Ipswich approach was a hoax

Victim of a hoax
By Paul Holmes
October 14 2002

Ipswich's 'approach' for Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore appears to have been a hoax.

Moore emerged as the hot favourite to take the hot seat at Portman Road after George Burley's sacking last week.

An approach was made to talk to Moore, which was thought to be from Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks. Rotherham refused permission but Moore declared that he wanted to join The Tractor Boys.

Sheepshanks then revealed that he never made any approach leaving Moore confused.

"Ipswich have denied they approached us, so I don't know what the hell's going on," Moore said.

"I don't know what I'm doing.

"Friday's phone call was taken by our chief executive. A phone number was left - and as far as we were aware, it was the Ipswich chairman.

"Now Sheepshanks is saying it wasn't him - and if it's a hoax, I just won't be able to believe it.

"I tried to speak to my chairman after the game on Saturday, but he'd already gone.

"I'll talk to him on Monday morning to sort this out, although I'm not sure he knows exactly what's happening."