Owner Marcus Evans has released a statement giving his view on some of the issues which have impacted the club since the start of the pandemic and the season up to now as Town prepare to welcome fans back to Portman Road in just over a week’s time.

I am looking forward to welcoming our supporters back to Portman Road against Portsmouth next weekend.

It’s nine months since we last enjoyed each other’s company against Coventry back in March. What a different world we are in compared to that spring day when none of us had any real idea as to what was coming just around the corner.

I know that all of us have much bigger issues currently to worry about than football, however I truly hope that a return to the debates (fractious or not) as well as the pleasure and pain of watching our team will bring some much needed distractions from the economic and health issues that surround us.

The team at ITFC from groundstaff to cleaners as well as players to coaches have been incredibly supportive in keeping the club afloat during these very hard times and like yourselves we have had to dig deep to get through what has often seemed like a never ending series of obstacles.

From the farce of the EFL/PL rescue package that has finally materialised to the stop/start of the fans’ return, the odds have been stacked firmly against clubs without the TV income safety net but now with supporters back, although initially in very small numbers and a vaccine around the corner, we can start to look forwards with some hope and optimism.

I am truly humbled by the support of our fanbase over this period with many supporting the club, and I know many others who would have done so if economically possible, with season ticket purchases despite the Government stadia restrictions. I thank all of you for this assistance which has been absolutely vital for the club’s finances.

We will be looking to get as many of you as possible into matches as quickly as we are safely able to do so.

I am also pleased to report that our ITFC Community Trust infrastructure continues to grow (even during Covid) in and around the local area. This is helping us build our relationships with businesses and charities as well as schools and we are currently working with more schools than ever.

On the football side it’s been very difficult to really get a feel for matches on iFollow and I look forward to fans getting back into Portman Road to see for themselves what I believe are the green shoots of a style that will reap its rewards in the years ahead.

After a strong start to the season we have stumbled a little over the last few weeks but that needs to be put into the context that we currently have an entire team of players who are potential starters on the injury list.

It’s not a coincidence that our early run was achieved with few injuries and as always seems to be the case; our sick list grew as we entered a run against what are expected to be some of the best teams in the league.

That said there is always a silver lining and on the plus side it has provided earlier than expected first-team game time for the next promising group of academy products whose performances have strengthened my resolve to ring fence the funds needed to keep our excellent academy running during these hard times.

A good percentage of the first-team squad are homegrown, which is great, but we also need external recruitment and the double whammy of Covid and the very late salary cap introduction made this harder than normal but we still brought in the additions we felt were needed.We also could have easily sold players during the transfer window but decided against it.

I am sure that the combination of the promising young homegrown players that we have - and of course they are still learning the game - combined with the players we have added to the squad plus the desire to hold on to our best players will over the course of the season - as injuries subside - put us in a strong position.

To get out of this league a lot of hard work will continue to have to be done with those younger players, as well as first-team regulars, by drilling our playing styles and patterns of play into everyone at the club as we look to improve both individually and collectively.

We are a big club in the division but that means nothing now with financial fair play rules basically putting everyone on the same footing. We will progress through skilful team management; academy development; financial stability and soon the much needed return of fans as our 12th man.

The manager, coaching staff, captain and players are all doing everything that I have asked of them in building a foundation for the future and as long as I see progress being made I will not be swayed into making the mistakes neatly summed up by the term ‘be careful what you wish for’ which caused our demise a couple of years ago.

I have a detailed view of all of the facts as to what is best for the club, both financially and team development-wise and I will use that unique and privileged access to make the decisions which I believe to be in the best long-term interests of Ipswich Town.

Everything I have seen close at hand, behind the scenes and on matchdays this season gives me confidence that, despite what is always a bumpy path, we are on the right track.

We have a tough but I hope enjoyable season ahead of us but it’s just not the same without you being here for the ups and downs and I look forward to seeing some of you - 2,000 at least - back at Portman Road next weekend. "

Photo: Matchday Images

grumpyoldman added 19:53 - Dec 3 I have read the statement and it does make sense what he is saying. What a lot of people don't seem to or want to understand is whatever you post on this site it is your opinion. Not everybody who supports the team thinks the way you do, I suppose the vast majority of supporters don't even bother with this site, so stating that the majority want change is not accurate, the group who place banners only represent themselves and a few likeminded people. The only way to effect what happens at the club is by not attending PR as a lot did when MM was there ending up with him leaving. So continue to coals your thoughts on here but do not think you are speaking for all and sundry with your views.

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Cloddyseedbed added 19:54 - Dec 3 Oh dear, I fear this statement from ME is going to have an adverse reaction as he has said from what he has seen he's confident we are on the right track. That is an incredible statement to come out with at the present time. I have been a supporter since the 60's and personally I can see the decline continuing with this attitude. I get it he's the owner and he can do and say what he likes but without fans the club is nothing, many will argue without Evans there is no club. If we carry on like we are we are not going to have a club or fans. We must change the "loosing is ok" mentality. Why can clubs that are not as well off as ours put out strong teams who are set up well and can compete and want to win more. I have watched all the games this year and I can not say the same for our club. Something has to change and change quick.

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BluedanW added 19:56 - Dec 3 Looking into the comments about season ticket holders, it looks like out payments are being taken as a charitable donation. It would be nice to be treated like investors or shareholders, however shareholders opinions normally get taken into consideration. Sadly our voices are never heard.
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cat added 19:56 - Dec 3 Ha ha comedy gold. There'll only be a few die hard fools who will fall for this bollox AGAIN. Whilst I'm appreciative for his financial support in keeping the club ‘ticking' over, we are going no where under him or that failure Lambert.
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pennblue added 19:57 - Dec 3 Some people need to get a grip. The Phil situation needs to be sorted out, the club has handled this badly, but we are still 5th in the table. This is going to take time, there is no silver bullet, and changing managers is not going to change that fact. Sometimes, you have to set out a strategy and see it through. We are not long into this play the youth strategy, we have to give it more time for those youngsters to get the appearances to build their experience, before we start to see the team peaking.

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Edmundo added 19:58 - Dec 3 Go now. Take your money. We'll take our chances... which are looking much improved with the salary cap as we really don't need a "sugar daddy" down here in the depths of the League.
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Elto added 19:58 - Dec 3 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
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dukey44 added 20:03 - Dec 3 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣And he owns us....
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muccletonjoe added 20:03 - Dec 3 For those who are still desperately trying to cling to the coat tails of Evans and his manager, by pointing out our league position and injury list, the first will be gone by christmas and the latter has been a constant facet of the past 7 years.
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hadleighboyblue added 20:23 - Dec 3 The " Skillful team management " just proves the club is being run by a group who are all in total denial . 92% of fans can't be wrong . The manager is dragging down this once proud club it's so obvious he has totally run out of ideas . Wake up MR Evans and act . I have never felt so bad about what is going on at ITFC . You conveniently don't mention the disgusting behaviour of the manager - he is representing you and the club and if you think he is doing a good job you are totally out of touch with how the fans see things

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TractorJed added 20:34 - Dec 3 In all reality what is the point anymore? Club is rotten. Match days offer absolutely zero enjoyment. My 11 year doesn't want out name in the ballot.
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herfie added 20:38 - Dec 3 Obviously produced by a ghost writer, whose day job is pure fiction. Still, at least ME has put his head above the parapet - if only to defect the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune! Inept and incompetent - albeit not deliberately so - and with zero real connection with supporters. But, critically, the man who ultimately controls our destiny. A heavy responsibility which doesn't sit well with him.

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madasbadgers added 20:39 - Dec 3 I seldom comment on here but this missive from our owner cannot pass without some form of answer about the absolute malaise the club is in. I currently remain a ST holder and pay by DD. I remember after the aborted return of fans a statement being made that the club would look at how to recompense supporters, this has subsequently been forgotten. ME is very fortunate that we - as fans - have no unified body to speak up for us. It is easy to ignore individuals on here bemoaning the mess the club is in. The ‘official' supporters club is ineffective and not fit for purpose. They do not represent me or my opinion. Until we act collectively he will not listen, this club isn't stagnating - that was 3 or 4 years ago. I defy any ITFC supporter to put a positive slant on where we find ourselves. It is not good enough and hasn't been for years, this guy is a charlatan and before anybody asks where we'd be without him ask yourself where we're going with him.

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Saxonblue74 added 20:43 - Dec 3 92% of fans Hadleighboyblue? Where does that come from? These articles are forming a pattern of comments, the angry and negative comments first, followed by the more considered. Not suggesting I fall firmly in either camp, I can take elements of both.
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wkj added 20:46 - Dec 3 More own goals from Ipswich. What a mess.
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Pencilpete added 20:46 - Dec 3 Im not going to lie, I get some of the things he says... yes injuries are a problem.... yes stability is important But if there is any way back for Paul Lambert at this club he needs to do a few things 1. Stop making enemies of the fans and the local press 2. Take some fcuking responsibility if we get beat its because they were better than us and you made mistakes in your team selection and tactics not because Stuart Watson wrote a damning piece in the East Anglian or because Phil Ham was in your press conference. 3. If we are crap - just admit it, fans would be far more understanding if we knew you were aware there were issues to address, when you come out and say everything is great, you're really happy and we dominated.... it makes you look a tw@t and we all lose respect for you .... anyone who hasn't been heavily sedated can see you're talking b0llocks and it just makes us angrier. 4. Stop defending the indefencable ..... Nolans sending off was stupid, Andre's red card equally stupid, ok refs dont help but they are grown men and as such know they cant react injuries can't be helped suspensions CAN

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Wickets added 20:50 - Dec 3 SHAME ON YOU EVANS !
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ringwoodblue added 20:52 - Dec 3 Owner is clueless Manager is deluded Team is underperforming Club is in continual decline but I will support Ipswich Town long after this current owner, manager and players have all left - that's what makes us fans different to them, why we have a right to express our opinion.
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BlueArrow added 20:58 - Dec 3 Can anyone remember what the 5 point plan was? Asking for a friend.
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Countryboyblue added 21:01 - Dec 3 Good for you Marcus, I for one appreciate everything you, PL and all the staff are doing. If we all stick together we will succeed.
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BlueBlood90 added 21:03 - Dec 3 “The manager, coaching staff, captain and players are all doing everything that I have asked of them in building a foundation for the future and as long as I see progress being made I will not be swayed into making the mistakes neatly summed up by the term ‘be careful what you wish for' which caused our demise a couple of years ago.” WOW! I must have missed that comment first time around. Is he serious? Funny enough I wish for far more than 11th place finishes and relegation form in the third tier. Clown!

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Northstandveteran added 21:07 - Dec 3 TractorJed. Why would anyone want to sit in 4 degrees Celsius, in the middle of a pandemic, for 3 hours to watch what is currently being produced? Let alone an 11 year old. I have tried a couple of times to take my, now teenage children over the years but it was nothing like I used to experience as a kid. Watching Ipswich at Portman road just hasn't been enjoyable for years. It used to be fun. If the current team were playing in my back garden I'd close the curtains.

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DoseOfReality added 21:08 - Dec 3 A juke to failure .. total boredom .. lies & deceit Sell up & p1ss off We would be better starting again aka AFC Wimbledon with heart, honesty & pride .. oh & best of all no £100 million debt to this failure of an owner.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 21:09 - Dec 3 Lambert out Evans out
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londontractorboy57 added 21:14 - Dec 3 Well he shouldnt of listened to the numbskulls that hounded Mick Out What did they actually wish for?
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