The divisive politician was in Suffolk yesterday in an attempt to whip up support ahead of local elections in May. He faced a group of protesters in Felixstowe before holding a party rally at Trinity Park during the evening.
It has now emerged that Farage visited Portman Road earlier in the day, with Reform sharing images of him holding up an Ipswich Town shirt, with his name and the number 10 printed on the back, beside the pitch.
Farage Number 10. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Zk3QcU8zzq
— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) March 24, 2026
A caption under another image of Farage pretending to sign a contract in the club’s media suite read: “I’ve never been too bad on the right wing.”
I’ve never been too bad on the right wing. ✍️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/edW9hulPrO
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) March 24, 2026
In a further video shared, Farage says: “Ipswich Town are really in contention to get back to the Premier League. Let’s hope they do it, but if they don’t then I think, having had a chat with a few people here, there’s a chance of the manager’s job coming up next season and I’m definitely on the shortlist. The trouble is, there’s only one job I’m really after…”
Best of luck to Ipswich Town Football Club for the rest of the season. 👏 pic.twitter.com/yBnE85f15S
— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) March 24, 2026
Several comments underneath the post described Ipswich Town’s decision to host Farage as ‘shameful’ and ’embarrassing’, some highlighting how Reform’s policies don’t align with Ipswich Town FC’s inclusion and anti-discrimination stance and others pointing out Farage’s previous claim that ‘politics should be kept out of football’.
Ipswich Town Football Club, who have not shared any of the posts, opted not to comment about the visit when initially contacted.
The EADT and Ipswich Star was led to believe that Reform didn’t use the party or Farage’s name when initially booking the private tour online and that the printed shirt was purchased rather than gifted.
After facing a day of backlash, Ipswich Town eventually released a statement which read: “Ipswich Town Football Club has, over several years, hosted representatives from a range of political parties.
“The club remains apolitical and does not support or endorse any individual or party. The club will continue to engage with representatives from across the political spectrum as part of its role within the community.
“Ipswich Town is proud to be an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming organisation that supports all members of the local and wider community. This commitment remains unchanged.”
The hosting of Farage came two days after Ipswich’s annual Foundation Fixture, designed to highlight the work of the club’s charitable arm, including Refugee and LGBTQ+ football sessions.
It’s also one week removed from chairman Mark Ashton’s call for unity and togetherness among the fanbase ahead of a end of season Championship promotion push.
Ipswich’s Labour MP, Jack Abbott, recently filmed a video outside Portman Road to share the news that Ipswich was among nine finalists for the UK City of Culture 2029, writing: ‘Fingers crossed ITFC will get promoted this summer too!’
Ipswich’s former Tory MP, Tom Hunt, regularly attended Portman Road and congratulated the club’s promotion to the Premier League at the House of Commons in 2024.
#itfc pic.twitter.com/rl1XBPAhiy
— Rich Woodward (@IpsRich) March 24, 2026
@IpswichTown – I was about to buy the third and away kits. You’ve had that – I’ll send the money to a more deserving non-league team. Fire whoever said this was a good idea. Immediately. Utterly, utterly shameful.
— Get The Badge In ⚽🛡️ (@Pbgrange) March 24, 2026
@IpswichTown this shames our club. In the 1970’s we were one of the first clubs to have a racially diverse fanbase. Absolutely sickening to see this.
— GlasgowBlue (@Glassers1978) March 24, 2026
What on earth 😆
Doesn’t matter which way you lean politically, this is just strange… why would Ipswich even bother with this?
Surely not within their interests at all to dabble in politics
Will just unnecessarily divide a fanbase when they could’ve just done nothing
— The Robin’s Nest (Tom) (@RobinNestBCFC) March 24, 2026
@IpswichTown shameful, how have you allowed this to happen. We used to chant Ipswich lives in racial harmony back in the 70s and 80s when the NF were drumming up business at other clubs.
— Sean Cronin (@sean1cronin) March 24, 2026
The irony of him sat in front of the @ITFCFoundation logo, who’s main aim, in their words is to build an empowered, inspired, and inclusive community to be proud of, using the power of Ipswich Town to make positive changes to the lives of those in our community.
— Ben (@ben_jamin_jacob) March 24, 2026
Ipswich Town – a lesson in how to damage a brand in one easy lesson!
— S B (@Longtonian) March 24, 2026
What happened to keeping politics out of football?
— Steven B (@Stevenwblake1) March 24, 2026