| Why Ashton needs to go... 09:57 - Mar 31 with 5408 views | mrshallisfit |
What we have now is a disunited fanbase. That has been ripped open by Ashton and it cant be repaired. We all realise when we go to a game that the 29000 or so around us that we have different opinions than each other. I hear the Reform based chants. I hear the knuckle dragging comments on a regular basis. I have the seething contempt for people's apathy and people's bigotry. But I try to ignore it all and hope my club helps me to forget it all by whipping me away into an alternative world of one agenda: ITFC. Most of the time this season at home the players have done that successfully.
What Ashton has now done is created, in such a poorly timed way, a huge divide between fans that someways can never be healed. Its the same gap that occurs across society day to day.
So what to do for the immediate? There should be a protest on the day. Before the match perhaps in central town and then at the club but positioned to avoid the bus route of the players. That protest should be suspended about 45 mins before kick-off and then resumed straight after the match, hopefully in even bigger numbers.
Of course I want the players protected as much as possible, but if we are to believe various statements they are angry as well.
If you don't want any protest against Ashton because (a) you cant be arsed (b) or even worse you think Ashton was right and the club should be linked with Reform - then that shows the divide there is amongst fans anyway. I for example wouldn't want to share one micro-seconds oxygen with you for the rest of my life, as I have complete contempt for you.
I suppose that is the wonder of football. It brings together many various and varied people together under one shared experience. Our chairman has decided to blaze a floodlight onto these differences at just the worst moment, creating the perfect opposite of what he always said he wanted to achieve - fan togetherness. Of course, he did not do that deliberately. His actions were blinded by his raw undiluted ego.
I have been going to Portman Road for nearly 48 years and Ashton wont stop me going in the future. However, whilst he is in charged I don't feel the same about the club. I know its futile in some ways but I haven't worn anything ITFC related since the events of last week. I have been ashamed since then to be a supporter. That's why I will continue to protest against his presence till the moment he has gone. Any right-thinking fan with some kind of fucntioning moral compass should do the same. [Post edited 31 Mar 9:58]
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:05 - Mar 31 with 2542 views | Libero |
ASHTON OUT. |  | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:08 - Mar 31 with 2521 views | ReusersTown |
Ashton out | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... (n/t) on 10:13 - Mar 31 with 2484 views | bluelagos |
Ashton out [Post edited 31 Mar 10:14]
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:15 - Mar 31 with 2460 views | Charlie98 |
Ashton out | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:15 - Mar 31 with 2458 views | Paul |
Ashton Out |  | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:18 - Mar 31 with 2420 views | jasondozzell |
ASHTON OUT |  | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:23 - Mar 31 with 2402 views | Miaow |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:34 - Mar 31 with 2346 views | CobboldCrusty |
Ashton out |  | | |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 10:36 - Mar 31 with 2329 views | Kievthegreat |
Ashton out! |  | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:03 - Mar 31 with 2184 views | Wright1 |
Ashton out | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:08 - Mar 31 with 2149 views | stuyarmouthblue |
Ashton out | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:25 - Mar 31 with 2083 views | thebooks |
ASHTON OUT |  | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:33 - Mar 31 with 2059 views | victorysquad |
I don't think anyone in the fanbase would seriously think Ashton was right and the club should be linked with Reform. So I doubt very much anyone thinks that was a good idea.
Where the difference of opinion comes is how we move forward from this point, and that is because we don't have any real detail on what happened. I am surprised people are not starting off with the introduction made, who is that person that made it? where are they from? what political views do they have? Then you have the ownership group, do any of them have any political views? What about MA, has he got any previous with the National Front etc?
We can all argue that whatever the situation, MA could have come out in a Paul Lambert kind of way and just call people out, and he has not done that. Whether that is because he is trying to save his job, whether he is trying to protect others from losing their job, or whether he sees nothing wrong with what is happened, that is not clear. | |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:36 - Mar 31 with 2038 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:33 - Mar 31 by victorysquad |
I don't think anyone in the fanbase would seriously think Ashton was right and the club should be linked with Reform. So I doubt very much anyone thinks that was a good idea.
Where the difference of opinion comes is how we move forward from this point, and that is because we don't have any real detail on what happened. I am surprised people are not starting off with the introduction made, who is that person that made it? where are they from? what political views do they have? Then you have the ownership group, do any of them have any political views? What about MA, has he got any previous with the National Front etc?
We can all argue that whatever the situation, MA could have come out in a Paul Lambert kind of way and just call people out, and he has not done that. Whether that is because he is trying to save his job, whether he is trying to protect others from losing their job, or whether he sees nothing wrong with what is happened, that is not clear. |
Until Ashton leaves or makes a full and proper specific apology, the official club line is in opposition to your opening paragraph. Either the club thinks differently or he needs to go. |  |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:48 - Mar 31 with 1995 views | Libero |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:33 - Mar 31 by victorysquad |
I don't think anyone in the fanbase would seriously think Ashton was right and the club should be linked with Reform. So I doubt very much anyone thinks that was a good idea.
Where the difference of opinion comes is how we move forward from this point, and that is because we don't have any real detail on what happened. I am surprised people are not starting off with the introduction made, who is that person that made it? where are they from? what political views do they have? Then you have the ownership group, do any of them have any political views? What about MA, has he got any previous with the National Front etc?
We can all argue that whatever the situation, MA could have come out in a Paul Lambert kind of way and just call people out, and he has not done that. Whether that is because he is trying to save his job, whether he is trying to protect others from losing their job, or whether he sees nothing wrong with what is happened, that is not clear. |
Ashton is staying quiet because he knows if he publicly strays too far from the reality that he invited Farage then Reform will out him- so more personal damage.
He tried to lie about various facets of it, he insulted supporters intelligence- it didn't work, he was caught out.
Only option then was to apologise, but again- he can't apologise for inviting Reform, because he knows full well what they're like and that all private communications will be leaked and become public- which results not only in damage to the clubs reputation, but potential irreversible damage to his own.
So we get a pathetic, highly edited non-apology, full of minimising and attempts to deflect responsibility, while simultaneously claiming to "unreservedly apologise"
He's played himself - driven by his own ego/greed/self-importance/whatever.
Ashton knows what he did was wrong- that's why he tried to cover it up.
Introductions-wise, there are people affiliated with Ipswich Town Football Club who also have a affiliation with Reform/Nigel Farage - Occam's Razor suggests that could be how the connection between Farage and Ashton was made.
I can't claim to know Ashton's personal politics and I don't care about them, but the question of why he would do what he has done, is in part why he has to go- it's purely self serving. I saw someone suggest he's maybe sounding out a sporting role in a potential Reform government, I've no idea if that's true- but it's exactly the kind of self-serving rubbish that would seemingly justify the unjustifiable.
You can't invite a quasi-fascist for lunch, lie about it, get caught out, then give the world's worst apology without repercussions.
ASHTON OUT. | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:50 - Mar 31 with 1972 views | ZedRodgers |
ASHTON OUT |  |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:01 - Mar 31 with 1909 views | NederlandseBlue |
I think the situation might be salvageable but, as it stands, Ashton out. | |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:02 - Mar 31 with 1888 views | ZedRodgers |
I’m convinced Ashton is going to lean into the divide now - it looks like the only way he thinks he can save his job.
The apology was carefully worded, all about “elements” of the fanbase being hurt. And now the club seems to be stepping back, creating another void, and just watching the fallout play out. What started as people who were offended vs people who weren’t has now twisted into something worse - those who can’t let it go vs those adamant we just move on.
If any of that is even remotely true, then we need to collectively draw a line under this ourselves and see it for what it is - people at the top of this club making decisions that are no longer in the club’s best interests. And if that’s the case, they should be told clearly that they’re no longer fit to be its custodians. | |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:03 - Mar 31 with 1874 views | J2BLUE |
Ashton IN.
Until 4th May. Then if the club want to replace him, great. Would give them time to find someone else who is ready to hit the ground running. |  |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:07 - Mar 31 with 1841 views | victorysquad |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 11:48 - Mar 31 by Libero |
Ashton is staying quiet because he knows if he publicly strays too far from the reality that he invited Farage then Reform will out him- so more personal damage.
He tried to lie about various facets of it, he insulted supporters intelligence- it didn't work, he was caught out.
Only option then was to apologise, but again- he can't apologise for inviting Reform, because he knows full well what they're like and that all private communications will be leaked and become public- which results not only in damage to the clubs reputation, but potential irreversible damage to his own.
So we get a pathetic, highly edited non-apology, full of minimising and attempts to deflect responsibility, while simultaneously claiming to "unreservedly apologise"
He's played himself - driven by his own ego/greed/self-importance/whatever.
Ashton knows what he did was wrong- that's why he tried to cover it up.
Introductions-wise, there are people affiliated with Ipswich Town Football Club who also have a affiliation with Reform/Nigel Farage - Occam's Razor suggests that could be how the connection between Farage and Ashton was made.
I can't claim to know Ashton's personal politics and I don't care about them, but the question of why he would do what he has done, is in part why he has to go- it's purely self serving. I saw someone suggest he's maybe sounding out a sporting role in a potential Reform government, I've no idea if that's true- but it's exactly the kind of self-serving rubbish that would seemingly justify the unjustifiable.
You can't invite a quasi-fascist for lunch, lie about it, get caught out, then give the world's worst apology without repercussions.
ASHTON OUT. |
If what you say is true, and the ownership group had nothing to do with it, then one can only assume the ownership group will act accordingly. they are not idiots. I suspect they are stuck in-between a rock and a hard place, right now at least and probably want to get to the end of the season getting promoted, which is probably what a large of chunk of the support base want as well.
I can totally understand why people feel that is setting principles aside, but I would not make an assumption that people can't be arsed or are Reform supporters and love the association, just because they don't want to start a mass protest. | |
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:09 - Mar 31 with 1814 views | Libero |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:02 - Mar 31 by ZedRodgers |
I’m convinced Ashton is going to lean into the divide now - it looks like the only way he thinks he can save his job.
The apology was carefully worded, all about “elements” of the fanbase being hurt. And now the club seems to be stepping back, creating another void, and just watching the fallout play out. What started as people who were offended vs people who weren’t has now twisted into something worse - those who can’t let it go vs those adamant we just move on.
If any of that is even remotely true, then we need to collectively draw a line under this ourselves and see it for what it is - people at the top of this club making decisions that are no longer in the club’s best interests. And if that’s the case, they should be told clearly that they’re no longer fit to be its custodians. |
He's slithered into the plausible deniability between the local press being told it wasn't an official visit and the national press discovering Ashton invited him.
All this talk of an internal inquest, etc - total b0llocks. He knows what he's done and is very aware what he's doing. Just incase it wasn't enough to conceal his tracks with some, he even threw in lines about "mistruths"
I think the fact that a man who has been caught lying has the bare faced cheek to complain about "mistruths" is bad enough, but there we go.
It's that shelter that Ashton has constructed for himself and the plausible deniability that not only keeps him in situ, but that means that people who wish to maintain their professional with the club (like Blue Monday Podcast) are basically muted from being straight up and down about it, unless they want to take an active stand.
Ashton is hoping this burns out, dies down and goes away.
I don't think it'll be that easy. | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:11 - Mar 31 with 1796 views | Libero |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:07 - Mar 31 by victorysquad |
If what you say is true, and the ownership group had nothing to do with it, then one can only assume the ownership group will act accordingly. they are not idiots. I suspect they are stuck in-between a rock and a hard place, right now at least and probably want to get to the end of the season getting promoted, which is probably what a large of chunk of the support base want as well.
I can totally understand why people feel that is setting principles aside, but I would not make an assumption that people can't be arsed or are Reform supporters and love the association, just because they don't want to start a mass protest. |
I'd be massively surprised if the ownership group at *anything* to do with it. They want to protect their financial investment and inviting a quasi-fascist to lunch doesn't do that.
Not sure I fully grasp your last paragraph- welcome an explanation/clarification though. [Post edited 31 Mar 12:11]
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| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:13 - Mar 31 with 1770 views | itfc1108 |
Ashton and Werhun out. | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:14 - Mar 31 with 1751 views | mrshallisfit |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:03 - Mar 31 by J2BLUE |
Ashton IN.
Until 4th May. Then if the club want to replace him, great. Would give them time to find someone else who is ready to hit the ground running. |
Id like them to be looking now and then get rid as soon as our season is finished. In the mean time we have to make Ashton's life as unbearable as possible without impacting on the players. | | | |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:17 - Mar 31 with 1731 views | bluelagos |
| Why Ashton needs to go... on 12:01 - Mar 31 by NederlandseBlue |
I think the situation might be salvageable but, as it stands, Ashton out. |
You don't give the arsonist the fire extinguisher! | |
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