“That’s it. I’ve had enough. I’m never coming to this place again!”…
…or words to that effect. That was my reaction following my last visit to Portman Road, home of the once mighty Ipswich Town. In 30+ years I don’t think I’ve ever felt so despondent at the end of a season as I did in May. Even the unshakable optimism of youthfulness that normally rubs off from my son, was starting to fail me.
Still, here we are, 3 or 4 months later and the new season is upon us. Time is a good healer and the break did us all good. I admit I probably said some things in the heat of the moment that were a little harsh (but some were, and still are, totally justified!) nevertheless, the broken relationship between me and my club is starting to rebuild, slowly.
Yes, they are owned by a multi millionaire businessman who clearly doesn’t know or care about Ipswich like the fans. True, the manager is not a flamboyant crowd pleaser. Even the chairman seems to lack basic business sense. However, this is where we are and there’s no point dwelling on the negatives. The club must move on and must try to help it.
If I stop going to matches, my son stops going. If he stops going now, he’ll end up ‘supporting’ Chelsea or Man City like a depressingly large number of his peers already do. When he’s a teenager he wont be going and ultimately his kids wont go (because he wont take them). This seems like a fairly obvious long term spiral of doom for Ipswich that must be avoided at all costs.
The silly thing is, Ipswich are in an almost unique situation. Geographically there are virtually no other league clubs to compete with for support. Head up north to Rochdale for example. They have at least a dozen or more other clubs all within 10 miles of them, vying for any stray/disillusioned supporters wanting to watch live football. Here, Portman Road remains less than half full, whilst the other half stay at home. They are not attending other matches, they are simply waiting to be tempted back. There are only two things that will tempt them back; entertainment and value for money. Two things plainly missing last year. Let’s face it, only an idiot would go back for more.
Needless to say, I already have our tickets ready to confidently (cough cough) take our seats for the new campaign. My hopes for the year are simple – avoid the drop. Anything else is a bonus!
#ITFC #OneOfOurOwn
