Sheepy: No Need To Sell

By Aston
October 1 2005

Ipswich Town Chairman David Sheepshanks says there is no need for the club to sell any of its up and coming stars.

Reports last month suggested that West Ham were prepared to make a £1million bid for Town youngster Owen Garvan, but Mr Sheepshanks says there is no need to sell any one.

 

Mr Sheepshanks: “There is ample money to secure a loan or two, depending on the ability of that player, and Joe will judge the timing and the availability of the right player.

 

“There is still room to strengthen the team with loans and, if we do well from now until Christmas, there may be room for more than that. We may even be able to crystalise a permanent deal in January.

 

“We invest just under £1m each year in our Academy. The board could say we will cancel the money into the Academy and use it on a player now, do people want us to do that?

 

“The answer, of course, would be no, we have to balance the short term aspirations with the long term - the answer, of course, would be no.

 

“We are trying to manoeuvre into a position where we can develop the young players into first-team players - and that includes Owen Garvan.

 

“There are no plans to sell any current first-team player this season. Nor is there any need.

 

“We have to caveat that by saying, ultimately in our position as a club, you can never say never.

 

“But we have no intention of selling any of our best young players this season.

 

“We have had no bids for any of our young payers. We are aware of admirers but that is all we intend them to be.

 

“Of course, if a club comes in with a mega-million pound bid then the board has a duty to consider that but we do not anticipate that will be the case.

 

“So I reiterate - in normal circumstances no regular first-team player will be sold and that includes the cream of our youth.”

 

Source: EADT

 

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