Ipswich Town fan Russell Claydon says the Evans era has been truly forgettable

Published on 20/12/2012 14:25

I remember the excitement which greeted Marcus Evans’ takeover of the club as if it was yesterday.

Being a reporter at the EADT back in 2007, we were breaking the news a mysterious British millionaire had rolled up to propel Town back into the land of milk and honey.

Like everyone else, we couldn’t wait to taste the excitement of having the Premier League back on our doorstep and ran a front page with a rainbow across the town and a pot of gold at the end.

But despite a near miss under Jim Magilton, here we are five years on with a small section holding aloft tickets to Villa Park as if they’re golden tickets to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. A glamour cup tie aside, we’re further away from feasting on the riches of the Premier League than ever.

But we have to hope Evans has finally got the manager to implement his lofty ambitions. I think he has, but he will need to back him with the investment the others initially got with five of the squad worryingly something borrowed and not completely blue.

Evans himself must recognise the relationship between the club and fans is something which has waned since 2007 and while I don’t disagree with the decision made of only taking 2,900 Villa tickets, as more were on a non-refund sale basis, the communication about this was again poorly handled.

On the pitch it’s a far cry from half a decade ago as survival in the Championship is the all-too familiar name of the game. And while losing 2-0 at Leeds wasn’t a disaster (at least we didn’t fold), it only heightens the need for a win against fellow strugglers Bristol City at Portman Road on Saturday.

It only leaves me to wish all regular readers a Merry Christmas and to keep the faith; who knows where we will be in another five years...

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Ipswich Town fan Russell Claydon says the Evans era has been truly forgettable

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