Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has issued a blistering attack on Town’s Marcus Evans and says he believes the club is facing a future in not just League One but in League Two.

Jordan, who was in charge of the Eagles from 2000 until they went into administration in 2010, was speaking on talkSPORT after an interview with Blues boss Paul Lambert (from 20 mins).

“Too little, too late,” Jordan said when asked about the impact Lambert has had at Portman Road since taking charge. “Listen, this is a football club that Marcus Evans, who I know, has had for some [time].

“I never understood why Marcus bought that football club because I don’t think he was hugely invested in it emotionally. I don’t understand what he’s done with it.

“I think there are two words for Ipswich Town fans: Mick McCarthy. I think they’ll now look back on perhaps some of their outlook and attitude towards the job Mick did with maybe a different disposition.

"Because I don’t think they need to prepare themselves for League One, if they don’t pull themselves together from ownership structure downwards, they won’t be looking forward to League One, they’ll be looking forward to League Two because I think this is a club in decline, and there’s no reason for it.

“And the stark reality in that part of the world must be the mirror opposite at Norwich. And that’s management appointments, and that’s owner engagement.

"I know Delia and her husband and the owners of Norwich very well and their investment and their involvement both emotional, physical, logistical and financial is unequivocal.”

"He added: “It’s not my job to tell Marcus Evans to do with his football club. Ultimately the way that a football club declines is normally from the top and then you make decisions and appointments and you allow things to get away from you, and sell players and assets are disposed of and managers are dispensed with and crowds are disillusioned.

“And now what you’ve got is an unsuccessful football club that quite frankly is a really good club and when David Sheepshanks was the chairman it had a really good youth development policy, was running in the right direction. Where the hell has this gone wrong?”

Photo: ITFC

midastouch added 10:25 - Apr 10 Like Evans or not (or like Jordan or not) I think Jordan might well have a valid point about Evans not being hugely invested in Ipswich emotionally. I think you could of definitely made that argument from the start as he saw us as an opportunity to buy a team in hope of seeing a big increase in our value after promotion. He is a businessman after all. Obviously we know that his speculation didn't work out as he and we hoped. However, I'd like to think he's become more emotionally connected to the club over time. It seems his sons are supporters of Ipswich so that's something. Hopefully they pressure him from within! There are rumours that Evans is a Chelsea fan but hopefully over time he has switched his allegiance or at least start to come round some way! But he wasn't raised as an Ipswich fan from an early age so there's never going to be quite the passion or connection like there is say for the Boro owner Gibson.

3

runningout added 11:13 - Apr 10 Simon Jordan worth listening to, but he's not a font of knowledge. Talksport good show too.
0

Toperz added 11:15 - Apr 10 I can't see anything he's said is wrong, Ipswich are in such a bad state its embarrassing, Marcus Evans couldn't even fill the ground to try and give us a twelfth man to stay up. He's done done nothing for Ipswich. EVANS OUT
2

nathitfc89 added 13:09 - Apr 10 the blokes a idiot, always has been and always will be.
0

whiskey added 13:34 - Apr 10 i hope blabbermouth is wrong but wouldn't be surprised. I have respected Evans' way of doing things from day one (spending a lot on big name managers who have been given at times silly money to spend (Keane) / sitting back and letting his managers (under)perform) but I've also thought we need someone with fb experience because clearly running a fb club is not like running an events and promo and whatever-else-it-is-he-does company. He has made a billion for himself over his career but what has happened to the soul of the club since his ownership? Evans out.

1

BlueBlood90 added 13:47 - Apr 10 What a clown. Look at the state he left Palace in and look at where they are now. How anyone like him could have such a cheek to have a pop about a football owner running a club I'll never know.
1

The_Great_Cornholio added 13:56 - Apr 10 Evans might be a nob but he's our nob. Do one Jordan, you perma-tanned moron.
-1

Carberry added 14:07 - Apr 10 Nice to know we've got some really considered comments on here. Jordan may not be liked or respected but he has run a football club so has a valid opinion unlike some people on here who are expressing an emotion based on no knowledge, just hunches. Evans has his reasons for owning the club - which we aren't party to because he doesn't engage with supporters. His is a very arms length relationship because, I would guess, he doesn't want to become embroiled in this kind of chat, far too much trouble for him and he would have to show some corporate social responsibility which I doubt he believes in.

3

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:27 - Apr 10 Gcon you are totally wrong , as is Jordan .
-1

micky_1560 added 14:52 - Apr 10 I don't care what Jordan has to say about owning a club, he ended up in administration, so is no shining example, except on how he failed. Evans runs the club as a businessman hoping to see his debt repaid someday, but not to spend HUGE along the way! Sheepshanks had the club at heart, along with Burley and actually produced a successful 5 year plan for the premier league instead of the ones we hear about now which change every 2 years! His downfall was that he completely backed the ITV money that was promised with their take over of the premier league rights and which only came about with SKY. He probably backed the success of the club too early, weary of the 2nd season syndrome, they spent big, not wisely. He increased the size of the stadium, thinking ticket sales would be much higher in the promised land of the premier league. And unfortunately instead of going from success to greater success, we were relegated and doomed financially.

0

EatonBlue added 15:30 - Apr 10 A friend of mind worked for Jordan at Palace and said that he was a prize c-unit.
0

runningout added 16:21 - Apr 10 can't believe we have so many sensitive types on here.. Embarrassing
1

Plums added 17:57 - Apr 10 Did he turn down your offer Simon?
0

Bert added 18:20 - Apr 10 A degree of truth in what Jordan has said but the Lambert/Evans partnership is, I believe, one that will flourish. Evans never got the return on his investment but if he was as disinterested as Jordan supposes why would he shell out £8m a year rather than sell and cut his losses ? Jordan clearly doesn't understand that MM played a huge part in poisoning the relationship between club and supporters. I was never anti MM but he had to go. Most of us now feel that we have our club back again and whilst League One status hurts, the future look bright.

0

warktheline added 18:34 - Apr 10 How pathetic, 'who's Jordan to cast opinions, because he blah blah blah'! Any fool can see what a destructive impact Evans has, and continues to , towards our club! Emotionally detached and clueless in matters of football, destructive indeed! In regards to McCarthy, again understand Jordan's stance, but like myself, thousands were willing to sacrifice Championship football to rid the club of atrocious 'football'! Again back peddle to play off season, who failed to follow up momentum McCarthy had generated on a shoestring ??? It's not rocket science, or is it to some!!!!

1

Toperz added 09:46 - Apr 11 When Evans took over he acquired 32m of debts, after relegation this year it will be well over 100m. Portman road used to rock now it echoes. Thanks Marcus
0

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 08:39 - Apr 12 Toperz. So your saying that the bloke who is criticized by many for lack of investment has put in over £60 million ???. Um .......
0

Toperz added 10:31 - Apr 12 I'm saying look 50 miles down the road, if you build the right infrastructure you go forward. Marcus Evans has destroyed Ipswich on and off the pitch
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls