Town owner Marcus Evans has expressed his disappointment that the 2019/20 League One campaign has been brought to an early end and says the club will “be addressing the issue of compensation for the five home games” which were due to be played after the season was suspended on March 13th.

The Blues were one of the clubs which voted in favour of 2019/20 being played to its conclusion behind closed doors but “an overwhelming majority” of their fellow League One sides opted to end it now with placings, promotion and relegation decided on unweighted points per game.

“It has always been our desire to see the League One season finished on the pitch, as is now the case with the Championship,” Evans told the club site. “Obviously we are very disappointed that will now not be happening.

“Personally I think there were other safe alternatives to the way things have worked out, certainly with so many clubs in with a chance of finishing in the play-off places if the season had continued.

“A decision had to be made though and while we don’t agree with the outcome, we do fully understand that the cost of finishing the season for many clubs was prohibitive.

“It is a very difficult time for football clubs as it is for a lot of businesses. I’ve read stories that 30 clubs face going out of business and it’s distinctly possible that there will be casualties along the way.

“Perhaps this shock to the system will enable decisions to be reached to address the sustainability of club finances. If it’s not looked at now, when will it be looked at?"

Moving on to the five home matches which weren't played at the end of the season - in addition to the Bury game which also didn't take place due to the Shakers' expulsion from the EFL - Evans says season ticket holders will receive recompense which he hopes will suit both fans and the club.

“With our season now over, we will be addressing the issue of compensation for the five home games lost over the last two months of the campaign," he added.

“We are working through some options for fans which we believe will address both supporters and the club’s needs and will be in touch with season ticket holders over the next few weeks.

“We will also be investigating the financial implications we are now facing as a football club at the moment and await an EFL update on some financial matters outside of our control relating to League sponsor rebates due to matches not being played.

“We will also seek guidance from the EFL as to any recommendations and support relating to lost ticket revenues.

“On a brighter note, football will be back and we are seeing signs of life in other leagues and I look forward to seeing you all at Portman Road - hopefully not in the too distant future.”

Photo: TWTD

BeattiesBackPocket added 20:15 - Jun 9 Very I've been a season ticket holder for 30 years and go to at least 10 away a season. Just because someone doesn't have a buyer in kind doesn't mean Evans shouldn't know how we feel because people like you make him think he's doing ok! There should be protests he should damn well know how we feel about our club heading towards league two! You may be happy with BELOW mediocrity but I'm not! Not when our owner is the 6th richest outside the premier league

2

Umros added 21:15 - Jun 9 Can't wait, one thing for sure it will be an over complicated offer which involves no refund of monies! Certainly glad I opted out of renewal for time being. Complete mess. Haven't missed it either.
2

Scuzzer added 21:47 - Jun 9 So...is everybody ready to receive their discount voucher for next season. I for one will not be accepting that. I need the cash in hand buddy...for I for one will not be buying a season ticket for something that has no definition as yet.
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TheCurly added 22:23 - Jun 9 Poor response from Evans. The writing was on the wall that this was going to happen, the offer to season tickets holders for the missed 5 + 1 games should have been discussed and in place so he could announce it now. There continues to be poor PR coming out of Portman Road with regards to cancelled events etc, once the goodwill goes it will take a heck of a lot of hard work to win it back. I suspect the offer will the odd free ticket to unattractive games that no one wants to go to and various discounts with caveats attached, that won't actually cost the club very much. Once again the fans will be expected to bail out the club while overpaid and under performing players have been sitting at home on full pay.

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Michael101 added 22:33 - Jun 9 Evans says look forward to seeing you at Portman road soon.. The way you have ruined the club NO WAY PEDRO.
5

prebbs007 added 22:59 - Jun 9 LondonTractor , so I'm a melt eh ? How's ur down marks for that comment ??? If you read my post correctly you will see I never mentioned tax REBATE. I wrote about tax liabilities you mong. Evans is a clever businessman/ crook. He has no problem using ITFC to offset his huge profits and n Marcus Evans plc. His wealth has gone from £390m to £750m since he bought the club yet our debt to him has gone from £32m to £95m. So while we have fallen to our worst league position since for 67 years he has made a fortune. So don't tell me I'm a melt when you bury your head in the sand and pretend everything is all ok. The man has ruined our club and rose tinted glasses wearing idiots continue to support him.

2

madasbadgers added 09:39 - Jun 10 I seldom post but having read the above was angered enough to put my addled thoughts in writing. I've followed ITFC for over 50 years now, seen them play at over 100 grounds, rejoiced in our successes etc. I hate to say it but I think I've now had enough, the statement about ST refunds that meet the supporters and the club's needs did it for me. All you do is offer a full refund or 100% offset against 6 games next season ( I include Bury game). What other business - that couldn't provide a service - would not do this. Whilst in isolation a relatively minor point, I've watched this man destroy our club on and off the pitch. He was never our saviour, we were purchased as a business opportunity that has backfired. We - as he says - will be waiting a few weeks before letters are sent to supporters about the proposals, why wasn't this considered prior to today. It's a binary decision.refund or offset, I suppose a few more weeks interest on the money won't hurt the club !!! I hate to say it - I include myself in this - ITFC supporters are too soft, remember SBR's zombie comment, whilst said partly in jest has more than a grain of truth in it. For those of you content to plough money into a diminishing product and an uninterested owner I wish you luck. With the heaviest of hearts I cannot do it anymore.

3

brittaniaman added 10:08 - Jun 10 The way the club is cooking up our compensation package, it is looking very much that there will be no full cash refund ??? (ryanair style) just vouchers and tickets for games nobody will want !! bin job I call it. 5 games plus Bury expulsion amounts to quite a lot of money??
2

uefa1981 added 10:58 - Jun 10 "Evans says season ticket holders will receive recompense which he hopes will suit both fans and the club." I'm afraid after paying over £550 for a season ticket (in League 1!!!), plus travelling to numerous away games with Lincoln and Wimbledon being the poorest, the only thing i want right now is my money back for the games missed. Evans is worth £800m so let's clear the debt to fans first and then move onto 20/21 season tickets when we know we can even attend.

3

TractorRob added 11:31 - Jun 10 We season ticket holders are also due compensation for the missing Bury game.
0

Bert added 11:53 - Jun 10 Our erstwhile stay away northern ‘supporter' as usual resorts to insults and I'm sorry to say a degree of ignorance. Forums like this that have less than 1% of attending supporters do not bring down owners or managers. I would dearly love Evans to sell to a huge investing owner but it isn't going to happen. For now I will support my club home and sometimes away but that does not mean I don't have considerable doubts about our future under Evans.

0

itfc58 added 16:23 - Jun 10 As season ticket holders we should be offered a full refund for the 6 games missed this season, irrespective of whether we renewed or not for next season. ME isn't hard up for a bob or two so just pay up. Direct debits are already being taken for next season even though nobody has a clue when we'll be allowed back in. Its time that the club started looking after some of the long time season ticket holders instead of taking us for granted, anything short of a full refund or compensation of the same value towards next seasons ticket is unacceptable

0

Cheshire_Blue added 17:27 - Jun 10 Too many moaners and shi*# supporters as witnessed on here. At least there are a few who can see the wood from the trees As I said when MM left 'time will tell'. It certainly has !
-2

Bluearmy_81 added 19:02 - Jun 10 Cheshire, your a pretty s hit fan if you don't moan imo. Any other clubs fans would and rightly so, if you're passionate and fanatical you demand better, it's allowed! Why have town fans got this unwritten rule you can't criticise or turn on the owner?! It's embarrassing
2

ITFCsince73 added 20:57 - Jun 10 Madasbadgers. That is a great post. Sad to read. But an honest summary of our off field circus administration and ownership over time.
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ITFCsince73 added 21:04 - Jun 10 The demonstrations are coming for Evans, in a Suffolk kinda way 81. Probably not until we drop into L2, but they are coming.
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ITFCsince73 added 21:16 - Jun 10 Bert. Please share where you get that figure from....I can name many posters who attend games.
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londontractorboy57 added 09:10 - Jun 11 Prebbs you insinuate he his claiming tax back from his other companies via the losses at ITFC My opinion is that it would be a long while until his other companies make a profit and he is still subsidising ITFC running cost 100% with no income. Be careful what you wish for.
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Bert added 10:25 - Jun 11 ITFCsince73 more than happy to oblige. As there are on average less than 100 posts per topic that is certainly less than 1% of the average attendance. Many of those make multiple posts. As to mentioning those who don't actually attend home games but express their opinion so fanatically, they have said they don't attend. It doesn't mean such posters should not express their opinion but when they do so in such offensive terms their opinion has little value. Will demonstrations emerge next year ? They will if our slide continues.

1

Facefacts added 12:18 - Jun 16 No one commented on this part of Marcus Evans' statement.. "Perhaps this shock to the system will enable decisions to be reached to address the sustainability of club finances. If it's not looked at now, when will it be looked at?" It's not really a case of when will it be looked at. It's already being looked at now, following the confirmation of the end of the playing season for League One and League Two. Are League One and League Two going to exist in their current form and begin another football season? Without normal capacity crowds, or a generous benefactor, many clubs are going to have to rethink their future strategy and even their future existence. Lot of players unable to get a contract and having to find another job. Where will all this leave Ipswich Town? If League One does not restart, I suppose we will be among the clubs cut loose from the EFL, and will have to get together with the surviving clubs to form a mini league and beg for promotion for the top 1 or 2 to go up to the Championship.

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