Skip to main content

What went right at Ipswich

Under American ownership group Gamechanger 20, who bought out businessman Marcus Evans in April 2021, Ipswich’s transformation from languishing former UEFA Cup winners to ambitious achievers is complete.

Avoiding the play-offs has enabled the early launch of the latest phase of serious investment in the club’s infrastructure: the relaying and multi-million-pound modernisation of the pitch. Proper irrigation channels are being dug, undersoil heating laid, pop-up sprinklers installed and a hybrid pitch set to be grown over the summer months.

It is the latest investment by the new ownership, who bought out the unpopular Evans after 13 years of ownership in a deal worth around £40million ($50m).

The trio of American businessmen have experience in football with USL side Phoenix Rising, but the majority owners (90 per cent of shares) belong to a US investment firm called ORG, which manages pensions. The takeover saw Ipswich’s debts of around £100million effectively wiped and the group pledged further investment, including plans for the redevelopment of the changing rooms, canteen and the pitch at the training ground, requested by manager McKenna.

Portman Road has been spruced up and attendances have made it a fortress this season, with a combination of winning football and a re-engagement with the community bringing renewed connection between the fans and club. Over 29,000 were in the crowd for the promotion decider as a new generation experienced their first taste of success after consecutive League One finishes of 11th, 9th and 11th and no promotions since 1999-2000.

McKenna’s management style has produced intriguing coaching techniques, such as using former Manchester United goalkeeper Lee Grant to help coach the club’s attacking players, including top scorer Chaplin, and not troubling players with formation or system changes but tailoring instructions to their specific role.

McKenna’s ability to develop players was a key draw for the recruitment team when Ipswich were looking for Cook’s replacement, and their decision to hire the 35-year-old in his first managerial position has paid off handsomely.

Smart recruitment, smart manager, smart players.   Ipswich are back and it’s only the beginning.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wolves get raw deal from FFP

  I used to see a lifelong Wolves fan for lunch once a month.   He was approaching ninety, but still went to games.   Sadly he passed away the other week. As football finance guru Kieran Maguire has noted, Wolves continue to be constrained by financial fair play rules.  Radio 4 this morning described them as this year's 'crisis club' and the pessimists have certainly been piling in. Martin Samuel wrote sympathetically in the Sunday Times yesterday, saying that the Premier League drives talent away with regulatory red tape: 'Why could Al-Hilal sign Neves? Because Wolves needed the money. And why did Wolves need the money? Because the club had to comply with an artificial construct known as financial fair play. So Wolves are going skint, yes? No. There is no suggestion that Wolves are in financial trouble, only that they are failing to meet the rigours of FFP. Wolves’ owners appear to have the money to run the club, and invest in the club, and in fact came up with a pow
Post a Comment
Read more

Gold standard ground boosts Tottenham's income

The gold standard in European football grounds is the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in north London, a £1bn construction project completed in 2019. Its impact on the club’s finances has become increasingly clear as the effects of the pandemic have faded. Previously, the average fan would spend less than £2 inside the ground on a typical match day, but now that figure is about £16, thanks to new facilities including the longest bar in Europe and an on-site microbrewery. Capacity has gone up from 36,000 at the club’s previous home of White Hart Lane to 62,000.  The new stadium — built on land adjacent to White Hart Lane — has opened the door to a broad range of other events that have helped to push commercial income up from €117mn in 2018 to €215mn in 2022. Last year, Tottenham hosted US singer Beyoncé for five nights on her global Renaissance tour, two NFL matches, as well as rugby games and heavyweight boxing bouts.  Money brought in from football has gone up too. Match day income is
Post a Comment
Read more

Charlton takeover approved

The long awaited takeover of Charlton Athletic by SE7 Partners from Thomas Sandgaard has been approved:  https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/se7-partners-obtain-efl-approval-for-charlton-athletic-takeover/ Charlton have had unhappy experiences with owners for over a decade, so how this works out will remain to be seen.  There is certainly potential there, but will it be realised? This interview with Charlie Methven gives detail not available elsewhere:  https://thecharltondossier.com/charlie-methven-on-the-record/
Post a Comment
Read more