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Not sure I've seen this covered yet. Today's EDP/EEN covers yesterday's Reform rally up here in Norwich, and covers Führage discussing why he was at Portman Road:
"He revealed he had travelled to Portman Road to discuss Reform's opposition to the government's independent football regulator, which was introduced last year to oversee clubs' financial conduct and test the suitability of owners."
I'm not too well-versed in the proposals for a regulator - is it a fairly defined 'Pro Money' vs 'Pro Fans' divide, or is it more nuanced than that, with decent arguments for and against?
Given the nature of the visit, and how it was used by Reform, would it be fair to assume that Ashton is against the introduction of a regulator?
Why Ashton met Führage on 12:57 - Apr 1 by nrb1985
Also, Mark Ashton being Reform supporter would be up there with some of the least surprising things I've ever heard.
As you say though, he's brought himself and the club into disrepute and shown himself to be naive and frankly negligent - which is why he needs to go. Now or in the summer.
Really? Why do you think it unsurprising if it turns out to be a Reform supporter?
Given his background in football club community work and the stuff he's done at Town prior to Farage's visit, I see few public hints of any inclination towards Reform. He doesn't come across as notably "anti woke".
Why Ashton met Führage on 13:22 - Apr 1 by Guthrum
Really? Why do you think it unsurprising if it turns out to be a Reform supporter?
Given his background in football club community work and the stuff he's done at Town prior to Farage's visit, I see few public hints of any inclination towards Reform. He doesn't come across as notably "anti woke".
Also Ashton does seem to know how to get practical things done, or how to get others to get practical things done. This alone makes him unsuitable for Reform given the frequent press reports about their ineffectual councillors.
Why Ashton met Führage on 12:23 - Apr 1 by MattinLondon
If Ashton simply said that he met Farage in order to ascertain where Reform stood on the proposed football regulator, I wouldn’t have issues with that. And if he met with a leading Tory etc to discuss their position on this, I wouldn’t have an issue - indeed, that would be quite a sensible thing to do.
But the ‘10 Farage’ shirts, the PR stunts etc - Ashton out.
Anyway, of course Ashton is against the Football Regulator - anything that limits his egotistical abuse of power he’s going to oppose. Maybe that’ll be the club position but in my opinion that’ll be his position.
Ashton out.
[Post edited 1 Apr 12:25]
The whole question of 'Ashton's Position' vs 'ITFC's Position' is an interesting one.
Despite their sporting connections, I would assume that the ownership group have limited knowledge of the finer workings of English football - hence their need of Ashton when it came to identifying a suitable club to purchase.
With that in mind, it's probably fair to assume that a good part of their decision-making will be based upon advice from trusted UK sources, who will then guide them on decisions and, potentially, what position the club should take when it comes to lobbying, and votes at EFL/FA level?
Is this potentially yet another area where Ashton (and his cronies such as Werhun) wearing all the hats has the potential to cause issues? If the club needs to form an opinion on something, or has to decide how to vote on an issue, a lot of the insight and advice will be coming from one person.
Another reason (even if Ashton does depart) for the CEO and Chairman roles to be split again.
I suppose this shows the mess that Ashton has got himself into in the sense that Farage can say what he wants but Ashton is forced to stay schtum
Indeed, even Ashton's fairly limited apology has been politicised by Farage, so just think what the reaction would have been from Farage and his supporters in the club and elsewhere had he gone further?
[Post edited 1 Apr 13:51]
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Why Ashton met Führage on 13:55 - Apr 1 with 667 views
Why Ashton met Führage on 13:08 - Apr 1 by Illinoisblue
Where was it reported on previously?
I haven't got the time while at work to read the previous BBC, EADT, Athletic, Guardian and TWTD pieces, but i saw it mentioned more than once in those and also as a quote from Farage since his abuse of Town.
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Why Ashton met Führage on 13:56 - Apr 1 with 656 views
Why Ashton met Führage on 13:04 - Apr 1 by Swansea_Blue
I’ve not seen too much about the pros and cons of the regulator. There’s not been a lot of critical appraisal from reliable journalists or expert review, as far as I can see anyway.
There was this from Kick it Out saying that the EDI elements of the regulator’s plans were woefully inadequate- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo Safe to say Farage will be strongly against any mandatory collection and reporting of EDI data and won’t give a crap if BAME people are under-represented. Extra regulation would add administrative work for clubs of course, but if they truly believe the diversity publicity they generate, they shouldn’t have a problem with that.
There was not much appetite to talk about Reform's actual positions on football last week but essentially they want to scrap the regulator and let football govern itself... (because that's working so well...)
Politics and football by NederlandseBlue28 Mar 14:49 I'm surprised a few have said politics has no place on a football forum. Especially when Reform were publicising their positions on football on the same day that ITFC shirts were on the top of their social media channels.
How do we feel about the following (and the implied endorsement from our club)...
Coaching diversity:
The FA has a target to have 25%+ of coaching staff for the mens national teams across all levels to come from non-white backgrounds by 2028.
To reach this, the FA partners with clubs and academies to offer "volunteer placement opportunities" for people from historically underrepresented backgrounds.Through a "carefully structured programme" of learning and development to gain "experience and exposure within a professional environment". There is also guidance for county FAs, and grassroots support for those from south asian backgrounds where football is not commonly considered a career path. Clubs must also report off-field workforce diversity to track progress.
The FA says it will "always take a meritocratic approach by appointing the best people for roles" but recognises "the importance of having a broader range of participants across the sport".
Today, 40%+ of players are black yet there are 4 black head coaches across the top four leagues in England. This number that has not changed much for the past 5 years.
Reform's position: This is "woke nonsense" and should be scrapped.
Football governance:
The newly established Independent Football Regulator is meant to "protect and promote the financial soundness" of clubs and the "financial resilience" of the sport overall, as well as "safeguard the heritage of English football". It aims to strengthen owner suitability tests and prevent financial mismanagement while protecting fan interests through enhanced engagement, and blocking breakaway leagues.
Today, 73 clubs across the top four leagues in England depend on owner investment to remain active. While losses in the Premier League have narrowed, they have widened across the EFL. Derby, Wigan, Bury, Macclesfield, Reading, Southend, and the ongoing issues at Sheffield Wednesday, are examples of just a few of the clubs that have suffered winding up orders in recent years.
Reform's position: This is "disastrous" and a "bonkers" idea as "government-controlled quangos would fail to understand the sport and undermine the success of the Premier League". They prefer football should be "left alone".
Why Ashton met Führage on 12:36 - Apr 1 by MattinLondon
Indeed - just admit that Reform played him but that the subject of the football regulator was the reason for that visit.
Frankly, getting conned by open grifter Farage should be enough to justify a sacking alone. Who else is conning him if he falls for the most obvious of con artists?
I'm one of the people who was blamed for getting Paul Cook sacked. PM for the full post.
This is not a surprise if you piece together what Farage said in response to the Sunderland invite and what Ashton said about the regulator at a recent fans forum. The regulator has to be implemented correctly, and there have been political questions about the appointee, i.e. politics in football.
I think this only explains how one aspect of the day came to be a meeting or lunch together. The other aspect of promotional content / printed shirts is about politicians being publicity seeking.
For example, the complete opposite of this is when Keir Starmer visited Bristol Rovers on 17 June 2024. He discussed Labour's intention for there to be a football regulator. However, the media shows Starmer with a printed shirt with "Change 24" on it. This was during the general election and used the Labour's campaign slogan. Highly political. Yes, some fans on the BRFC forum criticised this. I do not recall it reaching the level as across Suffolk.
Perhaps the Bristol Rovers owned it at the time? Ipswich should have done, however, I believe they were caught on the hop with public furore over Farage as soon as Reform posted a teaser about coming to Portman Road. It was back foot after that. Had ITFC got their message out first, then perhaps it would have looked even more an endorsement??? They cannot win, so the lesson to learn is to avoid public political connections. Matters of policy will still be discussed in other means with all those in power.
Best post of this nit picking put downs week …..well put together my friend .
Now let’s all move on …..Uppa Towen
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Why Ashton met Führage on 14:38 - Apr 1 with 608 views
Why Ashton met Führage on 13:25 - Apr 1 by Guthrum
Reform hate any kind of regulation. Gets in the way of profiteering and asset stripping.
Absolutely right, but the thing that always makes me scratch my head in football is that other than the TV companies and the players, the ever increasing turnover only ever seems to lead to ever increasing losses!
I would think Farage's best way of milking football for electoral gain is to spout stuff which he thinks aligns with the majority of fans, and so I would think he would have more of an incentive to like this particular regulator than in other industries.
Having said that, if a regulator with any teeth comes in, there will always be promotion and relegation from/to the Premier League, and getting rid of that seems to me to be the easiest path to consistent profits out of football on the part of owners.
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Why Ashton met Führage on 14:46 - Apr 1 with 579 views
I mean if we are being really honest, it seems a perfectly reasonable explanation to hold a discussion.
It's a key discussion point, he is leading political figure in the lead up to the next general election, and he was in the area to have the discussion.
If the club had just been honest and said that from the jump, I don't see a huge issue with it personally.
The way it was post handled was a complete own goal.
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Why Ashton met Führage on 14:48 - Apr 1 with 578 views
Why Ashton met Führage on 13:55 - Apr 1 by urbanpenguin
I haven't got the time while at work to read the previous BBC, EADT, Athletic, Guardian and TWTD pieces, but i saw it mentioned more than once in those and also as a quote from Farage since his abuse of Town.
Massive failure of Ashton/the club to not make that clearer right at the start of this unnecessary fiasco.
Why Ashton met Führage on 14:54 - Apr 1 by Illinoisblue
So the “private stadium tour” narrative was a complete lie then?
Well, we still don't know how James P's suggestion of a quiet meeting away from the club developed into the tour and social media filming etc, or who was behind it.
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Why Ashton met Führage on 15:23 - Apr 1 with 511 views
Why Ashton met Führage on 14:38 - Apr 1 by PhilTWTD
I know that was the focus when James Pearce initially contacted Reform, there is common ground as both Farage and Ashton were against it.
Saying Ashton is against the football regulator may be presuming his personal opinion rather than his views as CEO of ITFC. His position at the November Fans Forum is @33:52 of the YouTube feed. It is a reality, but one where clubs / fans should be consulted on how best to implement it.
His comments about not getting communication right all the time seem pertinent!
[Post edited 1 Apr 15:25]
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Why Ashton met Führage on 16:27 - Apr 1 with 457 views
Why Ashton met Führage on 14:48 - Apr 1 by lazyblue
Any chance you can leave this subject alone now please, we get your on the left and love American sweet shops all over town but move on please!
Time to Move On (at your own pace) by FoghornGleghorn28 Mar 15:43 Not sure if anyone else is getting the same, but the more people just bellow "MOVE ON" (not you OP), the more I'm reminded of Farage's pathetic response any time he's asked for his justification of anything he's done in the past (which, by definition, is everything he's ever done).
Ever heard him explain what's been so fantastic about Brexit? "IT'S IN THE PAST, MOVE ON." Why do all his ex-schoolmates seem to have clear and consistent memories of him being a massive racist? "MOVE ON. BORING!" It's all he's got, so he just shouts it, and thinks that wins.
I agree there's got to be some way things can go forward. But every time some tit just commands the forum to "MOVE ON", for me it just brings back into sharper focus what a shitstorm this week has been.
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Why Ashton met Führage on 19:45 - Apr 1 with 323 views
"Nigel Farage reveals reason behind his Ipswich Town trip
Nigel Farage has blamed "hard left lunatics" for forcing Ipswich Town to make a humiliating apology for hosting him, describing his critics as "deeply intolerant"."
[Post edited 1 Apr 12:25]
I am happy to be known to be deeply intolerant of racists.
Can he explain why he thinks it is OK to deeply intolerant of poor people, foreigners, Jews, women and non-white people?
If the club had just come out with that from the start then I can’t see that there would’ve been much outrage.
I don’t agree. It’s a bit of a moot point in all this. Even if you have met with a politician to discuss policy, gifting shirts with a 10 on the back can still only be deemed political endorsement. Everybody knows what the 10 means.
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