Pride of Anglia - Ipswich Town Football Club

COBBOLD Capt John 'Ivan' Murray

Chairman from 1936 to 1944

A former Eton school boy and Scots Guard, Captain 'Ivan' became president of the old amateur club in June 1935, having served in a similar role at the Suffolk County FA during the preceding two years.

Became first chairman of the newly formed Ipswich Town Football Club Ltd as the club embraced professionalism in May 1936.

It was a result of his drive and determination that, just two years after turning professional, the Town were elected to the Football League in 1938.

Sadly, having witnessed just one season of league football at Portman Road, before the outbreak of WWII, he was killed during a German bombing raid on London in June 1944.

COBBOLD Phillip Wyndham

Chairman from 1944 to 1945

Following the end of WWII Phillip Cobbold was instrumental in ensuring that Town were quickly back up to speed following the suspension of football during the war years. All this despite suffering a heart attack, and general poor health, prior to accepting the position of Chairman in 1944. Died just twelve months after his appointment at Christmas, 1945.

CHEVALLIER Peter Temple

Chairman from 1946 to 1948

Managing director at Fisons, Chevallier succeeded Phillip Cobbold as director of Ipswich Town Football Club in the early months of 1946. Chevallier had been awarded the DSO and MC during WWI. Stepped down as Chairman in November 1948 due to other commitments that prevented him from attending games on Saturdays.

COBBOLD Alistair Philip

Chairman from 1949 to 1957

As Chairman for eight years, between 1949 and 1957, oversaw the early days of the club's Football League career and the appointment of Alf Ramsey as manager in 1956.

COBBOLD John Cavendish

Chairman from 1957 to 1976

Became the youngest chairman in the country, in 1957, at 29 years of age. Mr John, as he was fondly known at the club and in English football circles, joined the board as a director in 1948 and would continue as chairman until 1976. He presided over arguably one of the most important eras in the club's history, as they established themselves in the top echelon's of the Football League. Hired Bobby Robson in 1969. Once told Robson when he entered the Boardroom: "Don't come in here talking about football. Let's have fun !" as the visiting clubs directors and management on that occasion were treated to one of the legendary post match "sessions" that were held come win or lose.

COBBOLD Patrick Mark

Chairman from 1976 to 1991

Joined the board in June 1964. Also a director of the Tolly Cobbold brewery he was second son of Captain 'Ivan' and became the fifth member of the Cobbold family to hold the position of Chairman when he succeeded his brother John in May 1976.

During his reign at the club's helm he enjoyed the success of Town's 1978 FA Cup and 1981 UEFA Cup victory's. As popular a figure as his brother John he possessed a very dry sense of humour and a laid-back attitude that made him a very popular member of the traveling Ipswich Town entourage both around the Football League and in Europe.

KERR John MBE

Chairman from 1991 to 1995

Became Chairman following Patrick Cobbolds decision to step down from the position in April 1991. Presided over Town's return to the top flight in 1992 and, over the next three years, with John Lyall and Mick McGiven in charge of team affairs, a period of the most turgid and negative football ever produced by a Town side. Culminating, inevitably, in the clubs worst ever season in 58 years of league football and relegation from the Premiership in 1995.

SHEEPSHANKS David R

Chairman from Summer 1995 to date

Took over as chairman just prior to the start of the 1995-96 season. A Portman Road regular since the sixties, the Eton educated Sheepshanks had joined the board of directors in 1987. As the first chairman to take a hands-on approach to the day-to-day running of the club (playing matters excepted) one of his first acts was to announce his "Five Year Plan".

This included, increased commercial emphasis, rebuilding the clubs youth system, better community relations and returning to the Premiership by the year 2000 with a solid financial footing. And "Bingo", in partnership with manager George Burley this was duly achieved with a Wembley Play-Off final win in May, 2000.

Suggestions from certain quarters that a fifth-place finish and European qualification in the 2000-01 season unrealistically raised expectations as to what the club could achieve were perhaps answered with relegation in 2002.

The Club went into administration between February and May 2003, entering into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) which ended in 2006. The search for new investment had begun during this period and in October 2007 he secured a £44 million investment from the Marcus Evans Group, a deal that concluded with the sale of the club in December 2007.

In January 2008, following the Marcus Evans takeover, Sheepshanks also became chairman of the new board, but stepped down from that position in May 2009.

Was Football League Chairman from 1997 to 1999, and has served the Football Association in various capacities.

WELLS Howard

December 1999 to July 2000

Wells became the club's first CEO, in December 1999, following a distinguished career in sports management and stadium re-development. The ex-Wycombe Wanderers netminder was also chief executive of the UK Sports Council between 1996 and 1998. Resigned his position, in July 2000 (after just over 200 days at Portman Road), to "fulfil other personal ambitions".

BOWDEN Derek

April 2002 to May 2009

A converted "ex-Tottenham supporter", Bowden became Town's second ever CEO when he was appointed by David Sheepshanks towards the end of the 2001-02 season. A former Saatchi & Saatchi executive, who ran offices for the advertising and marketing giant across Europe and the Middle East, was also the one time boss of Adam Crozier, the former FA Chief Executive.