Former Birmingham City owner David Sullivan has claimed he was close to buying Town in 2007 prior to Marcus Evans’s takeover.

Sullivan says Carson Yeung’s failure to complete his move for Birmingham City, which finally went through last week, scuppered the potential deal: “I was very close to buying Ipswich Town.

“I had a two-week window of opportunity but had to pull out because Yeung didn’t come up with the money and the rules prevent me from having financial interest in two clubs.”

Sullivan’s interest in a possible move for Town has long been known, although the club have always denied receiving a firm offer.

At the December 2007 EGM which saw Evans take control of Town, then-chief executive Derek Bowden said: “We said all along that if we received a formal offer from any would-be investor we would take it seriously.

“The fact is the only formal offer we received with a known individual was from Marcus. There was no offer received by the football club from David Sullivan.”

Meanwhile, former Blue Paul Mariner has resigned from his coach’s role at the New England Revolution to take the job of head coach at Plymouth Argyle, the club from whom he joined Town in 1976.

Photo: Action Images

StowTractorBoy added 12:18 - Oct 18 My biggest fear now is that Mr. Sullivan will go up the Road to Norwich. That Club now has far more appeal than us with 24,000 crowds and ground ownership etc. I don't know how they do it and it worries me that our marketing has gone awry since Mr. Sheepshanks left us. 19000 yesterday when Norwich get 24000 for Walsall - hats off to them.
0

SouperJim added 12:26 - Oct 18 I couldn't care less about David Sullivan or what gates Norwich get. 3rd tier hoofball, nuff said.
0

6fish added 12:43 - Oct 18 As soon as I heard about Yeung buying Birmingham my first thought was hmm, Marcus sells Ipswich to Sullivan? Lets face it Marcus hasn't got much out of it so far and if he wants to get out nows the time with a ready made buyer able to step in!
0

Back_The_Boss added 13:10 - Oct 18 At least he'd show his face!!
0

ShefTractor added 13:12 - Oct 18 3rd tier "hoofball" we could well be playing soon if we don't pull our fingers out. Evans has put too much money in to leave, he would be down millions. He and Roy will stick it out and the good times will come a rolling in the next few seasons.
0

jas0999 added 13:44 - Oct 18 Sullivan has more football knowledge than Evans - as it stands things have not worked out too well since Evan's takeover - I just wonder if a deal could still be done? Don't get me wrong - I am pleased that Evans has helped this club out financially - but does anyone else find it odd that we don't really know who the owner is or what he thinks? As for Clegg - I just wonder if his lack of football experience is a problem?

0

ITFC_james added 14:44 - Oct 18 is there any point in marcus evans, he's not a supporter, he didn't even show his face on that sunday vs newcastle, remember that day, when we all said bye to Sir Bobby. Wish sullivan had taken over
0

blue added 15:29 - Oct 18 KEENE out!
0

SouperJim added 15:47 - Oct 18 "blue" I would respect your opinion more if you could spell our manager's name.
0

bluetoba added 16:32 - Oct 18 Does anybody agree with me that our faceless (albeit generous) owner is somehow having an adverse effect on the scheme of things? Like some kind of subliminal handicap.Or am I just looking for a scapegoat?
0

FenboyBlue added 16:48 - Oct 18 I can sympathise with Sullivan as I too was going to buy Ipswich Town but my mate couldn't lend me the money either. Coulda woulda shoulda.
0

Lord_Lucan added 17:06 - Oct 18 ITFC_james You obviously know very little. M.E was at the Newcastle game
0

WeWereZombies added 17:35 - Oct 18 Whatever our feelings abour Marcus Evans, Simon Clegg and Roy Keane I think we can count ourselves lucky that we have, narrowly, escaped the pervy clutches of Sullivan.
0

bournemouthblue added 18:11 - Oct 18 however Sulivan's track record with Birmingham was pretty good They always seemed to secure the players they needed and have bounced back from relegation unlike most clubs Was our club owned by Evan's at the time he was interested?
0

blueforever added 18:22 - Oct 18 ShefTractor is the only one on here with any sense, i'm fed up of reading fickle football fans comments. Evens is our benefactor, Clegg is the face, Keane is the manager. Get used to it, the good times will come (eventually) given time! You all wanted Magilton out you reap what you sow! We will not go down and as for Norwich who really cares what happens there!! Come on you Blues and shut these fools mouths!

0

Mark added 18:30 - Oct 18 To be fair, Marcus Evans has invested in the club and backed both Jim Magilton and Roy Keane with funds the like of which we have not had since the Premier League days. He did himself credit over the Bobby Robson memorials and I have no problem with him as such. The appointment of Roy Keane now looks a big mistake, but at the time most of us thought he would do well. Certainly the pressure of success that Evan's millions have brought have not helped, but that is not his fault. The only disappointing thing is the decision to raise match day prices at a time when we need the stadium as full as possible.

0

tractorboyupnorth added 19:21 - Oct 18 I'd second that blueforever and ShefTractor, modern football has turned everyday fan into packs of wolves baying for blood the minute things aren't going their way. I love this club as I've said before and have done for 33 years so see the good times and the bad. We won't follow the budgie scum into the 1st div we have more class in the squad than they had all season. The signs are good, okay so it was a draw yesterday but we were easier the better team in the second half and as Keane say's we deserved the win - it will come those that are faithful know this support the club or keep your mouths shut - onwards and upards for Bad Boy Roy's Barmy Army!

0

blueforever added 19:48 - Oct 18 Thats fair comment mark, but the other problem i have is yes it may be expensive,yes we need as many supporters as possible but do they ever get behind the team or make any more noise no! The only time you hear these guys make any noise is when their on hear moaning, i'd rather hear them at PR not booing but giving ther all for the team! Does that ever happen?
0

WREXHAM_BLUE added 21:30 - Oct 18 Well said blueforever! It beggars belief that at a time when we should all be pulling together as a club, we're subjected to constant moaning - on here and at the matches (NB, I don't include everybody in that, just the obvious minority). Tommy Smith hits a misplaced long ball through to their keeper yesterday in the 1st half and gets barracked while Trotter gets the Gary Roberts treatment of ironic cheers when he's substituted - that'll do his confidence the world of good! Come on you BLUE boys!!

0

NSL added 23:13 - Oct 18 blueforever, stop moaning about people moaning. The fact is we are bottom of the league, the only team in the football league not to have won, the season is a write off already, the brand of football is the worst since any can remember. Do you really see Portman Road rocking any time soon? can you blame the supporters? I would be glad to see the back of Evans and his pathetic henchman Clegg. We were better off before the money and the current state of affairs is unacceptable.

0

slatsisatractorboy added 00:19 - Oct 19 town have been short of marketing since the marketing manager left, and it took a while to fill the role, so essentially we are 3 months down.. we'll get there!!
0

buryblue77 added 10:26 - Oct 19 There just seems to be so many fans on here who are happy with our current situation. I for one am not and would have gladly had Mr Sullivan here, at least he knows football, unlike our current leadership which is at this moment in time failing. They have appointed a manager with, let's just say, not exactly the best record in management. Clegg has been brought in as chief exec and he's not a football man and Evans never shows his face, it's not exactly working is it? If we get relegated at the end of the season are you lot who are clearly happy with this then going to start the complaining? Will be a bit late then guys!

0

TractorRoyNo1 added 13:25 - Oct 19 All lots of parts of the female body........ Give me ME anyday than some clown wearing a shirt, drying to be 'one of the lads'. kingkeano added 13:10 - Oct 18 At least he'd show his face!!
0

TractorRoyNo1 added 13:26 - Oct 19 If you're going to be silly, at least learn to spell his name correctly. blue added 15:29 - Oct 18 KEENE out!
0

TractorRoyNo1 added 13:30 - Oct 19 ahhh I think you will find that we now have a DIRECTOR of Marketing. slatsisatractorboy added 00:19 - Oct 19 town have been short of marketing since the marketing manager left, and it took a while to fill the role, so essentially we are 3 months down.. we'll get there!!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls