| In defence of Ashton 14:49 - Mar 27 with 3528 views | Westcountryblue |
Amazed reading that fans would be happy to see Ashton resign.
I don't think it can be disputed that inviting Nigel Farage into the club was a naive and pretty poor decision. However, i think Ashton has a fairly good amount of credit in the bank.
When we arrived we were in a total mess. Decrepit stadium, thrusting 17 year olds out on to the pitch only for them to get seriously injured- and in some cases having to partially fund their own ops, players preferring to train and do their rehab in the David Lloyd, woefully inexperienced and understaffed departments, a totally dischenchanted fan base that had been force fed the 'little old Ipswich' mantra as we eagerly awaited our 3 bosman signings of the season, 20 years of absolute nothingness, countless mangerial failures, having our pants consistently pulled down by greaseball agents and the likes of Barry Fry, CEO's and MD's with no footballing experience, bending over backwards at the first sniff of money when bids came in for our top players like Adam Webster...The club was a total shambles and a mess. Fast forward 2026, two promotion later and we a fully refurbished ground, new training facilities coming this summer, 28-29k most weeks in the Championship and a club to be genuinly proud of. Ashton took a massive risk on appointing someone like McKenna and i think if anybody deserves forgiveness, it's him.
The witch hunt, media coverage and indignation of fans that has ensued is quite frankly embarassing. We're overlooking 4-5 years of incredible progress vs 2-3 hours of poor decision making.
I'll get absolutely anhilated on here for this, but we've been lucky to have someone like MA in our corner over the past few years and he's been a greater fighter and ambassador for our club. Downvote all you want, but i for one am pretty grateful for his efforts and haven't forgot those emotional scenes when we were promoted against all odds. [Post edited 27 Mar 14:53]
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:52 - Mar 27 with 2118 views | bluelagos |
The same Mark Ashton that threatened Blue Action because he didn't like a banner? That Mark Ashton? |  |
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:53 - Mar 27 with 2103 views | jayessess |
To get forgiveness you have to actually acknowledge fault, don't you? |  |
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:53 - Mar 27 with 2091 views | WeirdFishes |
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:53 - Mar 27 with 2089 views | LeoMuff |
On the face of it done a good job, but surely any basically competent executive given money far in excess of most budgets could do these things.
Let’s not compare to Evans who was as bad an owner as it’s possible to imagine. |  |
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:54 - Mar 27 with 2065 views | SuperTommySmith |
You’re not wrong about the bigger picture that Ashton’s done an absolutely incredible job, and that’s exactly what makes this whole situation so difficult for a lot of fans to process. The turnaround over the past few years has been remarkable, and he’s been a huge part of dragging the club from chaos to something everyone can genuinely feel proud of again.
But I think where people are really struggling isn’t just the decision itself. It’s how it was handled afterwards. The initial controversy could probably have been contained with a straightforward, honest statement or even a simple apology. Instead, the team at the top appeared to try and talk their way around it and lied, and that’s what’s ended up frustrating and upsetting a lot of people. It’s created a sense of distrust that didn’t need to be there.
And I don’t think it’s fair to reduce this to “2–3 hours of poor decision making.” This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment “you’re in town, fancy popping in?” situation. It was clearly preplanned and would have involved multiple people and a degree of thought. That’s why it feels like more than just a slip-up; it’s a pretty serious misjudgement.
So yeah, two things can be true at once: Ashton’s been outstanding for the club overall, and at the same time, this situation has been handled badly enough that fans are right to question his position at the club. | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:55 - Mar 27 with 2045 views | Westcountryblue |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:53 - Mar 27 by LeoMuff |
On the face of it done a good job, but surely any basically competent executive given money far in excess of most budgets could do these things.
Let’s not compare to Evans who was as bad an owner as it’s possible to imagine. |
Were we flush during our promotion from the Championship last time? | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:55 - Mar 27 with 2039 views | CastroSito |
He's a Chairman and CEO.
Feel like i'm having some sort of fever dream reading these posts so terrified of Ipswich Town FC without Mark Ashton. I get fans are scarred by the ME years, but we have different owners and are a different club to who we were 5 years ago. Part of that, is down to Ashton. But only a part. There are other good chairman, and other good CEOs. I trust the owners will make a good appointment.
You don't get to lie to fans and use our club in the manner Ashton has. [Post edited 27 Mar 14:57]
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:56 - Mar 27 with 2011 views | MattinLondon |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:52 - Mar 27 by bluelagos |
The same Mark Ashton that threatened Blue Action because he didn't like a banner? That Mark Ashton? |
Did he? |  | | |
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:58 - Mar 27 with 1983 views | bluelagos |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:56 - Mar 27 by MattinLondon |
Did he? |
He did.
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:58 - Mar 27 with 1973 views | Westcountryblue |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:54 - Mar 27 by SuperTommySmith |
You’re not wrong about the bigger picture that Ashton’s done an absolutely incredible job, and that’s exactly what makes this whole situation so difficult for a lot of fans to process. The turnaround over the past few years has been remarkable, and he’s been a huge part of dragging the club from chaos to something everyone can genuinely feel proud of again.
But I think where people are really struggling isn’t just the decision itself. It’s how it was handled afterwards. The initial controversy could probably have been contained with a straightforward, honest statement or even a simple apology. Instead, the team at the top appeared to try and talk their way around it and lied, and that’s what’s ended up frustrating and upsetting a lot of people. It’s created a sense of distrust that didn’t need to be there.
And I don’t think it’s fair to reduce this to “2–3 hours of poor decision making.” This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment “you’re in town, fancy popping in?” situation. It was clearly preplanned and would have involved multiple people and a degree of thought. That’s why it feels like more than just a slip-up; it’s a pretty serious misjudgement.
So yeah, two things can be true at once: Ashton’s been outstanding for the club overall, and at the same time, this situation has been handled badly enough that fans are right to question his position at the club. |
I think its far less serious than the likes of David Sheepshanks recklessly spending and in doing so screwing over numerous local creditors who didn't get paid.
Or, the death by a thousand cuts that we had to endure with Marcus Evans, who for many years, refused to even be publicly pictured or acknolwedge the fans. [Post edited 27 Mar 14:59]
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| In defence of Ashton on 14:58 - Mar 27 with 1972 views | N2_Blue |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:56 - Mar 27 by MattinLondon |
Did he? |
Yes |  |
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| In defence of Ashton on 15:00 - Mar 27 with 1914 views | MattinLondon |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:58 - Mar 27 by bluelagos |
He did.
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Oh, must have missed that. That’s awful. | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:01 - Mar 27 with 1886 views | ReusersTown |
'If anyone deserves forgiveness it's him' Jesus wept. The fact that you're calling it a witch hunt is all we need to know about you I think. These are completely reasonable complaints and grounds for requesting his resignation. | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:03 - Mar 27 with 1858 views | bluelagos |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:00 - Mar 27 by MattinLondon |
Oh, must have missed that. That’s awful. |
It is - imagine the ego required to talk about "my stadium"...
Get rid, move on. | |
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| In defence of Ashton on 15:06 - Mar 27 with 1800 views | MattinLondon |
He is not irreplaceable and if he leaves he will be replaced and forgotten quite quickly. | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:07 - Mar 27 with 1805 views | SWLondonBlue93 |
I wouldn't be happy about it at all, in the sense that the club has been damaged needlessly, but I really don't agree with this idea that Mark Ashton is just some innocent guy that was taken advantage of one afternoon by nasty Mr Farage. Maybe I should give him more benefit of the doubt but I just don't see it. | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:08 - Mar 27 with 1777 views | Westcountryblue |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:00 - Mar 27 by MattinLondon |
Oh, must have missed that. That’s awful. |
Shouting, supposedly swearing isn't a great look or way to engage with local stakeholders, but you can see why the club might be defensive about digs at pricing structures, third kits etc when they have to keep up with FFP rules. It could be be seen as divisive and not really in the club's interest. | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:10 - Mar 27 with 1723 views | Westcountryblue |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:06 - Mar 27 by MattinLondon |
He is not irreplaceable and if he leaves he will be replaced and forgotten quite quickly. |
Let's just remember all of those who came before...Sheepshanks, Bowden, Clegg, Milne...all people with zero industry experience who totally had their pants pulled down. Our last MD, Ian Milne had the presence and aura of a Waitrose manager.
This industry is cut throat, full of greaseballs and while MA might have his faults, he's probably someone you want on your side of the ring in this business. [Post edited 27 Mar 15:11]
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| In defence of Ashton on 15:11 - Mar 27 with 1700 views | N2_Blue |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:08 - Mar 27 by Westcountryblue |
Shouting, supposedly swearing isn't a great look or way to engage with local stakeholders, but you can see why the club might be defensive about digs at pricing structures, third kits etc when they have to keep up with FFP rules. It could be be seen as divisive and not really in the club's interest. |
Then enter dialogue and explain your reasons like any civilised human being would do.
Shouting and sweating to a fan's group the club is supposedly meant to be engaging with is not how do conduct yourself. | |
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| In defence of Ashton on 15:20 - Mar 27 with 1611 views | jayessess |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:08 - Mar 27 by Westcountryblue |
Shouting, supposedly swearing isn't a great look or way to engage with local stakeholders, but you can see why the club might be defensive about digs at pricing structures, third kits etc when they have to keep up with FFP rules. It could be be seen as divisive and not really in the club's interest. |
Cool, cool, just so I'm down with the rules here.
1) Match-going fans expressing opinions in Mark Ashton's stadium = NOT OK
2) Having an unrelated politician make propaganda for their political party in Mark Ashton's stadium = OK | |
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| In defence of Ashton on 15:22 - Mar 27 with 1579 views | LeoMuff |
| In defence of Ashton on 14:55 - Mar 27 by Westcountryblue |
Were we flush during our promotion from the Championship last time? |
No but we certainly weren’t paupers. One of the highest budgets outside of parachute payments I would think. | |
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| In defence of Ashton on 15:23 - Mar 27 with 1564 views | Westcountryblue |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:20 - Mar 27 by jayessess |
Cool, cool, just so I'm down with the rules here.
1) Match-going fans expressing opinions in Mark Ashton's stadium = NOT OK
2) Having an unrelated politician make propaganda for their political party in Mark Ashton's stadium = OK |
I don't think i said either of those things. In fact, i acknowledged that your second point was a big mistake and very naive.
You can however understand the club not being too happy about banners attacking pricing structures when they have to keep pace with FFP. | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:24 - Mar 27 with 1537 views | ReusersTown |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:08 - Mar 27 by Westcountryblue |
Shouting, supposedly swearing isn't a great look or way to engage with local stakeholders, but you can see why the club might be defensive about digs at pricing structures, third kits etc when they have to keep up with FFP rules. It could be be seen as divisive and not really in the club's interest. |
The absolute irony of you. How much is he actually paying you? Or are you just genuinely a desperate reformer? | | | |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:27 - Mar 27 with 1497 views | TheMoralMajority |
| In defence of Ashton on 15:23 - Mar 27 by Westcountryblue |
I don't think i said either of those things. In fact, i acknowledged that your second point was a big mistake and very naive.
You can however understand the club not being too happy about banners attacking pricing structures when they have to keep pace with FFP. |
"a big mistake and very naive."
It was not naive. It was disingenuous and calculated. And then they lied, gaslit and lied some more to try to cover up for it.
I'm not sure how you can believe that there can be any trust after this? No one wanted this (well, some, but very few), but we are in the position we are in and it is entirely of his own making. |  |
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| In defence of Ashton on 15:28 - Mar 27 with 1476 views | hunty21 |
Completely agree its cos there's no ipswich game so love to chat crap until then , blown out of proportion its like hes bet all the clubs money on the lottery and bankrupt us, nope its that his PR team and ballsed up the statement and not outlined the true facts , most of these people sre keyboard warriors and lole to be negative and be squeaky clean or harp on about Robson Mills Cobnolds wouldnt of done this etc | | | |
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