Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Sheepshanks New Suffolk FA President
Wednesday, 25th Mar 2020 19:43

Former Town chairman David Sheepshanks has been named the new president of Suffolk FA.

Sheepshanks, chairman of the Blues between 1995 and 2009 and previously a board member from 1987, succeeds Gordon Blake, who died in November aged 88.

Suffolk FA chief executive Richard Neal initially approached Sheepshanks, who has previously held a variety of roles with the national FA, before he was formally elected by Suffolk FA’s council.

“It is an immense honour,” Sheepshanks said. “When Richard got in touch and asked if I would be open to the idea it didn’t take me more than a split second to say ‘Yes, I would be delighted’, but with one caveat and that is I am still quite time poor.

“I work on a portfolio of various different things, so it doesn’t leave me much spare time, so I have to manage expectations in that respect.

“I will devote whatever support and energy I can give to Suffolk FA, but this is an honorary role and not an executive role.

“I hope I can bring some presence to the role and that I can help and be in background for Phil [Lawler, Suffolk FA chair], Richard and all the team here.

“I am accessible and I think most people who know me will say that I am fairly approachable and if I think I can help or they think I can help I am always here.

“I am going to be quite limited in what I can do in practice, but I will try to attend meetings and the odd match when I can, but it will be quite limited so I just want to be clear about that and manage expectations in that respect.”

Regarding former president Blake, Sheepshanks, appointed a CBE in 2013 for services to football and local charity, added: “It was so sad to hear. I obviously met Gordon Blake early on in my career at Portman Road and had an immense respect for him.

“He was an extraordinary man in what he did for Suffolk sport, not only Suffolk FA but Suffolk tennis as well.

“He was a very humble man and a very committed and passionate man about Suffolk, so I have big shoes to fill.”

Suffolk FA chair Lawler said: “I am delighted to welcome David to Suffolk FA. David’s vast experience and knowledge at the highest levels of the game will be a huge asset and support to the county association.

“We all at Suffolk FA look forward to working with David as his time permits and thank him for accepting the nomination.”


Photo: Suffolk FA



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



midastouch added 20:15 - Mar 25
How about Simon Clegg for vice president?
1

Lathers added 23:07 - Mar 25
Looking a lot older now, but our days under him were golden in comparison to the current owners tenure. When I think of the Sheep's era in comparison to the mess under Evans it actually makes me very, very angry.
8

Bert added 07:04 - Mar 26
Good. Sheepshanks led from the front and understood the club and what it stood for. Yes he made a few mistakes and presided over our financial mess which led us into Administration but the man was and still is a true blue. We need someone of his calibre now to be the public face of the club, tell us straight how it is and restore trust. Evans is not a bad guy but a largely absent owner can't rally the troops.
8

tractorboybig added 08:37 - Mar 26
Well thats the suffolk FA f**ked and on the road to oblivion then
-16

slade1 added 10:18 - Mar 26
tractorboybig, are you for real? Grow up
2

tractorboybig added 11:27 - Mar 26
slade1 grow a brain sheepshanks and his cronies KILLED this club. evans is just prolonging the agony
-6

dirtydingusmagee added 11:50 - Mar 26
At least Sheepshanks was visible, he never hid away like the present non entity,
2

r2d2 added 12:48 - Mar 26
Tractorbigboy. It wasnt Sheepshanks who killed the club it was the downfall of the tv deal that did for us and other clubs. Id sooner have him here rather than the invisible man.
6

AlanG296 added 16:30 - Mar 26
Only fools thought that itv digital pay TV would be viable. And the FL signed up to a deal in which the itv companies had no liability to the FL if their subsidiary, itv digital, failed. Town making financial commitments on the back of that deal was sheer folly.
0

algarvefan added 18:43 - Mar 26
Well I for one really enjoyed the Burley Years, his and Sheepy's 5 year plan worked well. Yes mistakes were made with hindsight..............hands up those that have never made a mistake, but Sheepy loved our club and was good with the fans as was Burley.

I am deeply saddened to see our club now and fear if this virus runs a long time that we will be in deep trouble.
2

miltonmowbray added 08:50 - Mar 27
I remember watching town away at Arsenal the year we went down. (I think it may've been Darren Ambrose's debut, but happy to be corrected on that one). Anyway at half time Sheepshanks came into the away stand to shake the hand of every fan that had travelled and thank us for our support. Top man.
1

eddiespearitt03 added 13:15 - Mar 28
Sheepshanks was the visible club owner but that does not alter the fact the club sank under his control. He then walks away and his leaving present was to give us Marcus Evans.
0

hyperbrit added 17:38 - Mar 29
his delusions of grandeur coupled with his lack of financial prudence is responsible for Towns plight today
0

ipswichone added 12:07 - Apr 1
sheepshanks had everything Marcus Evans wasn't for Ipswich football club. passion for the club
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024