A dozen doors away from me in the city there dwells an Ipswich supporter. I have had many conversations with him over the years but I can truly say I do not know his name and he probably doesn’t know mine.
That’s urban life for you I guess, but he’s a really nice bloke and loves his football.
On my way back from the newsagents last week he was applying the modern equivalent of creosote to his front fence. I thought I’d have a little gloat, but as his opening gambit was: ‘Well done. I’m surprised at what you achieved after such a slow start’, I just couldn’t go through with the one-upmanship, I really couldn’t.
What followed in our conversation was interesting and offers a degree of perspective.
I expressed the view that Paul Lambert extricated us from League One at the first available opportunity and surely he would achieve the same for them. The response was not exactly what I expected.
It appears that, at least according to my neighbour, that he and his fellow Blues consider Lambert to be a busted flush. He expects absolutely nothing positive to happen for them next season. At all.
He then went on to cite something – c’mon, it’s true – that we have both suffered from in recent times: a lack of investment.
I couldn’t get a word in edgeways (which anybody who has met me will know is most unusual) as he put all the blame on Marcus Evans with genuine conviction
‘He’s never in the ground. He doesn’t have any interest in football whatsoever and puts no money into the club’.
I briefly retorted that maybe Evans doesn’t want to walk into a potentially hostile, toxic atmosphere at Portman Road.
Then there was the predictable (and I must say not unexpected) comment that Evans has been seen at Ipswich matches less than a cuckoo in December and is simply using club ownership to suit himself and nobody else.
As I’m sure MFW readers can imagine, our conversation then veered into the realms of expletives on the subject, which I won’t repeat here. I swore a bit too as we discussed City’s not-too-distant dark days.
So for all my previous and well-documented criticism (sometimes justified, other times maybe not so) of Delia and Michael, they tick a couple of boxes that Marcus Evans ostensibly does not.
For good or ill, they have our wonderful club in their hearts. They rarely, if ever, miss a game, whether home or away, and are certainly interested in the football side of life. Although they pumped their own money in at the start of their tenure, they have apparently received it back and so they should.
I understand Ipswich receive the equivalent of zilch, nada and rien from Mr Evans.
While I wouldn’t like to hear a match commentary from either Delia or Michael, they clearly have nothing akin to Marcus Evans and my neighbour said I (and all of us) should be grateful for that.
And he’s right.
Around last Christmas time, said neighbour bought a basket case of a 1979 Reliant Robin van which he has painstakingly restored and obviously resprayed in custard yellow, so I can’t wait to see what he’s going to put on the rear side panels in terms of graphics.
I suggested ‘ITFC team coach’ while he laughed and said something about Mr Evans that is largely unrepeatable, but he did compare him to Del Boy with Lambert as Rodders.
We parted with me saying it was a possibility our respective teams could meet again in 2020-21.
His response was: ‘How can you lot end up in League Two?’
Less than four weeks to go now, folks.
Hi Martin
A good read.
Over the years had similar conversations with an in-law whose brother played for the Bluenoses (Eddie Spearritt) and in his opinion, while City could survive in the Championship they would never achieve anything in the Premiership and couldn’t find a good word to say about our foray into Europe, but he is also a Liverpool supporter at heart.
I was under the impression Ip5hite was up for sale and Evans was under investigation about ticket sales for either the Rio Olympics or World Cup
Like you, many times I have moaned about the lack of investment from the Smiths and at presents they have bags of goodwill from City supporters but how long will it last this time? We all respect the job they have done for the club and don’t want that ever to be forgotten but sooner than later they will need to hand over the reins. That is when the lack of investment will come back and take a big bite from the nether regions.
Crowing over the bluenoses is a pleasant past-time right now as they held the upper hand for so long.
Do I like where they are YES, Can they go any lower? Yes.
Will PL be a success? NO.
Who will next be manager? Steve Bruce, he will take on anything for the right money?
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
2
Interesting little tale, Martin, although your neighbour is being somewhat economical with the truth with regards to Evans.
To suggest that Evans hasn’t injected any monies into ITFC is simply wrong – where has the increase in personal loans come from? Certainly not the banks or the fans, but Evans himself. Over £60 million is nearer the mark, rather than zilch.
If he wants to argue that either a) it’s not been enough, or, b) it’s been badly invested, I might take his position more seriously.
5
Hi Gary
This was a “colour piece” from myself based on a genuine conversation.
As I understand it Evans puts in £5 million a year every year, so over, let’s say, 12 years, your £60million total is spot on.
But I didn’t want to tell my neighbour that – it would have spoiled my listening to a good rant.
He’s so disappointed and angry in equal measure I really didn’t want to provoke him.
I wouldn’t want to be run down by a Reliant van (when and if he finally gets it on the road:-)
A great comment and thank you.
4
Hi Alex
If my typing looks a little shaky it’s because I’m still recovering from the cricket. The most exciting end to a match I’ve seen since what everyone now calls “Botham’s Ashes”. A title a tad unfair to Bob Willis, methinks.
All I can say about the self-funding concept is that it seems to be going pretty well so far. I’m also sure that Tom Smith is, erm, giving advice of a very level-headed kind to his Aunt which has doubtlessly contributed to our recent success.
We always pick up pre-season injuries. Let’s just hope Ben Godfrey’s ankle isn’t too serious. And poor old Louis Thompson – he must have been born under a bad sign.
Thanks as ever.
0
I was at the Headilgly game all those tears ago a friend put £30 on an England win at 500/1 not being a gambler I shied sway he went home happy I went home glad that we had won but yesterday was another level get all the viewers on the edge of their seats.
Yes the annual pre season injuries strike again lets hope they are not long term.
Rhodes has started well scoring 1 and setting up 2 for Wed so I am told.
Srbeny on the score sheet for city so a draw not a bad result Farke must be fumming with the German sides idea of a friendly.
0
I think the issue here is that the oppo were much further into their pre-season than we are and treated the game accordingly.
I have no idea exactly why but pre-season always seems to cause us injury problems.
I’ve broken both ankles (not at the same time!) while playing and I can assure you it’s not an easy injury to come back from whatever level you play at.
Even if it’s “just” ligaments it’s agony and saps your confidence afterwards.
Nearly 40 years afterwards I have mild arthritis around both ankles as a result of the snaps. I cannot walk on any icy road or track as a result. I’m scared $shiteless to do so, tbh.
I sincerely hope Ben Godfrey is okay.
2
I did my ankle in a hole on Stanmore Deer Park doing a 10mile cross-country interservices race, didn’t break but hairline fracture and that was enough agony.
I agree with you I hope both players hsve minor injuries and recover asap for their own sakes.
0
Just wrote my usual length reply went to post received database error, straight hit back but post was gone.
I have been a staunch anti Stowmarket duo for many many season, like you Mr P some right, some wrong. But the bigger pisture is thank good ness we have owners who care. Can you imagine a Vincent Tan , changing the clubs colours, renaming the team and the ground. Eff that for a game of soldiers.
Cannot see Town going to L2, (live in hope) but nor can I see Lambert being the saviour neither, a blusted flush, like that , his days are over and that started when Culverhouse & Karsa left him. In my view they were the reason of his sucess here.
I am not too fussed about the Derbies, we have 38 games that will contain a similar atmosphere for the Yellow army to enjoy. Plus it adds another season to amount of years since they last beat us.
A causual friend, a town supporter, said he had -had enough of shelling out money on transport from Dereham to Ipswich ( Bus-Train) along with food & drink to watch the dross that was on offer.. I did suggest that he probably had spent more than Evans had, in watching his team.
He started his travels again towards the end of the season, convinced the club and players knew where they were heading, hoping the pressure was off and a more relaxed footballer played his game. Our paths have not crossed for me to find out.
If this one doesn’t post , have copyied it. Thanks Mr P have another coffee and on with my chores
0
Hi Lad
I have to say that if anybody, whoever they might be, attempted to change our colours there would be instant and effective mutiny.
Fletcher Christian would be outdone, and that right quick.
There is no way any one of us would stand for that and we would individually and collectively make our feelings known.
The Culverhouse-Karsa situation regarding Lambert always slightly confuses me in that we all know who Cully is but I had never heard of Karsa until he tipped up here.
Those times have passed, although I reckon Cully could probably do a job at a higher level than where he is now.
As for Dereham to Ipswich I simply could not and would not do it. I always walk to our home games from the edge of the City but once had to go from Mundesley. Mrs P couldn’t drive that day so it was bus, train, train again, no further bus available so a cab back from North Walsham.
Expensive and not really convenient.
But I hate to miss a home game:-)
Thanks as always.
1
Agree Gary, its well known that Marcus Evans puts in £6M per year to the Club. But just like many other successful businesspeople (such as Mike Ashley), they do not seem to show the same common sense and business acumen when it comes to their football interests.
1
Hi pab
You are spot on with your comment about common sense.
Supporters of all clubs very quickly work out if those at “the top” are genuine or not.
Thank you.
1
A good read Martin, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Unlike yourself, I don’t count any Ipswich fans amongst my circle of friends so my knowledge of that club is largely garnered from the east Anglian daily times which I occasionally browse.
Lamberts ‘performance’ since donning his blue club shop attire is either borderline bizarre or cynically genius, depending upon your point of view. His courting of their support, particularly with his tiresome baiting of Norwich City before during and after the latest Derby appears designed to prove to any doubters his Ipswich credentials.
His touchline antics, where he appeared to start a fight all by himself was certifiable. However it appeared to be well received by them down south.
In reality The standard that Ipswich have descended to is very poor, mostlycomprising of teams cobbled together with misfits and journeymen and unwanted rejects from bigger clubs. Even a manager as limited as Lambert, with whatever remnants of the championship squad he can retain should be able to drag them to promotion, although it may not be pretty.
Obviously in 12 months time they will be faced by the probability of another relegation season ahead.
At worst I see them as a top eight side next season, the biggest question being how can Lambert spin it in order to,maintain his employment as he grows less employable by the year.
1
Hi Chris
You can’t dictate who lives down the road from you!
Very “now and then” I look at the EADT too, but they are part of the Archant empire and don’t make things too hostile between “them and us”, which I think is pretty sensible.
I honestly believe Lambert is on a downward trajectory – but as Gary F quite rightly points out above, Marcus Evans does put a few bob in, while remaining a cold and distant figure.
Perhaps Evans didn’t expect them to sink this low, but we bounced back from that scenario under Lambert’s stewardship so maybe he can do it for them this time around. We’ll see.
Thanks for another great comment.
2
Hello Martin, very true!
With regard to Lamberts chances of revisiting his past glories he will have to do it without a squad containing Hoolahan, The Martins, Holt etc, without the prompting a of McNally and Bowkett and without the support of over 25,000 in the stands every single week.
Also Karsa and Culverhouse, who many believe we’re the driving force behind his ‘front of house’ duties wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole now Nd he will have to make do with Gill.
2
Breaking News
Oliveria fee agreed he is of to Greece for about £1m
Finally Hurrah
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
2
Best news I’ve heard in yonks.
Thanks Alex.
1
Read it on Vital Norwich a short while ago
0
Sheff Wed reporting talks are on going for a season loan again for Rhodes.
Bruce’s resigns to force a move to Newcastle so pleased he never managed city
1
I think at one point there was a rumour Dave Watson might return to manage us – many years ago now of course.
No return for Steve Bruce and like you I’m glad of it.
I will never forget THAT header against the Binners (one of the very rare mid-1980s games I got to see at the Carra). I’ll always love him for that and with Watson and Chris Woods he was fantastic for us in that era.
But the future dictates that he, Big Sam, Mark Hughes and many others are past their sell-bys.
Good luck to Newcastle is all I can say:-)
1
Stepping out of the fire comes to mind but he seems to like difficult owner
Jordan @CP
Gold @ Birmingham
Just to name 2 but he will have to work hard to get the supporters on his side they are tweeting all over not liking him walking out on Wed
0