[Blog] Roy Keane Signed Town Shirt Dilemma
Written by superaltown on Wednesday, 3rd Aug 2011 14:03

Yesterday I was kindly given a Roy Keane signed Town shirt. This presented me, a proud Ipswich fan for over 30 years, with a small, but important (to me at least), dilemma. Do I hang the shirt with pride in my downstairs toilet along with my other sporting memorabilia? Or is Tractor Roy's shirt destined for the back of a dusty wardrobe?

During the Keane era, I was one of those fans that didn't really know what I thought about Roy Keane managing ITFC. At first, I thought it was a great move - a real man motivator, with a decent enough track record and a burning desire to succeed. An almost old-fashioned, let's sort out those who do and don't want to play for our great club attitude.

Then reality very slowly sank in. Disjointed, dismal performances, strange signings and even stranger statements coming from Portman Road. But I am of a positive mind set and like to see people given a chance. In my mind at least, he needed time, like any manager in any profession does, to get his ethos and style in place, as well as his preferred personnel. However, as we all know, he had a chance, maybe not enough time, but enough was enough and ultimately, he blew it.

Will Keane (not the Man Utd reserve player) ever be a success in management? My feeling is that it's a yes. He is still young and has time to succeed but he will need to have learned from his time at Ipswich.

Of course, none of this helps me with my dilemma. By rights, it's an Ipswich top and should take pride of place on my toilet wall but the negative connotations of that 'Best wishes, Roy Keane' in gold marker pen would sadden me every time nature calls.

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FrimleyBlue added 14:15 - Aug 3 BURN IT
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SitfcB added 14:20 - Aug 3 No KC...If you burn it, you'll be burning the ITFC badge aswell! My KEANO banner on the other hand....
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UsualSuspect added 14:23 - Aug 3 Hang it! Toilet's the best place for it, every time you squeeze one out it'll remind you of Roy's tenure.
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FrimleyBlue added 14:23 - Aug 3 AH, Cut out the badge, then burnt it
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TheSeg13 added 14:28 - Aug 3 I agree with KingChopra... just dont burn the badge!
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superaltown added 14:32 - Aug 3 alternative option - cut out the signature?!
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Garv added 14:35 - Aug 3 Sell it
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GloryGlory added 14:44 - Aug 3 DM me, I'll buy it.
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perrymason added 14:51 - Aug 3 I'd put it somewhere REALLY dark
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algarvefan added 14:52 - Aug 3 Serious suggestion...Auction it for a charity of your choice and then at least one thing good came out of Roy Keanes reign, someone sad will buy it :-)
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ozzydog added 14:56 - Aug 3 First cut the badge out. Then spit on what is left, burn it, flush the ashes down the bog
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statto72 added 15:18 - Aug 3 his signature has lowered its value
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Doctor_Albran added 16:17 - Aug 3

Superaltown, genius idea, give all the characters who haven't go over the fact that Roy Keane is no longer in charge a place to vent their ire, although I feel that they could all wind themselves up into a frenzy when placed on a single blog.

The fact is it's a town shirt and should be treated as you would want your beloved club to be treated. it is after all an extension of the club - albeit only a tawdry trinket designed to generate funds for the club at the cheapest wholesale cost (so exactly like a football club in itself) and (possibly/alledgedly! :) ) made with loving attention by a 5 year old in Malaysia.

Keep it, fold it so you can't see the signature and hang it, or, if the signature is in a prominent place, get a photo of one of the current squad and include that in the frame covering the signature.

Finally, do you have the largest toilet in all christendom?

superaltown added 16:34 - Aug 3

thanks for all the advice/opinions...I will photo the results either way.

Doctor Allbran - its not a big toilet, honest! Quite a humble little room really..but room enough for framed stuff on the wall(s), just...its the only time I get peace and quiet, so I like to have nice surroundings...

Any other donations to the sporting toilet are welcome, I am hoping to create the world's smallest sporting museum

BiGDonnie added 17:07 - Aug 3 Keep it. Maybe robbie Keane will sign for us one day and do really well.
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alexsmith111 added 17:38 - Aug 3 Robbie keane idea is the best, mr evans will have to have his arm twisted to see that happen though. Saying that i love town but i think you would have to twist robbie's arm aswel
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Guthrum added 19:20 - Aug 3 Forget the whole managerial thing, it's in the past. Besides which, from the perspective of 10 years' time, he didn't actually manage to get us relegated, just failed to get anywhere near promotion. So you've got an Ipswich Town top signed by one of Manchester United's most successful midfielders and former Captain. Keep.
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Vic added 21:32 - Aug 3

I like Dr Allbran commenting on what do do in the toilet!

Now about the shirt - Def keep it. It's a bit of our history whatever we think of it. If RK does go on to be a top manager (not likely but posible) it will be worth a mint; if he doesn't it will still have serious value as per Guthrams second paragraph.

Lastly - you're comments about RK's appointment; exactly how I lookked at his tenure, during and after.

RetroBlue added 23:04 - Aug 3 You could of course, just cut it into strips, for one of those days when you just happen to have run our of toilet roll !
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fourth added 07:17 - Aug 4

Mr Keane is unlikely to succeed in football management because he can only relate in Parent/child mode.
You will notice that Mr Jewell has brought in some characters who are not at all easy....but they either are or are capable of becoming adults.
This will require an adult/adult relationship which means that the players will take responsibility and the manager will be able to work in detail sympathetically with the players.
We should, in other words, see systematically good play getting the best out of players and determination.

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