New Turnstile Blues Out on Saturday
Friday, 1st Dec 2017 10:17

The 16th issue of Town fanzine Turnstile Blues is out at Portman Road this Saturday. December 2017 marks the tenth anniversary of Marcus Evans's takeover of the club and much of the new issue of TB is about what has happened during that decade.

There's a detailed reflection on what it's been like to be a Town supporter during those 10 years, there's also a look at how things have changed on the pitch during that time and what this has meant for attendances at Portman Road.

There's a comparison between Marcus Evans and his forerunner David Sheepshanks and a look at how the Evans regime compares to other clubs.

In addition, there's an interview with BBC football reporter Robyn Cowen, who tells us what it's like to point a microphone at Mick McCarthy, and a look at how one woman's treatment by Leeds United is relevant to Ipswich.

There's also a look at how a football-themed fitness programme based at Colchester and Ipswich helped one Town fan get his shape and confidence back.

Turnstile Blues will be on sale from around 2pm priced £1 - look for the sellers around Sir Alf's statue. If you can't make it to the game, you can order copies online after Saturday, from the Turnstile Blues website.

Photo: Contributed

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Steve_M added 10:49 - Dec 1

This edition tries to take a look back at the history of the last ten years. The thread I started yesterday is only taster for my account of the last ten years on the pitch, a mixture of disappointment, a few highs and an overwhelming sense of frustration.

So, ten years ago this weekend since Evans took over the club by Steve_M 30 Nov 2017 12:17
We were just outside the play-offs at the time and I think it's fair to say we haven't looked back once. Well, nearly...

The money we spent in the first few years really should have given us a competitive advantage. Instead it was squandered, each new signing sinking to a level of mediocrity. I still maintain that it is only McCarthy's better spells in charge that have made the takeover look remotely successful.

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/11977/sheepshanks-a-massively-important-day

Some memories of that time, what would anyone else add?

Highpoints.
- Beating Norwich to all but relegate them;
- The League Cup semi-final run, the Arsenal home game in particular;
- 5-1 against West Ham, as unexpected as it was enjoyable and with some spectaculat excuse-making afterwards;
- Staying up in 2012-13m from where we were when MM was appointed that looked unlikely;
- Derby away with Edwards last-minute goal;
- Derby at home where they tried to kick us off the park (and Brighton the game before);
- Most of 2014-15 but especially November and December - Charlton away, Leeds, Boro, Brentford - but also Watford, Forest and the home play-off match;
- Millwall away this season, a crazy Roylesque game and a last minute winner.

Lowpoints
- Magilton buying every midfielder he could and throwing away so much of what was good about his team beforehand;
- The changed expectations of fans post-takeover;
- Taking 15 matches to record the first win of the season;
- Keane claiming he didn't need to dismantle the squad and then doing so;
- Lee Martin;
- The Newcastle home game;
- Both matches against Norwich in 2010-11, but mainly the home one;
- Southampton and Peterborough within a week;
- Playing Bowyer, Bullard and Andrews in midfield together;
- Jewell bringing in some midfielders on loan and then getting some more loanees to replace them;
- Paul Taylor;
- The interminable age it took for Jewell to fanally leave the club;
- Bullard running round the training ground with a bag of money;
- Chopra and his debt collectors;
- The complete failure to build on 14-15 that Summer;
- Most of last season, not in real danger of relegation but just Meh for most of it;
- The sense of apathy that now pervades amongst Town fans. We want to care - the reaction to Tuesday shows that - but it feels like we're so far behind those with money at the moment.

Edit: Chelsea away should be in there too, we were so utterly crap that I'm not sure how it was only seven goals.

Also included a look at the turnover of players in the last decade, a look back to David Sheepshanks time in charge, and a piece on the Man versus Fat which has been very successful.