Two Bids In For Tractors - 01/05/2007

As the football takeover boom continues, less successful and fashionable clubs are attracting attention, the latest being Suffolk side Ipswich Town. The Tractors are in talks with at least two interested parties, but the negotiations are at such a delicate stage that the Suffolk club is refusing to say who might be involved. It is understood that chairman David Sheepshanks and chief executive Derek Bowden have agreed in principle to sell the club, although talks are still at a relatively early stage. Town shareholders Michael Spencer and Holly Bellingham both hold almost 15 per cent of shares already and are in prime positions to make a move - either would be acceptable new owners to the existing board. Spencer, who jumped ten places to 88th in the recent Sunday Times rich list with an estimated wealth of £803m, is not a fan of the round ball game himself. However, he has two sons who are and visited Portman Road recently. The Tractors are in competition with half a dozen other Championship clubs who have held talks with the same potential investors as Ipswich have been dealing with.