Congratulations Ipswich Town

They spent some money in league 1 but finally fell on a good coach to get them going. They’ve done superbly this season. At the start of the season I said they’d be around 8th to 12th as they had the momentum with them. Clearly a bit more momentum.

 

The advantage Ipswich have is that their owner, the private equity arm of a US pension scheme has sunk a lot of cash in.

Under Marcus Evans ownership they were skint after he spent £100m propping up the club. They had debts of £91.5m which were written off as part of the takeover.

Ipswich’s financial strength is helped by gates but 10,000 extra season ticket holders only increases turnover by around £3m. The new owners have put in a further £43m.

For all the feel good about Ipswich they have losses of around £140m to get to the promised land of the premier league.

Last year they lost a headline £18m when they got promoted to the Championship.

but I’m not bitter…

 

All coming out woodwork when they're doing well... used to have crowds of 9 thousand

 

Wow, I don’t realise that! Makes Luton’s efforts last season look even more impressive!

 

Must be that bloke that's scored 53 goals for them in 3 seasons.

That we flogged.

 

How much will they make next season?

 

Well done to Keiffer Moore - Premier League striker, or another signing on fee incoming?

 

They built a championship squad in league 1 no fairytale they have spent the brass. It helps where your nearest rivals are 45 miles away god knows how many clubs there are within that distance to us. If you can't sell season tickets in that scenario you never will.

 

The Private equity owners have already unloaded 40% of the club for £105m so they have recovered all their investment and retain a 60% stake in a club now valued at £262m. So in broad term their return on investment is 215%.

The premier league status has resulted in the incremental value move, the likely operating profit next year will be 0 as they spend on enhancing the squad and wages. The owners have benefited from the capital value change not the annual operating profit.

 

Did you know the 3 teams that went up from the championship last season as up to now had more than 250 goals scored against them with the Blunts having an un president 100 must be a record, the supporters must be sick to there back teeth watching their sides getting hammered just about every game.

 

The gulf in class being the level at which they'll operate next year versus the level we'll be at.
We almost completed with Ipswich last year.
We almost completed with Derby this year.
The gulf next season will be massive.

Just saying.

 

Blokes had more clubs than tiger Woods.

 

Ipswich have played just 4 seasons outside the top two divisions since the 1950s. Their averages attendances for those 4 seasons have been 20k, 22k and 26k (plus a season during covid of no fans)

 

I got shot down for saying similar recently. Ridiculous that they lost £18m in getting promoted out of L1.

 

They might be shrewd in the top flight and not blown it all on wages.

Bottom line is they've made a fortune, far outweighing the recent debt.

 

Indeed they have but for every Ipswich there’s a Derby/ Sheff Wednesday. To be able to gamble with £100m upwards takes a large amount of capital and the ability to withstand substantial losses.

Marcus Evan’s lost the majority of his wealth funding Ipswich so not a great success story for him.

 

He was a Premier League striker anyway, on loan from Bournemouth.

 

Yep - always have respected Ipswich Town. A well run club, a professional outfit, it's hard to look at from where we are sat, but it's nice to see some good guys winning.

 

It’s a record in a 20 team premier league season. I think Swindon equalled it, but there are still games to go!

 

That's a previous owner, this success is down to their current owners. They've done a fantastic job, spent a bit and earned a fortune.