ITFC: Supporters tell Marcus Evans to act like a fan rather than a businessman
BLUES owner Marcus Evans needs to stop being a businessman and start acting like a fan – before the threat of relegation takes a firm grip.
That is the view of one fans group as the hunt for Paul Jewell’s successor begins in earnest.
Evans, who chooses to remain out of the media spotlight, bought Town in 2007.
It was reported the reclusive owner was in Barbados on Tuesday night while Ipswich plummeted to the Championship basement with a 2-1 home defeat to Derby County.
But Kyle Jennings, a committee member of the Spirit of 78 supporters’ club, insists Evans should shoulder the blame for Town’s torment – before they suffer the unthinkable fate of relegation into football’s third tier.
“The question is: has Marcus Evans bought Ipswich to run a football club or has he bought it to run a business?,” he said.
“He should come out and tell us what his intentions are.
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“He needs to learn more about the football club so that we can be successful together because relegation is a great possibility now.
“I have been a Town fan for 57 years and Ipswich are in my blood.
“I read the papers Saturday morning, find out about line-ups, talk to other fans in the town centre and get to the ground very excited – and then at 5pm wonder why I bothered with it all.
“But you can’t buy that passion, that emotion, that attachment – and Marcus Evans needs to understand that.
“He needs to develop a feeling for the club and until he starts showing that and taps into what we fans go through then we haven’t got a hope in hell.
“He needs to do that soon or we’ll suffer.
“So I blame him and chief executive Simon Clegg for our problems. It starts from the top and filters down to the players.”
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Edwards, chairman of the Ipswich Town Supporters’ Club, lamented the departure of Jewell.
She said: “I have desperately wanted Paul to succeed but clearly results this season and our current league position are unacceptable.
“It has been breaking my heart seeing defeat after defeat, missed chances and really bad goals conceded.
“Paul’s reaction after last Saturday’s game showed how much he was hurting and questioning whether he could turn it round.
“I think it is important now, given our position, for everyone, fans and media alike, to get behind Chris Hutchings and the team on Saturday and then the new manager once appointed.
“On behalf of the Supporters Club I would like to wish Paul all the best for the future.”
