| Through the Good Times, and the Bad Written by Solly on Tuesday, 26th Feb 2013 22:25 The bus approached, blue and white ribbons blowing out in the light summer breeze, the whole town seemingly lining the streets, inspired by the actions of a small band of footballers; footballers who now waved down at their adoring fans below, Matt Holland and Marcus Stewart unwittingly posing for a seven-year-old’s photo as they passed above little old me, stood with Mum near the town hall. Four teenage friends emerged wide-eyed into the stadium through an entrance they’d never used before - the hallowed North Stand turnstiles. Surrounded by far louder songs than we’d ever heard before, no doubt aided by the pulsating 3-2 win over Colchester unfolding in front of us on the pitch, we’d be inspired to return many more times as our support progressed from young idolisation to a more involved, participatory experience. The supporters' coach heading for Hillsborough had two away day virgins amongst its ranks, wide-eyed with anticipation, unsure what to expect. A 1-0 win, scrappy in the extreme, had us captivated, eyes opened to yet another new way to support our side - songs sung before, during and after the game, people from all walks of life brought together in our support of Ipswich Town. It’s these memories that sustain a relationship with a football club. It’s these memories which are exempt from erosion, the foundations upon which footballing allegiances are built and never, ever knocked down. But that doesn’t mean to say that a relationship with your football club is smooth and strong. How can it be? It would be wrong to blithely support your team with the same heart and belief at every single game you go to. There are factors that are open to change - not those cherished memories, but people like owners, managers, players; they all change. Indeed, they can all change quite quickly. Rather too quickly. Ipswich Town have used 37 players in all competitions this season. 37. How ridiculous. How can fans build a rapport with any of them? How can the players build a rapport with each other? How can players reach their full potential surrounded by such huge pressure, not just from the squad but the ludicrous loan market too? In the summer we went out and brought a supposed number one goalkeeper, a position we’ve desperately needed to fill ever since losing Márton Fülöp if we’re being generous, Neil Alexander if we’re not. A few bad games, to be expected from a young keeper, and boom, out we go on the transfer prowl and in comes Stephen Henderson to hardly set the world alight. In central defence a hat has to be doffed to Big Mick for backing Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith and allowing them to build a relationship, but was Danny Higginbotham necessary? Is Patrick Kisnorbo needed till the end of the season? And why, when we’re clearly in the midst of a relegation scrap with a settled back four, are we signing a 21-year-old centre-half from Manchester United? Jason Scotland, Michael Chopra, Nathan Ellington, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Ronan Murray, DJ Campbell, Daryl Murphy, Paul Taylor, Tyrone Barnett, Aaron Mclean, David McGoldrick and Frank Nouble. Yes, yes, we’ve been unlucky with injuries. Take Taylor and Barnett out of that list and it doesn’t look quite so crazy. But crazy nevertheless. What’s wrong with having four strikers and trusting them? Backing them? Putting an arm around them, telling them that they’re starting the next three games, no matter what? Nah, none of that. We’ll just sign a replacement on loan. I don’t live in Ipswich, so I rarely get to see us play, but when I am back and about, it costs me about £24 to go. Why would I? Yes, I get to sit in Portman Road, which is always a treat. But that’s likely to be the best aspect of the whole experience. We don’t play ‘Ipswich’ football any more. We simply play football - pragmatic, dull, any way will do football. Even if we won, I think I’d feel a little underwhelmed, and would we win? We’re really not very good. That, in itself, isn’t a good enough excuse - I’d hate to be one of these football fans who only goes to watch their team win. But the thing is, we should be winning, with the money we’ve spent (there’s nothing wrong with money per se - it depends how you use it), the players we’ve signed. If we were running on a much lower budget, playing younger players, battling away manfully, I could accept it. The fact that our team is full of players on huge wages, of loanees, of Nigel Reo-Cokers who appear blissfully ignorant of the badge on their chests depresses me hugely. But is it just my age? Have I reached a new stage of my supporting life? Am I going through a phase of anti-football, trying to broaden my horizons and take on new things? Oh how I’d love to say yes. But I still read about and watch as much football as ever. Yes, I may not be eight any more, but if I was, who would I get on the back of my shirt? No idea. Yet through all of this, through the faceless, money-dominated Marcus Evans era, every time I step off the train at Ipswich station and out into the fresh air of my home town, look straight ahead and gaze at Portman Road in all its glory, the goose bumps emerge without fail, as if Reuser, Holland, Magilton and Bent are in there strutting their stuff. And you know the good times will return. Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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