MARCUS Evans would have to pay Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton more than �250,000 in compensation if they sacked him this year.

Derek Davis

MARCUS Evans would have to pay Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton more than �250,000 in compensation if they sacked him this year.

Beleaguered Magilton has another 17 months to run on his current contract and even though his salary is based heavily on incentives, his basic is understood to be in the region of �200,000 a year.

Magilton was handed the new deal in December 2007, before the new owner took control of the club but with his knowledge, and is due to run until the summer of 2010.

Although Evans has not made his thoughts about the current situation known publically the club's owner has been keeping a close eye on events and is well aware of the growing discontent among Town supporters.

As a businessman whose stated aim is to make money from the Town deal, he will be well aware that season ticket sales are likely to be down, in part due to fans unhappy with the current manager.

Evans will also be acutely aware that even with 14 games left in the Championship, Town's chances of even making the play-offs are remote as poor form leaves the club stuck in 11th place and seven points off the top six.

Fans have expressed their displeasure and a protest calling for Magilton to be sacked has been organised for tomorrow night outside Portman Road before the game with Nottingham Forest.

Hundreds of Ipswich supporters responded to EADT editor and Town fan for more than 40 years, Terry Hunt's plea for Magilton to step down.

Letters and e-mails have streamed into the papers at Archant; comments have been left on the EADT and Green'Un websites, and the twice-weekly Derek Davis webchat was dominated by fans airing their views.

A poll asking if Magilton should stay attracted almost 1,000 votes on its own, with 77% calling for him to go while 23% want him to stay.

Ipswich finished 14th in his first season in charge, eighth last year, and after a �13m cash injection by Evans, Town are hovering in mid table today and gates have dwindled to below 20,000 this season.

Marcus Evans was unavailable for comment.