Trust is a funny thing, it takes years to develop and in extreme circumstances, minutes to end. Whether that's in a relationship, a friendship or in a commercial setting, when it breaks down it is simply time to move on.

And let's be clear, it's broken. Not because Mark Ashton hosted Nigel Farage, that's his business who he chooses to dine with. His political views and leanings are his business just as previous owner Marcus Evans's political allegiances were his business.

But Ashton has lost the trust of many for one simple reason, the evidence which has emerged over the last 24 hours appears to indicate that the club lied. The club appears to have gaslit the fanbase and misled journalists all in a desperate attempt to hide the truth of how it was Nigel Farage came to make a Reform PR video at Portman Road.

The silence from the club spoke volumes, it shone a light on the fact that clearly something was amiss. Why not simply apologise for allowing a political party to use Portman Road? Why not admit the error, apologise and commit to do better?

We now know why, multiple sources have spoken to the press and it's clear that, contrary to the club’s version of events, Ashton was fully aware of Farage's visit to Portman Road, and even facilitated it according to some reports. Maybe he knew what Farage planned, maybe he didn't. But it was dishonest to mislead the press and fans.

Ashton has shown in that simple act he is not fit to be CEO of our club. We expect a number of things that are clearly lacking. Competence, integrity and honesty.

He's made one fantastic decision (recruiting Kieran McKenna) and piggy-backed that for years. Yep, we have invested in the club infrastructure, anyone could see that was needed.

But we have also lost countless staff from our academy operation. Experienced staff with years of knowledge of our club.

And look at how he has failed to engage constructively with Blue Action. It is now coming out how he actually threatened them with being banned from "my stadium". The arrogance and ego shining through in that one phrase.

On its own, a series of questionable decisions shouldn't mean we should sack him.

But ongoing fan disunity, players unhappy, sponsors unhappy and future player recruitment will now be harder. Those all are football matters and that is damaging our club and will impact us for years if unresolved.

The alternative is a slow car crash. The impact of this week doesn't blow over, the damage is done and will remain until the cause is removed. Until the break-up is complete.

The vile abuse received by anyone who has spoken out on social media shows just how divided the fanbase (and society) is. The way forward is simple, get rid, do it quickly and then unite behind the team.

Anyone who thinks Ashton is the man to unite the fanbase is deluded. Bang on all you want about fans being 'wet wipes' etc, but the fans have every right to object to our club bring used by a political party for PR and more importantly, for being lied to.

The fans have every right to expect honesty and integrity in all club communications.

For many the trust is gone and the only way that ends is for Ashton to leave. One way or another his time is surely up.

N2_Blue added 15:08 - Mar 27 Agree with absolutely everything you've put so succintly here.
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NederlandseBlue added 15:10 - Mar 27 Another well written blog.
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TheMoralMajority added 15:24 - Mar 27 It's a thumbs up from me
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OldTimer2 added 15:31 - Mar 27 Spot on
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IvorFeeling added 16:10 - Mar 27 My view is that it is a big cock up, again not because of Reform/Farage but the circumstances prior to and afterwards. However, I don't agree that is only good decision is KMcK and that he should go - what is clear that being both Chairman & CEO is not good. IMO this either doesn't happen if O'Leary is still around or the aftermath is dealt with in the proper fashion. So Ashton to stay and appoint a Chairman

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TripSwitch added 16:34 - Mar 27 Agree with all this
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Paxtonblue added 16:50 - Mar 27 I posted in detail about this on another thread so won't repeat myself here. But although part of me doesn't want him to leave, showing such a terrible error of judgement, lying to fans about it, and most of all undertaking the most divisive action possible at a time of the season when we need everyone to pull together is, sadly, indefensible.
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HampBlue added 16:51 - Mar 27 That's incredibly harsh to say the only good thing has been Kmc. There are countless things which he has led in relation to a long term plan for the training facilities, stadium, match experience and fan engagement. Remember the Evans era? Also this point: 'But we have also lost countless staff from our academy operation. Experienced staff with years of knowledge of our club.... I know some people are sentimental, but the club has moved on. If people arn't aligned to the vision of success they have to move on. Don't get me wrong, he messed up here... Massively. The club has been used for political gain. 70% of the fanbase who's political views lie elsewhere (like myself) have understandably been let down, it's divided the fanbase especially how polarising and tribal politics now. I just feel it's a little unfair to forget how far as a club we've come with him leading most of it.

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Carberry added 16:53 - Mar 27 Well said. Integrity is so important to our football club.
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NthQldITFC added 17:02 - Mar 27 Agree with almost all of that. As HampBlue says, he's driven the club to improve off the pitch very effectively too. But as you say, trust is everything. Absolutely everything. And he's broken it badly. Time to go.
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KBsSocks added 18:04 - Mar 27 Thanks for the Blog. Where are the naysayers ?!
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vilanovablue added 18:19 - Mar 27 It encapsulated all my views and I wouldn't expect any less of one our wiser fans. A brilliantly written blog as well. Thanks for sharing.
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armchaircritic59 added 18:21 - Mar 27 What's happening at the club at the moment is like some cross between the " Three Wise Monkeys " and an Ostrich with it's head in the sand. There's a saying and a true one " All things shall pass ". This one might linger around for some while unfortunately.
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DrJez added 18:22 - Mar 27 Spot on. Can't tolerate the lying.
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blues1 added 19:36 - Mar 27 Total load of bs. Grow up
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Benji1611 added 23:26 - Mar 27 Maybe not to the extent mentioned in this article, but MA has funked up royally. If he is just a Reform mluthpiece, then leave my club immediately. I don't think that's the case, maybe it's blue tinted glasses, but I am hopeful it's just a cockup by the hospitality team that nobody was prepared for... I typed that out and realised how naiive that is. MA has done great things for this club, more than KmK, but he has not made up for this cock up. I am really concerned that he's allowed this for personal and political gain, and this makes me feel dirty wearing a Town top

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Maltster added 13:15 - Mar 28 What a lot of rubbish. The Farage thing is a stoke in a tea cup stirred up by left wing joualists and their hangers o.Mark is an excellent chairman/CEO he claim to us when we were languishing in the firstdivion but look at us know Incidentally I wonder how many of the relatives of Nigel Farages critics will vote for NF at the next election
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captaincrunch added 16:03 - Mar 28 Oh bore on, bluelagos
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captaincrunch added 16:08 - Mar 28 The reason why the fanbase is not united is because of a societal problem we have in this country where there are a lot of individuals who like to virtue signal to make themselves look good when in fact they are far from perfect themselves. Our society is one of lies where these people are lying to themselves. You also have a large part of society that dislikes this self-righteousness and respects the truth. You cannot reconcile these 2 groups so you will not have unity on subjects like this. In another country sure no problem but not in our propagandised hellscape.

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Saxonblue74 added 07:13 - Mar 30 Ashton will go nowhere, and rightly so. Along with the best manager we have had for decades and investment from wealthy, forward thinking owners he has turned ITFC into a club that is prospering once more. Where have you been prior to this Bluelagos? If you and those that support your views feel so strongly about Mark Ashtons performance why has nobody called for change? The biggest problem here has been the timing of it all, if this had come whilst football was being played it would have blown over by now and all those who have dusted off their keyboard just to comment on this would go quiet for another few years.

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Churchmans_crate added 08:54 - Mar 30 What a smug load of nonsense, captaincrunch. What gives you the right to pass judgement on the way this sorry episode has made people feel? This has been a heart breaking affair for a lot of people - people who have had years of great moments supporting Ipswich and feel absolutely part of the club's identity. That includes me - supporting since 1972. If you do not feel the same, that is absolutely up to you, but you do not have the right to sling around "virtue signalling" and "self-righteousness" when all fans should definitely be expecting the club to handle the club's image with the care and respect that it deserves, and it has not done so in this debacle.

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bluelagos added 12:14 - Mar 30 @saxonblue Where have I been? Watching Ipswich. Had a ST from before Ashton was an employee.
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Saxonblue74 added 13:37 - Mar 30 I think you're missing my point Bluelagos. Nobody, not one single supporter has called for change prior to this, yet you suggest that he has performed poorly? Unhappy players, sponsors and fans and the suggestion that player recruitment will now be difficult are all massive assumptions based solely on your opinion, which you are of course entitled to.
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Tedray added 14:32 - Mar 30 The bloodletting continues and to totally unfathomable depths.I could not have cared a hoot until I heard of the lies ,which was not good. The poor decision by the Club to appoint Ashton as Chairman has weakened the club. We need a separate individual in this role both as a figurehead and with the ability to restrain others beneath him.What Ahton has achieved here far outweighs his recent indescretion although only he will have to live with the embarresment of his actions. (?) Where will the club find another Ashton with the drive ability and knowledge of the club to improve it further. In my humble opinion it would be a ridiculous knee jerk action to sack him unless someone wishes to destroy the club as we know it.

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PortmanTerrorist added 15:13 - Mar 30 Much of this may be true, but to suggest that all he has done for the Club is 'get lucky' by recruiting McKenna is ridiculous, disingenuous, and ungrateful. Whichever way you cut it, this has been handled badly, and Ashton is not without blame as he (almost) admitted. What this does for me is shine a light on HIS need for a CEO and that his dual role is not so much too big, but takes away a critical level of oversight; in this case someone to sense check the Club and Mark's own response both internally and to the press.

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