Of course, the biggest question is this: How was Nigel Farage allowed to hijack our proud club to stage his own cheap party political stunt?
It’s been nearly a week since those shocking photos first emerged, and we are nowhere nearer knowing what really happened. Why should we be told, for goodness sake? We’re only the loyal fans…
Honestly, what an absolute mess. I really don’t think the club could have handled it any worse. I can only speak for myself, but it’s left me feeling very ill-disposed towards the people who currently run our football club.
I feel the fans have been treated like idiots. Taken for granted when in reality we are the beating heart of the football club.
Mark Ashton finally apologised on Friday night – but didn’t offer any explanations (Image: Ross Halls)
I was pleased Mark Ashton eventually apologised, even though it was four days late. It was gratifying to hear him admit that mistakes had been made.
But they were the only positives I took from his statement. He didn’t give any details of what happened, when it happened, or who had been involved. He didn’t clarify what the mistakes were, or who made them.
Intriguingly, he talked about “mistruths” (strange word) without explaining what the alleged “mistruths” were and who had supposedly been spreading them.
Of course it wasn’t a proper interview. Ashton was talking to a member of staff at Portman Road, whose ultimate boss is…Mark Ashton. Hardly a recipe for a tough grilling!
In reality, it was a mere continuation of an absolutely horrific week for our football club, starting with Farage’s party political broadcast using ITFC as a backdrop.
I must clarify something here. I would be saying the same things if the leaders of the Labour Party, Conservatives, Lib-Dems, Greens or the Monster Raving Loony Party had done the same.
Football and politics are like oil and water. They do not mix. No political party leader should be allowed to use our stadium as a setting.
Fans’ group Blue Action were highly critical of the Farage saga (Image: PA/Reform UK)
Having said that, the fact that it was the notoriously divisive Mr. Farage added a great deal of fuel to the fire. What on earth were the bosses at the club thinking?
Once the backlash from supporters began, Ipswich Town’s response was woeful. Their initial statement was just a few platitudes about the club being apolitical. They didn’t address any questions. And then they said they wouldn’t be saying any more.
Inevitably, that ill-advised silence created a void which others were only too happy to fill. Within hours, different versions of events appeared, apparently contradicting the football club’s initial statement.
Over the next few days, after some good work by decent journalists, a very different picture emerged. Suddenly it was being reported Ashton had lunch with Farage. That’s not what we, the supporters, had been told.
The Nigel Farage furore overshadowed Saturday’s showpiece game at Portman Road for the Tractor Girls (Image: Ross Halls)
Hats off to my colleague, Mark Heath, Head of Football at the EADT, for holding Ashton’s feet to the fire, asking the questions which so desperately needed answering, and for calling for a public apology.
As a result, in my view Ashton had no choice but to say something publicly. But then he missed a great opportunity. He failed to clarify anything at all. Again, he didn’t address any specific questions.
He did say sorry, but for what? Perplexing, mystifying – but absolutely consistent with the mishandling of this whole saga. No wonder we’ve seen such a huge backlash from so many supporters.
All of the above has left me feeling very disillusioned, and that’s a polite way of putting it. I’ve supported Ipswich since 1968, through thick and thin, peaks and troughs.
There have been some bad times, yes, but this is a really awful low. I feel much of the excellent work – led by Mark Ashton – since the American takeover has been damaged.
I feel really alienated, but what can we supporters do? Walk away? Of course we can’t. Supporting Ipswich Town is part of our DNA. Besides, my late father would never forgive me.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town return against Birmingham on Easter Monday (Image: PA)
I will be in my seat on Easter Monday for the Birmingham game. But it will be with a heavy heart.
One thing I do know. Long after Mark Ashton and his colleagues, Kieran McKenna and the coaching staff, and the current crop of players have all sailed off into the sunset, we fans will still be here, supporting our club.
As I said earlier, we are the beating heart. We deserve so much better than the shabby treatment of the last few days.