MYSTERIOUS Ipswich Town owner Marcus Evans has today broken his continued silence following an increasingly poor run of results.

And the multi-millionaire has voiced his impassioned support of under-fire manager Paul Jewell following a run of 11 defeats in 14 matches, insisting: “The reasons I appointed Paul are just as strong today as they were a year ago. I believe that, given time – and with my continued support – he will return the good times to Ipswich Town Football Club.”

Having met the Blues players for lunch at the club’s Playford Road training ground yesterday, Evans – who prefers to keep his face and thoughts out of the media – is expected to be at Portman Road this afternoon for the Championship visit of Blackpool.

And while he has confirmed that he will continue to stay out of the spotlight, the wealthy Blues owner has assured worried supporters that he has caught the football bug and will continue to invest heavily in the club.

Speaking in today’s Official Matchday Programme, Evans – who has already sacked Jim Magilton and Roy Keane during his four years in charge of the club – said: “I have a good relationship with Paul. We meet regularly and talk even more frequently. He’s a good man and a good manager and has proved that with what he has achieved in the game.

“I have seen how much it hurts him when we lose a game. It hurts me, it hurts (chief executive) Simon (Clegg), it hurts the supporters, it hurts the players, but it doesn’t hurt anyone more than it hurts the manager.

“There is no quick fix in football. I have spoken to Paul about my plans here; to build a team that can reach and then compete at the highest level.

“To achieve that we need stability and so long as our manager and coaching team demonstrate the knowledge and clear ability to take us forward, I see little point in restarting the project every season by switching managers.

“The reasons I appointed Paul are just as strong today as they were a year ago and I believe, given time – and with my continued support – he will return the good times to Ipswich Town Football Club.”

Asked if poor results had diminished his enthusiasm in any way, Evans added: Absolutely not. I am as determined as I was when I first became involved with the club – in fact even more so – to see Ipswich Town playing Premier League football.

“I said when I first became a `Blue’ that I was in this for the long term and nothing has changed.

“I will always look to support the manager in bringing a player to the club. That has always been the case and will remain so.”

– See today’s EADT and Evening Star for full match previews.