| My son asked me if the club wants people like him 11:43 - Mar 28 with 8091 views | BostonManorBlue |
I've supported this club for nearly 50 years. My son is 13 and he's just getting to the age where following Town means something to him — not just the football, but belonging to something bigger. He's mixed race.
I'm not here to tell anyone how to vote or what to think about any politician. That's your business.
What I will say is that when my boy saw those photos this week, he asked me whether the club wanted people like him there. I didn't have a good answer.
I don't think most of us — on either side of this argument — want a single kid to feel that way about our club. That's not what Ipswich Town is. That's not what Portman Road is.
I don't care about Ashton's job. I don't care about the politics. I care that my son feels welcome at the ground, and right now he doesn't.
If you think this has all been an overreaction, I'd just ask you to hold that thought for a moment and consider that for some families it wasn't abstract — it was personal.
We've got a promotion to fight for. Let's do that together. But "together" has to mean everyone, including my boy. |  | | |  |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 20:59 - Mar 28 with 1288 views | BlueArmy96 |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 20:52 - Mar 28 by FrimleyBlue |
Do you mind me asking. How do you feel about the supporters group statement. I was disappointed that it looked like ashton had written it for them. |
I think they're in a difficult position, with their close position with the club. Its why, I'll always keep Rainbow Tractors separate as I can then speak out honestly. | | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:01 - Mar 28 with 1270 views | BlueArmy96 |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 20:54 - Mar 28 by DJR |
Has Ashton reached out to you, or otherwise reacted to your statement?
He certainly should, or this community thing is just lip service. [Post edited 28 Mar 20:56]
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No... no one at the club has reached out | | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:06 - Mar 28 with 1249 views | RonFearonsHair |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:01 - Mar 28 by BlueArmy96 |
No... no one at the club has reached out |
That's really grim. |  | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:14 - Mar 28 with 1213 views | DJR |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:01 - Mar 28 by BlueArmy96 |
No... no one at the club has reached out |
That's pretty appalling.
And has anything taken the place of Rainbow Laces? I am certainly not aware of anything similar at Portman Road this season. [Post edited 28 Mar 21:16]
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:17 - Mar 28 with 1199 views | BlueArmy96 |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:14 - Mar 28 by DJR |
That's pretty appalling.
And has anything taken the place of Rainbow Laces? I am certainly not aware of anything similar at Portman Road this season. [Post edited 28 Mar 21:16]
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In the EFL, there's the Rainbow Ball campaign in February which coincides with Football vs Homophobia. This season, the club didn't do a dedicated matchday as only one home match fell in that time frame, which was the club's dedicated Level Playing Field campaign.
Very disappointing, and the club know how I feel about it. Hoping whichever division we are in next year, things can happen. | | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:28 - Mar 28 with 1175 views | NewcyBlue |
My initial thoughts when all this came out was that I wouldn’t bring my mixed race kids to a match with me or even buy them shirts etc.
That’s still my train of thought.
Whilst Ashton is at the helm I don’t believe the morals and values align with those that we allow our kids to be exposed to. |  |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:30 - Mar 28 with 1165 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:28 - Mar 28 by NewcyBlue |
My initial thoughts when all this came out was that I wouldn’t bring my mixed race kids to a match with me or even buy them shirts etc.
That’s still my train of thought.
Whilst Ashton is at the helm I don’t believe the morals and values align with those that we allow our kids to be exposed to. |
I assume you when you say that you wouldn't bring them, you mean you wouldn't attend either.
It is a massive shame that decent people feel unwelcome. |  |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:36 - Mar 28 with 1141 views | GlasgowBlue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:01 - Mar 28 by BlueArmy96 |
No... no one at the club has reached out |
That's appalling. |  |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:47 - Mar 28 with 1095 views | NewcyBlue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:30 - Mar 28 by Nthsuffolkblue |
I assume you when you say that you wouldn't bring them, you mean you wouldn't attend either.
It is a massive shame that decent people feel unwelcome. |
I have no idea to be honest. A town game is more than a match, it’s a chance to see friends, it’s a chance to get down to Colchester crem and sit where we scattered my mums ashes, it’s a few days of being where I used to call home.
I can always do that without going to a match. | |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:54 - Mar 28 with 1066 views | runaround |
It upsets me to see how your son is feeling because of what has happened.
Every one should feel welcome at our club and I and I’m sure a massive majority of the fanbase will do everything we can to make him and everyone else who is wondering if the club wants their support feel welcome and safe.
We must not let those who try to divide us in all aspects win. We are all part of one race, the human race, a race of all shades of colour, gender, sexuality etc etc.
I wish you and your son many happy times watching ITFC |  | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 22:00 - Mar 28 with 1055 views | Churchman |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:28 - Mar 28 by NewcyBlue |
My initial thoughts when all this came out was that I wouldn’t bring my mixed race kids to a match with me or even buy them shirts etc.
That’s still my train of thought.
Whilst Ashton is at the helm I don’t believe the morals and values align with those that we allow our kids to be exposed to. |
I’ll say it again. The morals and values of the club are not reflected by Ashton or any particular individuals in the club.
They are reflected by the crowd. The people. I don’t see it in them. If I did I’d deal with it if it was for example a seat neighbour or say out of the back of West Stand. If it was a significant or notable percentage of the 28,000 people there, I wouldn’t attend and would call it out. |  | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 22:08 - Mar 28 with 1036 views | NewcyBlue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 22:00 - Mar 28 by Churchman |
I’ll say it again. The morals and values of the club are not reflected by Ashton or any particular individuals in the club.
They are reflected by the crowd. The people. I don’t see it in them. If I did I’d deal with it if it was for example a seat neighbour or say out of the back of West Stand. If it was a significant or notable percentage of the 28,000 people there, I wouldn’t attend and would call it out. |
I appreciate your point of view, I don’t necessarily agree with you.
The beautiful thing about football is you could be stood next to anyone, of any political views, you would both be there for the same thing. Politics weren’t involved.
Now, Ashton has let Reform use ITFC as a platform, legitimising the message.
It’s as close to an endorsement without words that you can get. | |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 22:34 - Mar 28 with 997 views | Churchman |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 22:08 - Mar 28 by NewcyBlue |
I appreciate your point of view, I don’t necessarily agree with you.
The beautiful thing about football is you could be stood next to anyone, of any political views, you would both be there for the same thing. Politics weren’t involved.
Now, Ashton has let Reform use ITFC as a platform, legitimising the message.
It’s as close to an endorsement without words that you can get. |
But the people you stand or sit next to haven’t changed in a week. They’re still the same and I bet politics will be the last thing on their minds.
Put it this way, if my seat neighbour(s) want to start a conversation about politics, I’ll be shutting it down immediately, but I truly cannot imagine that happening.
As for legitimising the message, they really haven’t in my view. I don’t know how many people work at the club but I doubt they all rushed for his autograph and cheered him out of the door. I suspect the few that clapped eyes on him felt queasy at the sight. Flippin hope so.
Everyone knows what Reform is. And I stand by my view that Ashton is not ITFC in any way shape or form. He never was. He’s an employee.
For the record I never viewed Evans that way either. He was just a catastrophically bad owner who told a lie once a year to rake in ST money. A Dementor. The club was the 16k poor s0ds including me that endured it and the few people in the club left who cared about it. | | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 22:46 - Mar 28 with 961 views | N2_Blue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 20:59 - Mar 28 by BlueArmy96 |
I think they're in a difficult position, with their close position with the club. Its why, I'll always keep Rainbow Tractors separate as I can then speak out honestly. |
Very sensible.
Without wanting to be harsh to those within the official supporters club, (im sure they mean well) but as a group they are a waste of time really. I can't think of anything they've really achieved or represented the fans for.
How it seems to me but happy to be corrected |  |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 22:49 - Mar 28 with 950 views | N2_Blue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:01 - Mar 28 by BlueArmy96 |
No... no one at the club has reached out |
Appalling, but not surprising one bit. It also just gives further suport that piss poor apology was just lip service really and not actually sincere o heatfelt in anyway. If it had been Ashton would have reached out to all the groups that made official statements on behalf of the supporters.
Sad times | |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 23:58 - Mar 28 with 852 views | Indotractor |
I’m a long time lurker who doesn’t post regularly.
As an ex-academy coach at the club from many years ago, and a father of mixed race children, I am horrified by this.
The famous words of Sir Bobby Robson might give your son a bit of perspective about what this club truly is —and what it isn’t.
He is the club. Ashton isn’t.
[Post edited 29 Mar 2:09]
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 00:09 - Mar 29 with 803 views | armchaircritic59 |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:28 - Mar 28 by NewcyBlue |
My initial thoughts when all this came out was that I wouldn’t bring my mixed race kids to a match with me or even buy them shirts etc.
That’s still my train of thought.
Whilst Ashton is at the helm I don’t believe the morals and values align with those that we allow our kids to be exposed to. |
All I can say on this post, is don't cut off your nose to spite your face. If indeed there are elements at the club whose views aren't what you would call all inclusive, the best thing to do is to show them they're not getting away with it, and show up with your kids. The equivalent of sticking 2 fingures up, or these days 1! Don't let them win. I speak as a member of a " minority " group myself, not race based. |  | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 08:38 - Mar 29 with 667 views | Rozz |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:28 - Mar 28 by NewcyBlue |
My initial thoughts when all this came out was that I wouldn’t bring my mixed race kids to a match with me or even buy them shirts etc.
That’s still my train of thought.
Whilst Ashton is at the helm I don’t believe the morals and values align with those that we allow our kids to be exposed to. |
And this is the reality that many will fail to understand because it doesn’t affect them directly. How do I rationalise supporting a business* that has nailed their colours so publicly to a political party that would quietly prefer families like ours didn’t exist?
What message does it send to my fiancées Hindu family about my principles, and the values our future kids will be raised with?
It’s a farce that the club have allowed themselves to be represented in this way. It’s shockingly poor leadership. Any other ordinary organisation I would vote with my feet, but this is so much harder emotionally as the club means so much to me.
*I say business as I’ll always support the club, which is transcendent of any chairman, CEO or member of staff. I just don’t know if I can contribute to the fortunes of those in charge right now in good conscience and still uphold the values I need to at home. THEY put me in this position.
Sh*tshow. |  | | |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 08:51 - Mar 29 with 632 views | vapour_trail |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:01 - Mar 28 by BlueArmy96 |
No... no one at the club has reached out |
That’s really telling isn’t it. Shameful.
You’re absolutely brilliant. Keep on keeping on. |  |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 09:29 - Mar 29 with 526 views | Swansea_Blue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 13:39 - Mar 28 by waveneyblue |
Rules of TWTD Left edition.
Ask a question to a poster suggesting he's rascist
Receive answer from said poster, who couldn't be more clearer that he isnt.
Still call him racist anyway.
Rinse and repeat till boredom ensues.
I do wonder what the legal position is, with people constantly throwing these kind of acquisitions around whilst having ZERO proof apart from assumptions.
Im sure somebody can tell me. |
A racist would say that 
Joking! |  |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 09:29 - Mar 29 with 528 views | CopfordBlue |
The club (and we as fans are the club more than any current owners, CEO, chairman, sponsors or even manager and players are) NEED him and the thousands more who feel the same way as he does now more than ever. | |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 09:36 - Mar 29 with 507 views | GlasgowBlue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 23:58 - Mar 28 by Indotractor |
I’m a long time lurker who doesn’t post regularly.
As an ex-academy coach at the club from many years ago, and a father of mixed race children, I am horrified by this.
The famous words of Sir Bobby Robson might give your son a bit of perspective about what this club truly is —and what it isn’t.
He is the club. Ashton isn’t.
[Post edited 29 Mar 2:09]
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That’s the next Blue Action banner right there. No noisy protests which will hurt the team. A quiet dignified stand, reaffirming our club’s values and right in the face of Ashton for the entire game.
And the is absolutely no way Ashton could object or get it removed. | |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 09:50 - Mar 29 with 478 views | Swansea_Blue |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 23:58 - Mar 28 by Indotractor |
I’m a long time lurker who doesn’t post regularly.
As an ex-academy coach at the club from many years ago, and a father of mixed race children, I am horrified by this.
The famous words of Sir Bobby Robson might give your son a bit of perspective about what this club truly is —and what it isn’t.
He is the club. Ashton isn’t.
[Post edited 29 Mar 2:09]
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That’s a superb contribution, thank you. Fully agree and that was what I was trying to articulate on the first page but couldn’t get close to the words of the great man himself. The “club” is us and I’m pretty sure most of us would be horrified to hear of anyone who now felt they didn’t belong or felt threatened by forces this incident has unleashed. | |
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 09:53 - Mar 29 with 472 views | DJR |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 21:17 - Mar 28 by BlueArmy96 |
In the EFL, there's the Rainbow Ball campaign in February which coincides with Football vs Homophobia. This season, the club didn't do a dedicated matchday as only one home match fell in that time frame, which was the club's dedicated Level Playing Field campaign.
Very disappointing, and the club know how I feel about it. Hoping whichever division we are in next year, things can happen. |
On a related theme, I am not aware of the club giving any real prominence to Kick It Out which is against all forms of discrimination.
And visiting certain Premier League grounds last season, there appeared to be permanent and prominent adverts against racism and the like, something which I don't think I've seen at Ipswich.
Indeed, rather than a protest at the Birmingham game, I think the best thing Blue Action could do would be to publicise Kick It Out, but sadly a TIFO or something to that effect would probably incur the wrath of Ashton and not be allowed into the ground. [Post edited 29 Mar 9:57]
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| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 10:59 - Mar 29 with 383 views | positivity |
| My son asked me if the club wants people like him on 00:09 - Mar 29 by armchaircritic59 |
All I can say on this post, is don't cut off your nose to spite your face. If indeed there are elements at the club whose views aren't what you would call all inclusive, the best thing to do is to show them they're not getting away with it, and show up with your kids. The equivalent of sticking 2 fingures up, or these days 1! Don't let them win. I speak as a member of a " minority " group myself, not race based. |
while i agree in principle, it's easier if you're taking the abuse rather than potentially opening your kids up to it by neanderthals emboldened by the faages of this world.
what's done is done, we can't rewind the clock, but now it's happened then the club should be doubling down on positive messaging on inclusivity and cracking down on any hate speech to make the club a more welcoming place | |
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