New Ipswich role for Sheepshanks

Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks will switch to a non-executive role at Portman Road in July.

Sheepshanks, who has been chairman since 1995, will still chair both the football club and plc boards.

He said: "This is a good time for me to assume a less active role at the club and it will allow me to give greater time to other business interests."

Majority shareholder Marcus Evans added: "Both David and I believe it is the right time to make this change."

"The most important thing is that we have some continuity in the club. David Sheepshanks represents that"
Liz Edwards, Ipswich Town Supporters Club

Sheepshanks joined Ipswich as a director in 1987 and assumed the role of chairman eight years later, guiding the club to the Premiership in 2000 at the end of a five-year plan announced when he took over the top job.

Ipswich's relegation in 2002 led to the club going into administration under Sheepshanks' stewardship. But he resisted calls to resign and stabilised finances, ultimately brokering the deal which led to businessman Marcus Evans buying 87.5% of the club in 2007.

Chair of the Ipswich Town Supporters Club, Liz Edwards, told BBC Radio Suffolk: "I think we all expected when Marcus Evans took over the football club there would be some changes in the way the club is run.

"For me the most important thing is that we have some continuity in the club. David Sheepshanks represents that and it sounds as if there will be that continuity from him in this new role."

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