x

A Class Apart - Ipswich Town News

There’s no mistaking teacher Barry Williams’s footballing allegiance when you walk into the engineering room at St Paul's Community College in Waterford, Ireland.

The room has recently undergone a refurbishment with Barry and his students adding a few additional touches.

"We took all the equipment out, we painted it, put in new benches, did a whole revamp on it and, of course, we put Town memorabilia on the wall,” he told TWTD.

"It creates a bit of an atmosphere. It all started because an awful lot of the kids here are fans of Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and all the big teams.

"They’d all come in here and chat about football and ask me who I followed, so I started putting up the flags and the posters and it just created an atmosphere in the class groups with plenty of banter and good humour, which ultimately developed a relaxed homely environment that the pupils enjoyed. Following on from this the learning setting was greatly enhanced.

"The school is a mid-sized post-primary school of about 500 students. We are a disadvantaged second level school working with students who face many social and educational challenges in life.

"One of the lads has done a hand-painted Town badge, three foot by two foot in the corridor outside the room. It’s lovely! Everybody’s got involved.”

Barry, 41, has been following the Blues for some years: "Since the days of Paul Cooper, Mick Mills and Paul Mariner to name but a few I have enjoyed following Town.

"About 10 or 12 years ago I started putting the stuff up in the room and it just developed from there.

"It’s a bit of fun with the lads, they’ll be waiting on the matches and come in and talk about who’s played, who scored, especially if Murph has scored.

"Daryl Murphy went to this school, and his brothers as well. He’s given us some shirts. Stephen Hunt is from Waterford as well. There’s a big connection between Waterford and Town.”

In addition to Murphy and Hunt being from Waterford, boss Mick McCarthy’s father hailed from the area, while local radio station WLR FM's sports presenter Matt Keane is another staunch Town fan of many years standing.

Matt, whose support of the Blues is well-known to listeners, was given the honour of officially opening the refurbished engineering room.

"We had him do an opening ceremony, cutting the ribbon just to mark the occasion,” Barry added.

Barry will be over for the Huddersfield game towards the end of October and hopes to bring a party of his students to Portman Road at some point in the future, some having been recruited to the Blue Army: "At the moment Town’s progress is certainly tracked by many of the students and a number now support the Blues!”

What to read next:

Women's Season Ticket Prices Announced
The club has announced details of season ticketing for Ipswich Town Women’s first ever WSL2 campaign with all their home league matches being played at the JobServe Community Stadium, Colchester.
Blues Host Saints Aiming to End Home Woes
Town host Southampton at Portman Road on Sunday still looking for their first home win of 2025 (Sky Sports, KO midday).
McKenna: Good Loan Moves For Keepers
Blues boss Kieran McKenna has been speaking about the loan moves made by keepers Aro Muric and Cieran Slicker over the last week.
McKenna: There Are a Few Positions Where We Need to Be Stronger
Boss Kieran McKenna says there are a number of areas which need to be strengthened if the Blues are to be a top Championship side this season.
Town Eyeing Uruguayan International Defender
Town are eyeing Uruguayan international centre-half Sebastian Caceres, TWTD understands.
McKenna: Philogene Back Training, Matusiwa Should Be Ready For Sunday
Town boss Kieran McKenna says Jaden Philogene returned to training yesterday following his ankle injury, while he expects Azor Matusiwa to be fine for Sunday’s home game against Southampton and gave an update on new signings Jens Cajuste and Chuba Akpom, as well as longer-term absentees Wes Burns, Conor Townsend and Harry Clarke.
McKenna: Azón Deal Not Yet Complete
Town boss Kieran McKenna says Como striker Iván Azón’s loan move to the Blues is not yet complete but confirmed that the 22-year-old has travelled to England.
McKenna: I'd Liked to Have Kept Broadhead
Town manager Kieran McKenna says he would have liked to have kept Nathan Broadhead at Portman Road but that the Wales international made it clear early in the summer he’d like to move on to Wrexham.
McKenna: We're Disappointed With How Hutchinson Exit's Been Played Out
Town boss Kieran McKenna say he’ll wish Omari Hutchinson well for the rest of his career if his £37.5 million move to Nottingham Forest goes through but admits he’s been disappointed at the manner in which the England U21 international’s time at Portman Road has come to end.
Released Agbaje Joins Sligo Rovers
Released Blues defender Edwin Agbaje has joined League of Ireland Sligo Rovers until the end of the Irish season, which runs through the summer.