A round-up of the big stories surrounding Middlesbrough’s Championship rivals
Portman Road(Image: PA)
Middlesbrough’s promotion rivals Ipswich Town have faced condemnation after the club became the centre of a political campaign of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Ahead of upcoming local elections, Farage released campaign material that was filmed and pictured inside Ipswich’s Portman Road home. The content included Farage posing with a ‘Farage 10’ Ipswich top in front of the club’s media board, featuring all of its sponsors.
Initially refusing to comment, club sources told the media that Reform’s visit had been part of a private tour that was booked under a different name, while the shirt was bought, rather than a gift. However, such claims have been disputed by Reform sources, with the Athletic reporting to have seen evidence of communications between Reform members involved in the visit of Portman Road and senior officials at the Suffolk club.
As such, Ipswich were forced to release a statement on Tuesday evening which insisted they were ‘apolitical’ and did not ‘support or endorse any individual or party.’
Despite that, the club faced plenty of backlash for the incident, with prominent supporters group Blue Action releasing a strongly-worded statement about the matter on Wednesday.
They wrote: “Blue Action is an apolitical group. Our primary aim is to generate a positive atmosphere at Portman Road and support the team on the pitch. We also seek to challenge the club on any issues we feel are important, and that affect the wider fanbase.
“As reported, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, visited Portman Road on Monday for an apparent stadium tour. On the surface, a high profile figure – even one as divisive as Farage – visiting PR shouldn’t cause concern. But as photos emerged, it was clear that Farage had used the club to promote himself and his party’s upcoming local election campaign.
“As a group, we will not get drawn into any political argument. This to us is about our football club being egregiously exploited by a political figure for personal gain, and those in charge seemingly allowing and even welcoming it.
“As it stands, and without setting the straight, they are appearing complicit in allowing Ipswich Town to be used as a political platform by Farage and Reform. In doing so, they risk alienating large numbers of the fanbase and fomenting division, and at a crucial time of the season when we should all be united and pulling in the same direction.
“We are not Labour FC, Green FC, or Reform FC. We are Ipswich Town FC. This is our football club, not a political football.”
Frank Lampard urges against Coventry City complacency
Most would now consider Boro to be in a three-way battle for automatic promotion with Ipswich and Millwall, after the trio’s recent slip-ups allowed Coventry to open a nine-point gap over Boro, and 11 over Ipswich and Millwall.
And while that leaves Coventry with one foot in next season’s Premier League given there are only seven games remaining, boss Frank Lampard is refusing to discuss the Championship title, as he guards against complacency.
Speaking after Saturday’s win over Swansea, the Chelsea legend said: “There are seven games and 21 points and we don’t know what everyone else is going to do.
“I’m a believer in taking care of our business to get to where we want to get to. And fortunately now we don’t have to look around too much, we can just go and do what we need to do to get us there, if we can get there.”
Liam Manning takes compassionate leave
Boro fans may remember last season that Liam Manning missed Bristol City’s clash with Boro. News broke ahead of the game that his baby son Theo had tragically died.
Now manager at Huddersfield Town after his summer switch to Norwich City didn’t go as hoped, the Terriers have announced that the head coach is take compassionate leave until the end of the season.
A club statement explained: “Huddersfield Town men’s first-team head coach Liam Manning has been granted compassionate leave for the remainder of the 2025/26 Sky Bet League One season.
“Liam has made the Club aware of ongoing personal matters relating to the tragic passing of his new born son Theo in October 2024, and he will now be given time away from his professional duties.
“Liam, his wife Fran, their eldest son Isaac, and the entire Manning family have the full support of everyone at Huddersfield Town, and we will keep in regular contact with Liam and those close to him.”
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