IPSWICH Town fans today received the news they have been waiting for.Their beloved Blues have escaped the shackles imposed by severe financial restraints and are now in a position to become a force again in English football.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town fans today received the news they have been waiting for.

Their beloved Blues have escaped the shackles imposed by severe financial restraints and are now in a position to become a force again in English football.

Thanks to the investment of south coast-based Town follower Marcus Evans, the club are now entering a thrilling new era.

After five years of financial problems following relegation from the Premier League in 2002, the Portman Road-based Coca-Cola Championship club is now in a position to make rapid forward strides.

This news coupled with the favourable impression manager Jim Magilton is making on the field bodes well for the future.

Magilton's player budget will be increased and he will not be shopping at the local store any more. He might not be exactly purchasing at Harrod's but it will certainly be from up-market stores.

Players who the manager feels capable of giving his squad the strength to move up into the Premier League will be able to be seriously considered.

It has to be wonderful news for the loyal supporters of a club that has experienced mid-table mediocrity for the last two years and was in danger of losing the wherewithal to compete with the big boys.

Now Ipswich - with most of their financial woes sorted - can look ahead with confidence after months of delicate off-the-field negotiations.

It will not be a case of Premier League here we come, but what today's news has done is to give Magilton a realistic chance to achieve this goal.

On Halloween Day it is fitting that the Blues fans have been handed a significant treat - and a considerable boost with Sunday's derby against Norwich City coming up.