First of all I would like to let you all know who I am. My name is Sindre Eliassen and I'm a 17-year-old Norwegian bloke with a burning desire for Ipswich Town. I have been a true and hardcore fan since I was about six, when my dad succeeded with turning me into a fan like himself.

It was at an early age when I started to pick up on names like David Johnson, Matt Holland, Marcus Stewart, Martijn Reuser and Richard Wright. I somehow knew so much more about the English game than my mates and was soon called The Encyclopaedia, just because I knew names from a team that no one had ever heard about.

At the age of nine (2003) I participated in a football school at Portman Road and was mascot for the mighty Blues when we went to Sunderland on 30th September, that chilly midweek night in 2003. I was realising that my life was almost all about this football team from Suffolk that no one had heard about.

Now when Facebook became a part of my life, I started getting in touch with English Town fans, and I thought that was great. Each day I wrote this wallpost where I let my opinion be heard, but it didn't last for long.

It was only about a year ago when I got very weird and personal feedback regarding my name and the fact I'm a Norwegian. I used to come out with comments like, "We should start Scotland more, I think he has a lot to offer to our team!". But I didn't have to wait long until I heard, "Armchair fan you don't know anything go and support your local team instead".

Hopefully, not all of the Town fans are like that (I know they aren't) but I need to know where these comments come from, why are foreign fans not wanted by certain people, what have we done wrong?

I hate to say it but I often feel like a few of my Norwegian mates are perhaps the best fans I've ever seen or experienced.

One of Norway's best fans was sleeping at the floor on the Norwegian airport Torp on Friday, before he travelled to England early doors on Saturday just so he could go and watch Town meet Hull in the third round of the FA Cup, before travelling back shortly afterwards.

I know three or four people in Norway about the same age as me who support Ipswich, imagine that, three or four out of 5 million!

There aren't many of us, but we are so proud to support this mediocre club in the Championship. Teams like Man Utd, Liverpool, and so on have 30 or 40 thousand fans in their supporters clubs, while we have about 500 very dedicated and loyal fans.

As a 17-year-old I'm travelling by myself to Ipswich in April to watch us play Birmingham and Palace, and I've saved money for one whole year just to watch us play two decent teams. Ask yourself, would you do that?

I think we deserve a lot of respect for spending so much time, money and effort into something a lot of people take for granted.

I just wonder, is it something wrong on supporting Ipswich, do you 'local' fans feel afraid of different cultures in the club, or is it great that we have a fanbase on a global basis? I hope 100% of you prefer the second option.

Finally, I want to thank all of you who respect us and give us the appreciation we deserve, we really admire you too for supporting a team that seems to be stuck in the Championship. Thanks, and have a nice day, COYB.

ITFCOYB added 10:00 - Jan 10 Sindre- you are either one of us, or you're not. If you are, you just have to take the rough with the smooth on and off the pitch, bruv, but you'll never be alone. COYB.
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Bleedingblue added 10:25 - Jan 10 I think you warrant more respect for your commitment. It's a long journey for you and you obviously care passionately about the club so fair play to you. Your Countries lovely too by the way! Had my best ever holiday in Norway, wish we had the Cod and landscape you do down here!! You can keep your weather though ;)
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Pessimistic added 11:21 - Jan 10 Talking of Norway you may be a fan of Town like me but I am also a fan of Kings of Convenience. They are an excellent advertisement for your beautiful country and produce some wonderful music.
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higgistockwell added 12:02 - Jan 10 i think this extends sometimes to not coming from suffolk even,iknow ihave had negativity before and still now,silly really,even though ive been a supporter for over 33 years ,over 10 a season ticket holder and been everywhere with town home and abroad.we now more than ever need every supporter we have,coyb.
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singtown added 12:39 - Jan 10 Hi Sindre, I've been supporting the tractor boys for about 20+ years now since I was a teenager, and I'm from Singapore! If u don't know, its a small tropical country in Southeast Asia, and it'll take about 12 hours to fly to UK. About 2 yrs back I went to UK for holiday with my family and one of the must-go itinerary was to visit portman road during off-season. We took a train from London to Ipswich and spent 3 fabulous days there. My kid enjoyed visits to Jimmys Farm & Christchurch Mansion, while I can never forget the stadium tour and watching Fabian Wilnis testimonial game. It was amazing to see chaps like Reuser & Matty playing in front of you! I spent about 500 pounds on various blues merchandise, getting the jerseys for myself and my 3 yr old kid as well. I was chided by my wife for spending this sum, but i see it as a contribution & support to the club. U've seen the feedback from this forum, I believe that majority would never detest foreign supporters like me & you. To relive the good old days of the 90s team I still remember we had a decent team - Craig Forrest, David linighan, mike stockwell, Simon milton, Chris kimwomya

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SWBlue86 added 13:08 - Jan 10 Good work Sidre. I'm sure you are well appretiated however you are always likely to get the odd ignorant comment. COYB
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Sindre94 added 13:29 - Jan 10 singtown: I admire you, seriously.
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Stu_Magoo added 14:50 - Jan 10 Sindre - keep doing what you're doing!!! It can sometimes be a lonely road - Im in Dubai and think Im ITFC fan number 1 of 1!
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Jonnosdreadlocks added 15:55 - Jan 10 I don't see why you would support Ipswich unless you had some real connection with the Town like Family or you worked here. Why don't you support the Norwegian League, it needs your support more than a foreign club like Ipswich. If i had my way it should be a law you should support your local club. The likes of Man Utd and Liverpool are just brnads and have sold the souls of the community clubs they once were. By all means have a foreign side as a second team like I have Adelaide U

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megamoth added 17:37 - Jan 10 Jonnosdreadlocks - what a load of crud. I live in north london and have supported Town for 30 years. Man U and Liverpool supporters that you speak about are largely glory seekers who would give up on those clubs if they ever fell from grace in the way that we have. Anyone supporting ITFC who lives outside of Ipswich and without ties to the area (whether they live in London, Norway or Australia) are likely to be supporters without easy access to the local media, without a battery of friends who also support the team and without the same outlet to share frustrations and triumphs. Those fans should be embraced with open arms - right now, we need all the support we can get

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darren_cox added 18:07 - Jan 10 Sindre94 ur support is defintely appreciated. To be fair ITFC needs all the fans we can get with the way things are going at the moment.
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linhdi added 18:25 - Jan 10 Our worldwide fanbase is brilliant - people who keep in touch despite (or maybe these days because of) not being able to get their regular fix of live football... It is a rare game when there isn't someone travelling over from Norway, and the efforts you all make are just fab. Many proper Town fans love meeting you over here, having a few beers and sharing a laugh. In early June, some of us will be in Oslo for the England game, and a number of Norwegian Blues have already suggested a meet up - I can't wait! So far as not being local goes, a pal of mine has been supporting Town for over 40 years, not missed a home game in nearly 20 years, but is often slagged off because they were not actually born in Suffolk (moved there as a very young child !). So don't worry, we are mostly all foreigners to some...

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DanishBlues added 23:09 - Jan 10 Great blog. I'm a Danish Town supporter and have been so for 11 years now. I have also experienced that my comments have been hammered down by fellow Town fans in the same style you describe. It also made me wonder. Why on earth are they doing that? So a couple of years ago I simply stopped writing any. So I'm mostly a reader now and I really enjoy reading everything about ITFC and keeping myself up to date. I listen to Life's a Pitch on BBC radio Suffolk every Saturday and every pre and post match programs and of course live match commentary for every match. And I will continue to go to Ipswich, along with my daughter who's 9 and a lifelong supporter, just as we have done so many times before and watch the team we love so much, regardless what some few idiots say or think about us foreign fans.

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singtown added 23:30 - Jan 10 Hi Sindre, just like you i envy the town fans in UK bcos they are so close to the news/action, something that the minority of grumpy fans failed to realise and cherish. Due time difference and ahead by 8 hrs, a 3pm game is 11pm for me, and a weekday evening game is 3am for me. Even though championship games do not enjoy coverage in Singapore like BPL games, I always try to catch up on live streams and live commentaries from the web, if preciously available. I often gets the laugh from friends who supports the big 4 - Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal - for supporting town. I am never shy from telling people I'm a town supporter. In fact on my weekend outings with family, I have had 2 incidents where tourist from UK came forward and asked if I was wearing an ITFC jersey and I said yes. I guess they must be amazed. I have supported town thru thick and thin for the past 20+ years and will continue to do so. Way to go Sindre!

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StavangerBlue added 02:10 - Jan 11 Answer: No. As a Town fan, first game Sheff Wed v Ipswich (May 1986) and to some that is a big game and turning point in our team's history. We are smeared at. Away fans can be some of the best fans IMHO. Travelling far and wide, in all weathers. Not better than home fans but less appreciated; we are a different breads.
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cphtractor added 02:12 - Jan 11 Good blog Sindre and don´t stop voicing your opinion far to few of us foreign supporters do that. I think most Town fans appreciate the Norwegian fanatics, some of whom don´t miss a game. Well any foreign fan for that matter I´ve always felt welcome. As for me I can only allow my self one trip per season and I chose Palace in April.
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ozzydog added 08:22 - Jan 11 Always feel proud to see Ipswich fans from all around the world. Now I live abroad I can appreciate the effort it takes to get to games especially at the moment! Well Done COYB
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MJR101 added 21:25 - Jan 12 Your support is most appreciated. It is gratifying to know you are there. Keep it up and enjoy your trip here later I'm the year.
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COYB added 03:58 - Jan 13 I get put off from making any comments on TWTD as I rarely get to games from Alice Springs... and the minority do make it feel that listening to every minute and reading every write up still aren't enough to hold a valid opinion, as you haven't been to the game. I imagine your Scotland comment was spot on.
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WarkonWater added 06:21 - Jan 13 Sindre94, keep it up. The overwhelming majority of ITFC fans are thrilled there are people out there who are discerning enough to make a connection with our club. I have been a fan long enough to remember our successful era and hope that one day other loyal fans, wherever they might be, get to experience that excitement as well.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 09:57 - Jan 13 you and all long distance fans are very welcome, our lack of support seems to be from within the IP1 - IP3 postcodes
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ThatMuhrenCross added 13:55 - Jan 13 Overseas supporters are one of the best things about this football club. I think we also have a large Swedish and Dutch contingent, and quite frankly, the 'fans' who do not welcome them are the sort of undesirables that are not welcome in the minds of most true Ipswich supporters.
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buryblue77 added 16:14 - Jan 13 I find it very flattering that a club like Ipswich is attracting the attention of fans from outside the area and more to the point, outside of the country. It's something that I could understand even more back in the mid 70's onto early mid 80's when we would have been heard of throughout Europe so it's even more commendable that someone like yourself have such a passion for the club now at a time when things aren't exactly rosy. I would have thought we'd all want as many people supporting the club as possible and by some supporting from foreign soils it can only go to raise the profile of our club. Thanks Sindre, you could have easily chosen a Man Utd, Arsenal or Liverpool etc.

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Facefacts added 17:46 - Jan 13 Thanks for the video. I very rarely see us play now, and any good quality footage like yours is great to watch. QPR is one of the best away grounds, as we are high up, but still close to the pitch. A bit like Sheffield Wednesday, I wonder if we'll be playing them next season? The less said about Portsmouth the better, you can't really see the game at all - it's a non-league set-up that got lucky because Harry Redknapp was local and needed a job at the time, then dumped us out of the FA Cup on their way to winning it in 2008.

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blueasfook added 17:35 - Jan 16 Armchair fan you don't know anything go and support your local team instead. :)
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