how it was with many of them from Longston at Derby to Edwards at Man U.
Barcelona. Yeah, great business model. A real ideal to follow. Not.
https://www.ft.com/content/b24d333c-4d15-44f5-8b05-a21e8c15ade0
To use insulting words towards people involved with ITFC, words you wouldn’t use to their faces, is rude and says more about you than anything else.
Plenty of people following the club have done to since the 60s. Some earlier than that. Most people understand how things are. The good and the bad. It is what it is. Players, people, owners come and go. The club is actually its supporters. Perhaps you should look at the faces in the crowd on Town in 5. Many of them young. They are the football club. No them, no club.
Whatever the owners are, the numbers and interest is blossoming in 2023. I have enjoyed the last two seasons. I’ve enjoyed seeing happy faces, a ground that looks clean, plans, people that actually look like they are professional and care. I don’t want to meet them or know them - just want them to be better than what’s gone before. They can wear shiny suits, cheer too much, wear a dinky cap and beard. Not interested. Just enjoy the moment.
That you find misery and negatives in literally everything suggests that football isn’t your thing. I suggest you find another interest.
Oh, and the music was far better in the 1970s/1980s |  | | |
| Current model clubs… on 06:52 - Jun 2 with 2047 views | ElephantintheRoom |
| Current model clubs… on 18:13 - Jun 1 by Churchman |
From the day shared gate receipts ended it was all down hill for competitiveness. Some would argue ending the maximum wage. Modern football is what it is. If you don’t like it, there’s always other sports.
The Cobbolds (related to the Duke of Devonshire, Harold McMillan - real old cap doffing nobility, despite John and Patrick not being like that) funded the club through WW2 when the owners refused competitive games on principle. The only club to do it. The Cobbolds did many great things but to describe them and the other rich men as ‘front of house’ is far fetched. These were shadowy figures known to their peers and employees. Despite the word custodian, it was basically their club. It’s how it was with many of them from Longston at Derby to Edwards at Man U.
Barcelona. Yeah, great business model. A real ideal to follow. Not.
https://www.ft.com/content/b24d333c-4d15-44f5-8b05-a21e8c15ade0
To use insulting words towards people involved with ITFC, words you wouldn’t use to their faces, is rude and says more about you than anything else.
Plenty of people following the club have done to since the 60s. Some earlier than that. Most people understand how things are. The good and the bad. It is what it is. Players, people, owners come and go. The club is actually its supporters. Perhaps you should look at the faces in the crowd on Town in 5. Many of them young. They are the football club. No them, no club.
Whatever the owners are, the numbers and interest is blossoming in 2023. I have enjoyed the last two seasons. I’ve enjoyed seeing happy faces, a ground that looks clean, plans, people that actually look like they are professional and care. I don’t want to meet them or know them - just want them to be better than what’s gone before. They can wear shiny suits, cheer too much, wear a dinky cap and beard. Not interested. Just enjoy the moment.
That you find misery and negatives in literally everything suggests that football isn’t your thing. I suggest you find another interest.
Oh, and the music was far better in the 1970s/1980s |
Clearly people like buying success and being associated with a winning team - even if said team has nothing whatsoever to do with where it is based - and is staffed by a revolving door of here today, gone tomorrow strangers. Nobody is disputing that - just coming up with ideas as to what is a ‘model club’. Ie the two or three that are exceeding expectations at the current time.
I doubt i am the only one who finds what has happened to clubs like Ipswich a tad distasteful - and i know from personal experience that going to a genuine local football club like Cambridge or even Leiston can be a bit more interesting than following what Ipswich became. It is possible to like what something was, whilst treating its current state with a bit of well-merited derision…. Anyone who grew up with the Who and the Rolling Stones probably feels the same
Ipswich have been on a 15 + year decline since Sheepshanks/Evans made them a ‘model club’ of how not to run a football club - and have now turned a small corner at vast expense and changed identity. Is it more rewarding than Bolton saving themselves without selling their souls? Kieron Dyer didn’t think so and I tend to agree with him.
Odd that you think it’s not my interest = these pages are full of obsessives enthusing about signings, signings and more signings - and ranting with despair if the franchise drops points or doesn’t have a ‘20 goal a season striker’ after five games. It’s quite good comedy on a rainy day…as is your belief about music in the 70s and 80s - although I’ll grant you the prog rock was better then…. But hey most of them started in the 60s |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 07:52 - Jun 2 with 2033 views | cressi |
| Current model clubs… on 06:52 - Jun 2 by ElephantintheRoom |
Clearly people like buying success and being associated with a winning team - even if said team has nothing whatsoever to do with where it is based - and is staffed by a revolving door of here today, gone tomorrow strangers. Nobody is disputing that - just coming up with ideas as to what is a ‘model club’. Ie the two or three that are exceeding expectations at the current time.
I doubt i am the only one who finds what has happened to clubs like Ipswich a tad distasteful - and i know from personal experience that going to a genuine local football club like Cambridge or even Leiston can be a bit more interesting than following what Ipswich became. It is possible to like what something was, whilst treating its current state with a bit of well-merited derision…. Anyone who grew up with the Who and the Rolling Stones probably feels the same
Ipswich have been on a 15 + year decline since Sheepshanks/Evans made them a ‘model club’ of how not to run a football club - and have now turned a small corner at vast expense and changed identity. Is it more rewarding than Bolton saving themselves without selling their souls? Kieron Dyer didn’t think so and I tend to agree with him.
Odd that you think it’s not my interest = these pages are full of obsessives enthusing about signings, signings and more signings - and ranting with despair if the franchise drops points or doesn’t have a ‘20 goal a season striker’ after five games. It’s quite good comedy on a rainy day…as is your belief about music in the 70s and 80s - although I’ll grant you the prog rock was better then…. But hey most of them started in the 60s |
I'm sure Ashton and O'leary have a plan how they want the club to run short and long term so far with the investment on and off the pitch an the fans re- engaging I would say they have done quite a good job at the start of our journey. I also believe if they achieve what they have set out to do and possibly, achieve European football like Brighton have would they sell how much exposure would the club and people like Ed Sheeran get it would be a win win situation be like the bible only 20 good yrs followed by 20 crap years and another 20 good yrs. | | | |
| Current model clubs… on 08:41 - Jun 2 with 1999 views | Churchman |
| Current model clubs… on 06:52 - Jun 2 by ElephantintheRoom |
Clearly people like buying success and being associated with a winning team - even if said team has nothing whatsoever to do with where it is based - and is staffed by a revolving door of here today, gone tomorrow strangers. Nobody is disputing that - just coming up with ideas as to what is a ‘model club’. Ie the two or three that are exceeding expectations at the current time.
I doubt i am the only one who finds what has happened to clubs like Ipswich a tad distasteful - and i know from personal experience that going to a genuine local football club like Cambridge or even Leiston can be a bit more interesting than following what Ipswich became. It is possible to like what something was, whilst treating its current state with a bit of well-merited derision…. Anyone who grew up with the Who and the Rolling Stones probably feels the same
Ipswich have been on a 15 + year decline since Sheepshanks/Evans made them a ‘model club’ of how not to run a football club - and have now turned a small corner at vast expense and changed identity. Is it more rewarding than Bolton saving themselves without selling their souls? Kieron Dyer didn’t think so and I tend to agree with him.
Odd that you think it’s not my interest = these pages are full of obsessives enthusing about signings, signings and more signings - and ranting with despair if the franchise drops points or doesn’t have a ‘20 goal a season striker’ after five games. It’s quite good comedy on a rainy day…as is your belief about music in the 70s and 80s - although I’ll grant you the prog rock was better then…. But hey most of them started in the 60s |
I repeat, the club is its supporters and we are attracting them at the moment. Especially the young which is the future of ITFC
People come and go. GC20, Ashton, you name it will all be gone in 10 years time. The club will still be here. If they fold it another will replace it. That was the only glint of optimism I had during the Evans nightmare. The soul of the club is not the owners any more than the soul of Newcastle is the headchoppers.
Kieron Dyer? He was disgruntled with the Lambert shambles, Mick and where he thought youth development was going at the club. I’m not close enough to know but his reasoning and his decision making looked strange to me - but his choice and who am I to say?
What I can say is that for every Kieron there’s a Holland, Milton and others engaged with the club. Are they wrong? Was Holland’s face of joy in Town in 25 so wrong?
Ipswich decline goes back to Robson leaving, an ageing team and the debt the West stand left. I didn’t think a lot of John Kerr or the decision to appoint Ferguson then Duncan. Opportunities were missed in the early 90s in the PL and with Sheepshanks’ disaster - who was operating under the club structure model you very much support.
We are in 2023. There’s plenty I don’t like. The recovery of this football club from it heading to L2 under Evans is something to enjoy, even if you don’t like the owners. | | | |
| Current model clubs… on 08:50 - Jun 2 with 1987 views | ElephantintheRoom |
| Current model clubs… on 07:52 - Jun 2 by cressi |
I'm sure Ashton and O'leary have a plan how they want the club to run short and long term so far with the investment on and off the pitch an the fans re- engaging I would say they have done quite a good job at the start of our journey. I also believe if they achieve what they have set out to do and possibly, achieve European football like Brighton have would they sell how much exposure would the club and people like Ed Sheeran get it would be a win win situation be like the bible only 20 good yrs followed by 20 crap years and another 20 good yrs. |
You and they are chasing an illusion though - presumably driven by the mirage of limitless cash for all. Ashton and O’Leary are getting handsomely rewarded for peddling this dream. It matters not one jot to them if it becomes reality - which you and I (and they) know it cannot. There is no such thing as a sustainable ‘established Prem team’ for small Town clubs in the money doping era. There is only the mirage of a cash pile for short term gain - which seems to turn to ashes for everyone apart from players and their agents.
I tongue-in-cheek suggested Leicester as the model club to follow - ignore FFP, get promoted and win the league and FA Cup in five years before imploding. That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history.
However - the real role models are clubs like Luton , Cambridge - and, dare I say it Norwich who have bobbed along quite nicely since Town destroyed themselves - even though they seem to be in murky waters now. | |
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| Current model clubs… on 09:07 - Jun 2 with 1975 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| Current model clubs… on 08:50 - Jun 2 by ElephantintheRoom |
You and they are chasing an illusion though - presumably driven by the mirage of limitless cash for all. Ashton and O’Leary are getting handsomely rewarded for peddling this dream. It matters not one jot to them if it becomes reality - which you and I (and they) know it cannot. There is no such thing as a sustainable ‘established Prem team’ for small Town clubs in the money doping era. There is only the mirage of a cash pile for short term gain - which seems to turn to ashes for everyone apart from players and their agents.
I tongue-in-cheek suggested Leicester as the model club to follow - ignore FFP, get promoted and win the league and FA Cup in five years before imploding. That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history.
However - the real role models are clubs like Luton , Cambridge - and, dare I say it Norwich who have bobbed along quite nicely since Town destroyed themselves - even though they seem to be in murky waters now. |
"You and they are chasing an illusion though" - but at least we're chasing..
"There is no such thing as a sustainable ‘established Prem team’ for small Town clubs in the money doping era" - I think most ITFC fans know that.
"However - the real role models are clubs like Luton" - given the financial regularities that led to their drop down the divisions, I'm not too sure about that! |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 09:23 - Jun 2 with 1954 views | Churchman |
| Current model clubs… on 08:50 - Jun 2 by ElephantintheRoom |
You and they are chasing an illusion though - presumably driven by the mirage of limitless cash for all. Ashton and O’Leary are getting handsomely rewarded for peddling this dream. It matters not one jot to them if it becomes reality - which you and I (and they) know it cannot. There is no such thing as a sustainable ‘established Prem team’ for small Town clubs in the money doping era. There is only the mirage of a cash pile for short term gain - which seems to turn to ashes for everyone apart from players and their agents.
I tongue-in-cheek suggested Leicester as the model club to follow - ignore FFP, get promoted and win the league and FA Cup in five years before imploding. That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history.
However - the real role models are clubs like Luton , Cambridge - and, dare I say it Norwich who have bobbed along quite nicely since Town destroyed themselves - even though they seem to be in murky waters now. |
I have never suggested there was sustainability in the PL for clubs like Ipswich. Not the point. We can enjoy, dream, compete, chase, fight to be better. It’s about the now and tomorrow - hope. That’s no illusion. I’d rather chase and dream than live in a world of misery and yesterday - and I’m somebody lucky to have witnessed the Robson years and have a decent grasp of the club’s history.
ITFC is in a better place than 20 years ago and improving. What is the problem? You mention Cambridge. Great, but they’ll be relegated next year probably and have a ceiling on what they can do, just as we do. My Leeds supporting mate lives near in Bishops S and takes his lad to Cambridge. They just enjoy the game. No discussion on ownership models. Just the fun of football and competing.
Norwich are majority owned by Delia Smith and husband. To the person following the club, what difference is there to them if it’s owned by a cook with a love for cooking Sherry or a group of Americans? None, it’s about the team. Their relative success has nothing to do with our owners or current club.
Just try enjoying the good times. They’re rare unless you follow big clubs. [Post edited 2 Jun 2023 13:11]
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| Current model clubs… on 11:53 - Jun 2 with 1894 views | ElephantintheRoom |
| Current model clubs… on 09:23 - Jun 2 by Churchman |
I have never suggested there was sustainability in the PL for clubs like Ipswich. Not the point. We can enjoy, dream, compete, chase, fight to be better. It’s about the now and tomorrow - hope. That’s no illusion. I’d rather chase and dream than live in a world of misery and yesterday - and I’m somebody lucky to have witnessed the Robson years and have a decent grasp of the club’s history.
ITFC is in a better place than 20 years ago and improving. What is the problem? You mention Cambridge. Great, but they’ll be relegated next year probably and have a ceiling on what they can do, just as we do. My Leeds supporting mate lives near in Bishops S and takes his lad to Cambridge. They just enjoy the game. No discussion on ownership models. Just the fun of football and competing.
Norwich are majority owned by Delia Smith and husband. To the person following the club, what difference is there to them if it’s owned by a cook with a love for cooking Sherry or a group of Americans? None, it’s about the team. Their relative success has nothing to do with our owners or current club.
Just try enjoying the good times. They’re rare unless you follow big clubs. [Post edited 2 Jun 2023 13:11]
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ITFC is in a better place than 20 years ago? I think that’s the difference between our polarised viewpoints. Personally I think a cabal of Town-supporting incompetent Suffolk folk is infinitely preferable to some insincere Americans using a wad of cash from a public service pension fund managed by a bloke in Ohio to make a quick(ish) Buck. I think a football club should represent where it comes from - now the club is a franchise it could be anywhere. | |
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| Current model clubs… on 12:01 - Jun 2 with 1880 views | Keno |
| Current model clubs… on 11:53 - Jun 2 by ElephantintheRoom |
ITFC is in a better place than 20 years ago? I think that’s the difference between our polarised viewpoints. Personally I think a cabal of Town-supporting incompetent Suffolk folk is infinitely preferable to some insincere Americans using a wad of cash from a public service pension fund managed by a bloke in Ohio to make a quick(ish) Buck. I think a football club should represent where it comes from - now the club is a franchise it could be anywhere. |
Or you could argue that being owned by a public service group seeking to gain a long term return for the people they represent while looking to invest heavily in improving the community local to the club they own is better that a ticket tout with no real interest in the club and is happy to see it run into the ground because he either can't be bothered or cant afford to invest properly |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 12:34 - Jun 2 with 1859 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Current model clubs… on 12:13 - May 29 by cbower |
Hard to disagree. They play good football, have seemingly established themselves at a very competitive level. What we have to recognise is they are willing to sell some 'star' players when their stock is high and then reinvest the big money to maybe add 2 more quality buys. At some stage, we as Town fans may have to stomach the loss of one or two of our favourites too. |
If Janoi has to leave for £85M to Real, so be it. |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 13:02 - Jun 2 with 1817 views | Vic |
| Current model clubs… on 08:50 - Jun 2 by ElephantintheRoom |
You and they are chasing an illusion though - presumably driven by the mirage of limitless cash for all. Ashton and O’Leary are getting handsomely rewarded for peddling this dream. It matters not one jot to them if it becomes reality - which you and I (and they) know it cannot. There is no such thing as a sustainable ‘established Prem team’ for small Town clubs in the money doping era. There is only the mirage of a cash pile for short term gain - which seems to turn to ashes for everyone apart from players and their agents.
I tongue-in-cheek suggested Leicester as the model club to follow - ignore FFP, get promoted and win the league and FA Cup in five years before imploding. That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history.
However - the real role models are clubs like Luton , Cambridge - and, dare I say it Norwich who have bobbed along quite nicely since Town destroyed themselves - even though they seem to be in murky waters now. |
"I tongue-in-cheek suggested Leicester as the model club to follow - ignore FFP, get promoted and win the league and FA Cup in five years before imploding. That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history."
Care to back that statement up with a few facts?
Try these for size - qualifying for European football for about 10 years in succession, finishing runners up in the league 2x. They were FA cup semi finalists on 2 occasions and (from memory, 1/4 finalists 4 times.
Edit: Cambridge as a model club for Town? I can see where you're coming from - such a great record of success over many years I'm surprised others haven't looked more closely at them. Luton likewise really! Norwich - I can actually, very begrudgingly, give you them over the last 10-15 yrs.
But as other have said, todays role models are tomorrows strugglers. Success today is no guarantee of success tomorrow - managers, players and owners come and go, whoever you are and however big a club you are. Look at Man U after Fergie left.
The only thing for a club our size is to enjoy the ride while it last! [Post edited 2 Jun 2023 13:52]
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| Current model clubs… on 13:18 - Jun 2 with 1780 views | Asa |
| Current model clubs… on 16:51 - Jun 1 by Metal_Hacker |
I think it's quite funny really and sad at the same time
Can't help but feel he is missing something from his life
Perhaps the love of a good woman...or man |
Elephant acts like a Budgie, but has such decent knowledge of ITFC that they are either a Norwich fan that has lived in Ipswich all their life, an Ipswich fan that is the most pessimistic person who ever lived or a very, very committed comedy account.
It was interesting to note, for such a prolific and frequent poster, that they disappeared for pretty much an entire month around the period we were about to be promoted, got promoted and were recently promoted. That tells you everything.
Alas they are now back to criticise every aspect of the club, players, fan base and even historical achievements now. | | | |
| Current model clubs… on 13:18 - Jun 2 with 1772 views | bournemouthblue |
| Current model clubs… on 10:57 - May 29 by WestSussexBlue |
Bit meh though, Brighton and Brentford both club’s realistically could be pushing for European football and improving year on year. |
We'd take regular Prem mediocrity as a standard frankly but I do agree you have to aim higher than that and occasionally (ideally) have a season as Brighton have had alongside it
The challenge for Brighton now will be the Europa League scheduling, which often hampers Premier League performance, as we know full well ourselves |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 13:52 - Jun 2 with 1726 views | trncbluearmy |
| Current model clubs… on 13:18 - Jun 2 by Asa |
Elephant acts like a Budgie, but has such decent knowledge of ITFC that they are either a Norwich fan that has lived in Ipswich all their life, an Ipswich fan that is the most pessimistic person who ever lived or a very, very committed comedy account.
It was interesting to note, for such a prolific and frequent poster, that they disappeared for pretty much an entire month around the period we were about to be promoted, got promoted and were recently promoted. That tells you everything.
Alas they are now back to criticise every aspect of the club, players, fan base and even historical achievements now. |
At the time of the Blue Action Share Ownership Group I remember some weirdo going on about fan ownership,which he refers to in one of his sermons, vaugly amusing because at the time we were doing exactly that, by buying up shares to put pressure on the board.
Anyway he is a Town fan,not a very good one,living in the past, blames and hates everybody, unable to enjoy our current and future success.
Pretty harmless, but pushes it a bit with his personal attacks,for which he should be banned. [Post edited 2 Jun 2023 13:53]
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| Current model clubs… on 14:36 - Jun 2 with 1689 views | ElephantintheRoom |
| Current model clubs… on 13:02 - Jun 2 by Vic |
"I tongue-in-cheek suggested Leicester as the model club to follow - ignore FFP, get promoted and win the league and FA Cup in five years before imploding. That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history."
Care to back that statement up with a few facts?
Try these for size - qualifying for European football for about 10 years in succession, finishing runners up in the league 2x. They were FA cup semi finalists on 2 occasions and (from memory, 1/4 finalists 4 times.
Edit: Cambridge as a model club for Town? I can see where you're coming from - such a great record of success over many years I'm surprised others haven't looked more closely at them. Luton likewise really! Norwich - I can actually, very begrudgingly, give you them over the last 10-15 yrs.
But as other have said, todays role models are tomorrows strugglers. Success today is no guarantee of success tomorrow - managers, players and owners come and go, whoever you are and however big a club you are. Look at Man U after Fergie left.
The only thing for a club our size is to enjoy the ride while it last! [Post edited 2 Jun 2023 13:52]
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Clearly you don’t understand the concept of winning things. I suspect most franchise fans would be happy if Town won the league and FA Cup in a five year spell in the Prem. Five years is a good run for a makeweight club in the Prem - and as many ‘major’ domestic trophies as Town have won in their history.
Nor do you understand fan ownership as a club model after being ruined by dodgy ownership. If Cambridge splurged £10 million of some Phoenix fireman’s money more than they bring in each year they’d probably do a bit better. As it is they did quite well with the lowest operating budget in the division. | |
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| Current model clubs… on 14:51 - Jun 2 with 1669 views | Vegtablue |
| Current model clubs… on 16:42 - Jun 1 by ElephantintheRoom |
I think ‘business model’ is part of the problem - football should be a competitive sport. So the problem lies with the way football has been hijacked by spivs, opportunists, gangsters and oil states - and is no longer a competitive sport.
When Sheepshanks destroyed the club I argued for a fan ownership type model à la Barcelona. At the time there were one or two wealthy individuals on the board who could have helped get that off the ground. The risible response to the ill-thought out share issue put the kibosh on that - and Sheepshanks was anxious to get his money back - so the club became what I çan only presume was a money-laundering vehicle. Now it’s a franchise - fronted by a couple of professional football parasites dusting down the model flogged to Bristol City. I
I don’t think you have to look too far for the way to run a local football club. Cambridge United and Luton have both effectively been saved from rogue ownership by fan ownership. Luton even managed to be a tad ethical and ignore the betting shilling on the way back
I don’t think the Cobbolds put any money in - quite the contrary they saw themselves as custodians of the club. I seem to remember the shares were sort of in a trust. to my mind some benevolent local businessmen made a far better ‘front of house’ than some owners who aren’t really the owners - let alone the gurning head honcho who looks and sounds like a comedy character.
Some people seem quite pleased with what the club has become - kind of depends when you became invested in the club I guess. I’m rooted in the 60s - the music was better then too. |
What illuminating posts! Hell hath no fury like a senior citizen scorned? Your hope to gain a financial interest in the club evaporated and thus exited your support. Admiration subsequently travels from one club to another, the nomadic stakeholder whose interest lies in ownership structure rather than community, who wanders off when the boardroom no longer appeals. It's a rather amusing irony; you could well be the finest example of "franchise fan" this forum has. The elephant in the elephant's rearview mirror, perhaps. Risible reinterpretation of the club's history has followed of course, but it makes so much more sense when we are able to contextualize it: the slighted author and their self-validating narrative. | | | |
| Current model clubs… on 15:03 - Jun 2 with 1650 views | Churchman |
| Current model clubs… on 13:18 - Jun 2 by Asa |
Elephant acts like a Budgie, but has such decent knowledge of ITFC that they are either a Norwich fan that has lived in Ipswich all their life, an Ipswich fan that is the most pessimistic person who ever lived or a very, very committed comedy account.
It was interesting to note, for such a prolific and frequent poster, that they disappeared for pretty much an entire month around the period we were about to be promoted, got promoted and were recently promoted. That tells you everything.
Alas they are now back to criticise every aspect of the club, players, fan base and even historical achievements now. |
I’ve a good knowledge of Norwich City. Want to know about Duncan Forbes, Kevin Keelan or Graham Paddon? How about Colin Prophett’s debut in 1972 (I was there!!)? But a budgie I’m not. I just happen to have access to the internet and went to the odd game for a laugh when we were visiting my grandmother in the hole that is Yarmouth back in the 70s.
No, I didn’t burn the stand down, though the smell of rot and damp in it means that whoever did must have used a heck of a lot of petrol to get the flames going.
Appearing knowledgeable about something you are not interested in isn’t too difficult if you’re sad enough to want to do it. He’s either a budgie or somebody who enjoys unhappiness. | | | |
| Current model clubs… on 15:11 - Jun 2 with 1618 views | Metal_Hacker |
| Current model clubs… on 13:18 - Jun 2 by Asa |
Elephant acts like a Budgie, but has such decent knowledge of ITFC that they are either a Norwich fan that has lived in Ipswich all their life, an Ipswich fan that is the most pessimistic person who ever lived or a very, very committed comedy account.
It was interesting to note, for such a prolific and frequent poster, that they disappeared for pretty much an entire month around the period we were about to be promoted, got promoted and were recently promoted. That tells you everything.
Alas they are now back to criticise every aspect of the club, players, fan base and even historical achievements now. |
Personally I just get the impression his idea of "football" is quite archaic
Rightly or wrongly ...we are where we are and it isn't going to change
He needs to deal with it rather than moaning about it | |
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| Current model clubs… on 19:29 - Jun 2 with 1542 views | Vic |
| Current model clubs… on 14:36 - Jun 2 by ElephantintheRoom |
Clearly you don’t understand the concept of winning things. I suspect most franchise fans would be happy if Town won the league and FA Cup in a five year spell in the Prem. Five years is a good run for a makeweight club in the Prem - and as many ‘major’ domestic trophies as Town have won in their history.
Nor do you understand fan ownership as a club model after being ruined by dodgy ownership. If Cambridge splurged £10 million of some Phoenix fireman’s money more than they bring in each year they’d probably do a bit better. As it is they did quite well with the lowest operating budget in the division. |
Au contraire, you seem confused in your own discussions! Yo7 cited Cambridge as a good model, but now you talk about winning things! You can’t use Cambridge as a model if you want to win things.
You also talked, tongue in cheek about Leicester being a model club, mentioning that’s they had won the league and FA cup before imploding, before saying (and I quote) “That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history.” I’m simply pointing out that that is not the case - we achieved considerably more than that in the 70’s and 80’s. Maybe not 8n terms of silverware but terms of club achievement it is way more and for a longer period that Leicester have just done. | |
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| Current model clubs… on 20:05 - Jun 2 with 1520 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Current model clubs… on 19:29 - Jun 2 by Vic |
Au contraire, you seem confused in your own discussions! Yo7 cited Cambridge as a good model, but now you talk about winning things! You can’t use Cambridge as a model if you want to win things.
You also talked, tongue in cheek about Leicester being a model club, mentioning that’s they had won the league and FA cup before imploding, before saying (and I quote) “That is actually as much as Ipswich have achieved in domestic football in their entire history.” I’m simply pointing out that that is not the case - we achieved considerably more than that in the 70’s and 80’s. Maybe not 8n terms of silverware but terms of club achievement it is way more and for a longer period that Leicester have just done. |
His lauding of Cambridge is a bit odd. He states of Town that we are: "staffed by a revolving door of here today, gone tomorrow strangers". In contrast, he states that they are: "a genuine local football club".
A quick look through the Cambridge squad shows they are not local people playing for a local club but players signed from around the world including Scotland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, etc. They do have a local lad by the name of Jack Lankester born in Bury St Edmunds and brought through the academy ... at Ipswich!
Contrast that with Town and I am sure we fare better.
Paul Barry, the Cambridge owner is a businessman from New York (albeit with a lifelong love of Cambridge United). Didn't Brett Johnson say he had a love of Town from when he studied in England? The idea that we are better owned by someone like Marcus Evans who had more historic links with Ipswich than Gamechanger is just plain odd. If it is really about local involvement and ownership he needs to be stepping down to a very low level of football. Much lower than Cambridge's. |  |
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| Current model clubs… on 20:47 - Jun 2 with 1510 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Current model clubs… on 20:05 - Jun 2 by Nthsuffolkblue |
His lauding of Cambridge is a bit odd. He states of Town that we are: "staffed by a revolving door of here today, gone tomorrow strangers". In contrast, he states that they are: "a genuine local football club".
A quick look through the Cambridge squad shows they are not local people playing for a local club but players signed from around the world including Scotland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, etc. They do have a local lad by the name of Jack Lankester born in Bury St Edmunds and brought through the academy ... at Ipswich!
Contrast that with Town and I am sure we fare better.
Paul Barry, the Cambridge owner is a businessman from New York (albeit with a lifelong love of Cambridge United). Didn't Brett Johnson say he had a love of Town from when he studied in England? The idea that we are better owned by someone like Marcus Evans who had more historic links with Ipswich than Gamechanger is just plain odd. If it is really about local involvement and ownership he needs to be stepping down to a very low level of football. Much lower than Cambridge's. |
Ele has a romanticised view of the world that doesn't exist anymore. In a way, yes, it would be nice if all the players were local and the club was run by local people, but that's like 200 years in the past.
Harking back and moaning is pissing in the wind. Support a local pub team if that's your beef. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Current model clubs… on 20:52 - Jun 2 with 1504 views | Vic |
| Current model clubs… on 20:05 - Jun 2 by Nthsuffolkblue |
His lauding of Cambridge is a bit odd. He states of Town that we are: "staffed by a revolving door of here today, gone tomorrow strangers". In contrast, he states that they are: "a genuine local football club".
A quick look through the Cambridge squad shows they are not local people playing for a local club but players signed from around the world including Scotland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, etc. They do have a local lad by the name of Jack Lankester born in Bury St Edmunds and brought through the academy ... at Ipswich!
Contrast that with Town and I am sure we fare better.
Paul Barry, the Cambridge owner is a businessman from New York (albeit with a lifelong love of Cambridge United). Didn't Brett Johnson say he had a love of Town from when he studied in England? The idea that we are better owned by someone like Marcus Evans who had more historic links with Ipswich than Gamechanger is just plain odd. If it is really about local involvement and ownership he needs to be stepping down to a very low level of football. Much lower than Cambridge's. |
Well in fairness, he did mention Leiston!
I was eating dinner when I read that and nearly choked on my jersey royals. | |
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| Current model clubs… on 08:37 - Jun 4 with 1317 views | Bluespeed225 |
| Current model clubs… on 18:13 - Jun 1 by Churchman |
From the day shared gate receipts ended it was all down hill for competitiveness. Some would argue ending the maximum wage. Modern football is what it is. If you don’t like it, there’s always other sports.
The Cobbolds (related to the Duke of Devonshire, Harold McMillan - real old cap doffing nobility, despite John and Patrick not being like that) funded the club through WW2 when the owners refused competitive games on principle. The only club to do it. The Cobbolds did many great things but to describe them and the other rich men as ‘front of house’ is far fetched. These were shadowy figures known to their peers and employees. Despite the word custodian, it was basically their club. It’s how it was with many of them from Longston at Derby to Edwards at Man U.
Barcelona. Yeah, great business model. A real ideal to follow. Not.
https://www.ft.com/content/b24d333c-4d15-44f5-8b05-a21e8c15ade0
To use insulting words towards people involved with ITFC, words you wouldn’t use to their faces, is rude and says more about you than anything else.
Plenty of people following the club have done to since the 60s. Some earlier than that. Most people understand how things are. The good and the bad. It is what it is. Players, people, owners come and go. The club is actually its supporters. Perhaps you should look at the faces in the crowd on Town in 5. Many of them young. They are the football club. No them, no club.
Whatever the owners are, the numbers and interest is blossoming in 2023. I have enjoyed the last two seasons. I’ve enjoyed seeing happy faces, a ground that looks clean, plans, people that actually look like they are professional and care. I don’t want to meet them or know them - just want them to be better than what’s gone before. They can wear shiny suits, cheer too much, wear a dinky cap and beard. Not interested. Just enjoy the moment.
That you find misery and negatives in literally everything suggests that football isn’t your thing. I suggest you find another interest.
Oh, and the music was far better in the 1970s/1980s |
He's always been a source of amusement, but he is right about the music. | | | |
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