Fans call for investment in Ipswich Town as owner Evans’ fortune stays the same

Ipswich Town owner Marcus Evans, East Anglia's fifth richest person according to the Sunday Times Rich List © Copyright Stephen Waller

The appearance of Ipswich Town owner Marcus Evans in the latest Sunday Times Rich List for East Anglia will reignite the debate over his levels of investment in the club.

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Evans features on the list in fifth with a £765m fortune – down one spot on last year, but with no increase or decrease in his wealth.

But as another disappointing season draws to a close in which the Blues are currently languishing in 16th, fans say they are baffled why more money has not been spent on the team by the owner.

And many are still unhappy at a rise in next season’s ticket prices.

Long-serving fan of 38 years Karl Fuller said: “Two years ago we stumbled into the play-offs – four of the top six this year finished in the bottom that year.

“The owners of those clubs have obviously looked at what needed doing and made the right tactical appointments, provided budgets.”

He suggested that even a £10million investment would be significant for the team, adding: “There have been some critical moments when we were top of the league and could have pushed on to make one or two more signings to see it through.

“If it takes £20m to get the club promoted and you take £100m [from increased revenues as a result of televised games for the Premier League] I don’t understand why you wouldn’t do it.”

Evans founded his self-named company in 1983, specialising in media, marketing and entertainment.

But it was in December 2007 when Evans inked a deal for the controlling share of Ipswich Town Football Club.

Robert Watts, compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, stressed that the wealth of a millionaire such as Marcus Evans was a value on all assets and not just readily accessible cash.

“Could he raise £765m tomorrow to spend on Ipswich Town? No, he would have to sell a business,” Mr Watts said.

“But the days when a football club was a liability have gone.

“It’s very much an investment and the value of the club is significantly higher than it was when he started.

“The direction has changed because of foreign buyers that will write big cheques for football clubs.

“Now it is something that can give them a big return.”

For the full Sunday Times East Anglia Rich List, see here.