Every now and again we receive news that places the importance we all put on football into perspective. The loss of someone we know is one such milestone which makes us stop, think and reflect.
Sadly over recent weeks we have lost two people involved with the Club. Gary Ablett was only with us for a matter of weeks before being diagnosed with non -Hodgkin's lymphoma. Over the following 18 months he bravely fought the terrible disease with dignity and resolution and I remained in regular contact with him through to the end. I was extremely grateful to Mick Mills, whom had worked with Gary at Birmingham City, for representing the Club at Gary's funeral.
More recently we learnt that Mark Northcott, a 41 year old steward in the Upper South Stand for the last 10 years, sadly passed away while on holiday in Finland. As well as being a steward at Portman Road, Mark was also a Special Constable with Suffolk Constabulary. At this difficult time our thoughts go out to the friends and family of both Gary and Mark.
On a happier note, I was delighted to welcome Town fan Richard Smith to the Directors' Box for our last home game against Blackpool. Richard was routing back to his base in the US having trekked to the South Pole where he became the first ever person to wear a Town shirt at the southern most point on the globe.
Obviously these programme notes are being written in advance of the closure of the transfer window, which shuts at 11pm tonight. It's been a busy period with little to show for our efforts to date, save for the signing of Ryan Stevenson from Hearts. We are excited about Ryan's potential, but recognise that the defence needs to be our top priority and this is where our focus has been in the last few weeks.
Finding central defenders which appeal to the manager within an acceptable cost range has been challenging, but I am hopeful of further signings before tonight's deadline.
For those who frequent the South Stand look out for the new Pie Factory and New York Jacks concessions as well as the new cask bar in Legends.
We welcome Sam Allardyce and his top of the Championship table West Ham to Portman Road tonight for what effectively a 'local derby'. How our seasons have taken a different direction since our 1-0 victory at the Boleyn Ground back in late September, but perhaps we can achieve the double over the Hammers.
