Ipswich Town owner Marcus Evans has revealed his long-term strategy for the club on the eve of this teatime’s televised Championship opener against newly-relegated Fulham at Portman Road (5.15pm).

The multi-millionaire, now in the seventh year of his rollercoaster regime, has broken his silence to assure supporters about his commitment to the club and his stance on Financial Fair Play rules.

“My strategy to move the club forward is a simple one,” he says, in a column published in today’s official matchday programme.

“To where possible keep the core of our squad together and add a few, new faces each year (some from the academy and some from outside) to ensure a net gain season-upon-season in the quality of the team, with this strategy leading to promotion – and all the time doing so within a solid financial framework.

“The biggest positive for me over the close season was Mick (McCarthy) and Terry (Connor) signing new three-year deals. We can’t get anywhere in this league without continuity and a long-term plan. These new contracts have, and will, result in our current core squad extending their contracts and new players being attracted to a stable and successful environment.

“My support continues to be undiminished in pursuit of Premier League football.”

On Financial Fair Play, he adds: “This year will see the rules relating to FFP start to bite. Those who have breached the rules should see fines and transfer embargoes. These take effect in January 2015 and time will tell if the rules have the desired effect of stopping clubs throwing everything they can at promotion in one or two seasons. I for one fully support a plan which rewards clubs with sensible long-term plans.

“The system will, however, only work when the financial gap between non-parachute payment and parachute payment clubs is closed and at Ipswich we are working hard with the Football League and other like-minded clubs to influence ongoing discussions where we can.”

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