FROM THE CHAIR

Supporters Club welcomes news of new investment 

The Ipswich Town Supporters Club has welcomed the breaking news of a major new investor for Ipswich Town FC. Liz Edwards has commented as follows:

"We hopes that this is the start of a bright new era for the club. Although there are still several hurdles to jump, we are optimistic that we do now see a conclusion to the uncertainty that has surrounded our club.
We are particularly pleased that existing shareholders are to be asked to remain involved, as we hold a strong belief that a community-based club is the right model for Ipswich. Of course existing shareholders have had their ownership diluted considerably, but the motivation of the vast, vast majority was not to profit, but to own a part of the club - a right that remains. The contribution of shareholders, as well as debenture holders, season-ticket holders and all other supporters, in saving Ipswich Town has been essential in enabling the board to find the right new investor to take the club forward.
In other clubs, new investment has not always led to the kind of success hoped for, but we believe that, with the continuity and experience provided by David Sheepshanks and his executive team, Ipswich Town is better placed that most to take advantage of this opportunity.
In such changed circumstances, we wish all the very best to Jim Magilton and his staff, and hope that inevitable rumours of new signings will not be allowed to upset the great progress and fantastic team spirit that he has achieved.
As a Supporters Club, we look forward to meeting Mr Evans (some of us have attended and , indeed, spoken at conferences run by his firm) and discussing how we can help to build Ipswich Town in the coming years.
In short, this seems a very "Ipswich Town" and proper way of resolving the club's financial difficulties and of providing us with a new future."

From The Chair - EON no longer to sponsor Town shirts

"The E.ON sponsorship - previously Powergen and TXU Energi - has been one of the longest and most successful in football.  We know how hard Andrew Goulborn and his team worked to make this sponsorship one of the most valuable outside the Premier League, and I have personally appreciated being able to work with E.ON';s representatives on plans for the remainder of this season. The E.ON deal, including the revolutionary "Save your Energy for the Blues campaign, has been studied in business schools as a great example of making business sponsorship work.   Town have tended to be sponsored by companies with a strong local connection - sadly, this is no longer the case with E.ON, but out of every setback comes an opportunity, and it would be great if, next season, our shirts bear the name of a company who retain local connections - the success of the regional economy suggests this might be achievable.  
 
From the fans' perspective,  we recognise that a new sponsor means a rebranding of replica shirts (etc), which breaks up the two-year shirt cycle.  Although many clubs, including most of those in the Premier League - where we hope to be next season ! - change their home and away kit each year, we will nonetheless be discussing a "fair pricing"  policy with ITFC through the medium of the Supporters Forum."

Contact Details:
Elizabeth Edwards, Chair, Ipswich Town Supporters Club
tel: 07968 876504
email: altpib@btinternet.com

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