| How loyal would you be to the club? 23:25 - Sep 5 with 4883 views | Bluedicea |
Just a thought exercise as I'm a curious person, to get a feeling for folks.
You're an ITFC fan, who has played for the club since a youngster, approaching 26/27 years old, one of the big 6 clubs offer you a massive contract on the back of this years promotion success, where does your career go as a fictional player, based on the reality of yourself as a person.
Do you take the money? Do you stay at ITFC to become the club legend? Does passing up the opportunity end up unsettling you and you flop here? Does accepting the offer cause you to lose the passion that gave you that extra edge? Do you go on to become a star for them? Or do you stick out the years to lift the PL and CL trophy for Ipswich?
Loyalty is key for me, I'd stay with project Ipswich and try to get them up. The offer would unsettle me for a season or two, especially as we struggle with some dodgy results. Eventually though, I'd remember my blood runs blue and kick on driving the team forward, and hopefully become a legend because of my solid but not always pretty defensive record, a workhorse for the team without any flashy bells and whistles. After finally lifting the PL trophy, we miss out on the CL trophy because of my defensive error(legs going), age taking the toll on my body and letting snails speed past me, I retire at the end of that season at 34. Happy that I stayed Blue to the core. |  |
| What is the use of knowing about everything else, when you do not yet know who you are. |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 23:47 - Sep 5 with 3237 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
In our hearts I think we would like to all think that we would be loyal, and have a fairytale with the club we love.
But, lets be realistic. Say I am on 20k a week at Ipswich.. and another club offers me 40k a week. That is double my money, I am off. And I think most people regardless of what they may say, are off as well. Football is a short career, and its a job. Take the bigger contract. |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 23:50 - Sep 5 with 3238 views | MattinLondon |
Personally I think that players owe it to themselves to be as ambitious as possible. Fulfil their potential. Even if they are Ipswich fans then they should realise that the club will be there after their career.
Anyway, if I were 26/27 and a big six club offered me a bumper contract then I would go and hope that the club fans recognise the fact that I’ve been at the club since I was 12 and they realise that it’s time to go. If they don’t, then screw them.
I make my PL debut at 26 and have an outstanding season which eventually leads to an England call-up. After an ill thought out night out which included breaking into London zoo and stealing the penguins, hiring a private jet and invading the playboy mansion, I am placed on the transfer list where Juve sign me.
I marry an Italian and we have five children. At the age of 37, I have a testimonial against Ipswich, in what will actually be the fixture in the next seasons Champions League final. Keane and Lambert are the expert pundits who get to relive their blunders as former Town players.
I retire after scoring a thirty-five yard overhead kick. |  | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 00:13 - Sep 6 with 3191 views | J2BLUE |
I've always had this odd fantasy about being at a mid table Premier League club and scoring about 50 goals over a couple of seasons. That summer i'm a free agent. Offers from Barca, Real Madrid, United, Bayern etc on mega money.
Then I sign for Ipswich.
As someone said above, we can all claim we would be loyal but really it's incredibly rare within the game. Once you make it as a pro the club you grew up supporting takes a back seat in most cases. |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 00:28 - Sep 6 with 3165 views | Woolfenthen |
ask Jack Grealish |  | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 00:38 - Sep 6 with 3156 views | Bluedicea |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 23:47 - Sep 5 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
In our hearts I think we would like to all think that we would be loyal, and have a fairytale with the club we love.
But, lets be realistic. Say I am on 20k a week at Ipswich.. and another club offers me 40k a week. That is double my money, I am off. And I think most people regardless of what they may say, are off as well. Football is a short career, and its a job. Take the bigger contract. |
Oh I totally understand and agree most would, it'd be a tough decision to make. There is no right answer. Some folks are more money driven, others it's for trophies or awards, some it's for the accolades or worship that drives them.
It was just with the Grealish transfer and seeing the absolute passion Bonne has playing for us, made me question would the money outweigh my love of Ipswich, if I was in that position here. Money has never really been a motivator for me, yeah I need money to live, but my higher priority is doing something I enjoy with folks I enjoy spending time with, I have left a few jobs with good money to get involved with smaller projects that offer less money, but have much better work environments. | |
| What is the use of knowing about everything else, when you do not yet know who you are. |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 01:25 - Sep 6 with 3095 views | Bluedicea |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 23:50 - Sep 5 by MattinLondon |
Personally I think that players owe it to themselves to be as ambitious as possible. Fulfil their potential. Even if they are Ipswich fans then they should realise that the club will be there after their career.
Anyway, if I were 26/27 and a big six club offered me a bumper contract then I would go and hope that the club fans recognise the fact that I’ve been at the club since I was 12 and they realise that it’s time to go. If they don’t, then screw them.
I make my PL debut at 26 and have an outstanding season which eventually leads to an England call-up. After an ill thought out night out which included breaking into London zoo and stealing the penguins, hiring a private jet and invading the playboy mansion, I am placed on the transfer list where Juve sign me.
I marry an Italian and we have five children. At the age of 37, I have a testimonial against Ipswich, in what will actually be the fixture in the next seasons Champions League final. Keane and Lambert are the expert pundits who get to relive their blunders as former Town players.
I retire after scoring a thirty-five yard overhead kick. |
Nicely thought out!! I'm sure you could pick up a few quid after your career finishes, giving the daily sport an exclusive kiss and tell about the Penguin debacle.
And love the little RK/PL bit.
Why Juve though? They the only ones willing to take a chance or was it a hard fought transfer deal, that you went to the club most likely to get a trophy? | |
| What is the use of knowing about everything else, when you do not yet know who you are. |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 06:50 - Sep 6 with 2923 views | Pendejo |
Take the money and run.
You might get the odd beer bought for you as a "ledge" but that don't pay the mortgage.
When Dozzell joined Spurs someone, with credible def info, told me he'd quadrupled his salary. There's few people who can truly say they wouldn't, I would without hesitation. Those that wouldn't probably work in NHS (??) and have turned down a full time move into private medical care.
Besides there's always the chance of doing a Winston Bogarde |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 06:50 - Sep 6 with 2925 views | gordon |
Think the answer here is that if you're good enough to be offered a contract by a top team, you're likely to be incredibly driven and ambitious from a football perspective, and doing everything you can to fulfill your potential, play at the best level you can etc. is just how you roll. |  | | |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:12 - Sep 6 with 2879 views | wkj |
I hate to say it, but I would be doing the best thing for my own career. When the peak of my earnings dies before I midlife - I want the best nest egg I can possibly have to secure my own future.
Let's face it, we all love legends - but once they retire we more or less do not contribute to their financial stability any more as fans. [Post edited 6 Sep 2021 9:12]
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:23 - Sep 6 with 2840 views | Pique |
There are some relatively recent examples of club loyalty triumphing over all the other factors. Matt Le Tissier in the mid 1990s could probably have moved anywhere he wanted, but chose to stay loyal. Steve Bull in 1990 was a Second Division striker and England World Cup squad member - similarly he could have written his own cheque and played for a top club but did the same thing.
It was rare then though, and even rarer now. In fact I doubt we’ll see their like again in today’s world. |  | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:40 - Sep 6 with 2781 views | ElephantintheRoom |
Loyal to what exactly? Ipswich Town is a franchise being run by an Ohio-based property investment fund. The pretend owners are in Phoenix and Tucson - and have never been to Ipswich. None of the backroom staff nor 19 of your fellow professionals even knew where Ipswich was this time last year.
Not sure any player anywhere - even with a club more stable than Ipswich would be 'loyal'. The fine, upstanding captain of England being a case in point. |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:47 - Sep 6 with 2769 views | Leaky |
Loylty can be a two way thing . How loyal would Ipswich be if you had a career ending injury.other than honouring your contract or paying it up. I guess football is like any other job one has to make the most of one's opportunities. |  | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:49 - Sep 6 with 2757 views | Leaky |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 23:50 - Sep 5 by MattinLondon |
Personally I think that players owe it to themselves to be as ambitious as possible. Fulfil their potential. Even if they are Ipswich fans then they should realise that the club will be there after their career.
Anyway, if I were 26/27 and a big six club offered me a bumper contract then I would go and hope that the club fans recognise the fact that I’ve been at the club since I was 12 and they realise that it’s time to go. If they don’t, then screw them.
I make my PL debut at 26 and have an outstanding season which eventually leads to an England call-up. After an ill thought out night out which included breaking into London zoo and stealing the penguins, hiring a private jet and invading the playboy mansion, I am placed on the transfer list where Juve sign me.
I marry an Italian and we have five children. At the age of 37, I have a testimonial against Ipswich, in what will actually be the fixture in the next seasons Champions League final. Keane and Lambert are the expert pundits who get to relive their blunders as former Town players.
I retire after scoring a thirty-five yard overhead kick. |
Or end up at Col U. | | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:57 - Sep 6 with 2740 views | MattinLondon |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:40 - Sep 6 by ElephantintheRoom |
Loyal to what exactly? Ipswich Town is a franchise being run by an Ohio-based property investment fund. The pretend owners are in Phoenix and Tucson - and have never been to Ipswich. None of the backroom staff nor 19 of your fellow professionals even knew where Ipswich was this time last year.
Not sure any player anywhere - even with a club more stable than Ipswich would be 'loyal'. The fine, upstanding captain of England being a case in point. |
This post is so edgy I’ve cracked my paving slabs simply by reading it. | | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:59 - Sep 6 with 2735 views | Pinewoodblue |
Your agent would convince you otherwise. Every match there is the potential for a life changing injury. Financial security for you, and your family comes first. |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:59 - Sep 6 with 2732 views | MattinLondon |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 01:25 - Sep 6 by Bluedicea |
Nicely thought out!! I'm sure you could pick up a few quid after your career finishes, giving the daily sport an exclusive kiss and tell about the Penguin debacle.
And love the little RK/PL bit.
Why Juve though? They the only ones willing to take a chance or was it a hard fought transfer deal, that you went to the club most likely to get a trophy? |
Juve were simply the biggest club after me that offered me first team football. At the end of the day I’m simply a player who have had one very good season after playing for a much smaller club in the third division. | | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 08:14 - Sep 6 with 2689 views | MattinLondon |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 07:49 - Sep 6 by Leaky |
Or end up at Col U. |
That’s a good point. I come out of retirement and make my debut for Col U as a 65 minute sub. I then score a belter from 25 yards before assisting with two other goals. Promotion then comes easily and I contemplate another season. But after seeing their new Adidas away kits for that coming season I decide I’ve had enough of playing professionally. | | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 08:38 - Sep 6 with 2620 views | Churchman |
I’d be off.
I moved around in my career a fair bit and a big part of that was curiosity. I wanted to see something different. If I’d been lucky enough to be a footballer and I’d done a chunk of time at the club I love, even if I was happy there, the desire to get a new experience somewhere else would kick in.
I would only go if the current club were happy for me to go, I.e. received sufficient money for me, and I would not do a Balotelli and create a move by being a pain in the posterior. However, if an opportunity as described in th OP came along, I’d take it. I would add that my current club would get the best of me to the day I left too. It has always my way. |  | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 08:53 - Sep 6 with 2529 views | BlueBlueBluex2 |
If I was on a reasonable whack, I would stay.
Football, outside of Ipswich Town, holds little interest to me. I would not watch any other match that does not involve us, have zero interest in the Premiership (until we get there season after next) and just about manage a semi during a world cup or Euro Championship.
I would stay and be a big fish in small pond, just as Kieron tried to do, but I would have more class. [Post edited 6 Sep 2021 9:54]
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 09:12 - Sep 6 with 2475 views | Swansea_Blue |
If you're a professional footballer who's spent the best part of 16/17 years training to be the best you can be, it would be hard to ignore the (probably) last opportunity you'd ever get to see whether you can cut it at the top. I suspect for many that would be the bigger draw than the money (although a juicy contract sorting you out for life would be a nice bonus!). |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 09:28 - Sep 6 with 2444 views | jayessess |
Playing football professionally from a very young age, as opposed to watching it while working at something else, would change dramatically who you are as a person.
Hard to think of any footballer since Matt Le Tissier who sacrificed a grander career to club loyalty. There are reasons for that which go beyond whether footballers are loyal as people. |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 09:52 - Sep 6 with 2404 views | Bluefish |
I have a little experience here albeit at very different levels. I grew up in a small village but with a decent football set up for the size, the pitch was right near my house and I played there every day as a kid. I eventually got asked to play for the reserves at a 14 year old because they were short, it was supposed to be a one off but I went on to play every week and then a season later was put in the 1st team. At 17 I then b*ggered off to chase some money at a far higher team but mainly warmed the bench.
In that time my village team got promoted and I was gutted not to be part of it so took a pretty crazy choice to drop down and go back. We ended up with a decent side and a couple more promotions but still lower than the other team. I love it and played for .any seasons as a big part of it but always had a little regret at not testing myself properly at higher level. I left a couple more time much later as our team disbanded but always ended up going back.
I'm reality the feel of my local smaller club was the best times and I might have hated chasing things and not settling elsewhere but you always have a what if feeling.
Not really comparable to life changing money and a career but it is still a tough one.
In other news I have decided to make a football come back as a 41 year old after 10 years out the game
As if you can't say b*ggered! |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 09:58 - Sep 6 with 2391 views | Durovigutum |
If I was here it would depend on what my sale could bring the club. The 6 million for Dyer bought three new players, paid the bills another year, got us promoted. If £30 million for me (or my son, as I'm starting to fossilize) gave the club £ and him CL football, then go. He can always come back, John Wark style, to wrap things up. |  | | |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 10:22 - Sep 6 with 2344 views | itfcjoe |
It's an impossible question to answer because very few people understand how ruthless the industry is, and at what age this begins.
Those who are accused of lacking loyalty have seen their best mates released as a 10 year old because they got injured....
.....they've seen the star man at 16 turn down moves to PL clubs, to subsequently not get a look in because some new shiny toy has been recruited from abroad and is given way more opportunities because he had to be given a 4 year contract to move from abroad.....
.....they've seen loan moves be forced through because people in the top positions have political games to play against each other.....
.....they've played a season with a broken bone in their back because the club are too tight to pay for a scan, and only do so when a first teamer requests it for them when they see them crying after training as they are in so much pain.....
.....they've been forced out by managers who want to make a mark on the club.....
.....they've been sent out on loan because they can't handle the abuse being received from first team coaching staff and their mental health has fallen through the floor.....
.....they've been promised moves and life changing amounts of money because the club have moved goalposts on transfers....
You don't have to be a genius to know which club this is all happening at, and I don't think for a second ITFC are any different to any other club in this respect - but clubs are loyal to players when they are of use to them, and as soon as they aren't they are just ignored and put on the scrapheap.....and this happens before they have hit puberty.
Luke Chambers isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he has worn the Ipswich shirt more than 99.9% of our players ever and he was released, after having a contract offer withdrawn with no explanation via a 45 second conversation after 9 years. Teddy Bishop gave 17 years from the age of 8 and got the same.
Mick Mills, yes, our all time appearance record holder, who captained us to our greatest days, was forced out of the club when he still had 2 years of 1st Division football left in him.
The only loyalty in football is from the fans to the club, it doesn't exist anywhere else in the game. Players don't lack loyalty, they just know what the game is. |  |
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| How loyal would you be to the club? on 10:28 - Sep 6 with 2303 views | hype313 |
| How loyal would you be to the club? on 10:22 - Sep 6 by itfcjoe |
It's an impossible question to answer because very few people understand how ruthless the industry is, and at what age this begins.
Those who are accused of lacking loyalty have seen their best mates released as a 10 year old because they got injured....
.....they've seen the star man at 16 turn down moves to PL clubs, to subsequently not get a look in because some new shiny toy has been recruited from abroad and is given way more opportunities because he had to be given a 4 year contract to move from abroad.....
.....they've seen loan moves be forced through because people in the top positions have political games to play against each other.....
.....they've played a season with a broken bone in their back because the club are too tight to pay for a scan, and only do so when a first teamer requests it for them when they see them crying after training as they are in so much pain.....
.....they've been forced out by managers who want to make a mark on the club.....
.....they've been sent out on loan because they can't handle the abuse being received from first team coaching staff and their mental health has fallen through the floor.....
.....they've been promised moves and life changing amounts of money because the club have moved goalposts on transfers....
You don't have to be a genius to know which club this is all happening at, and I don't think for a second ITFC are any different to any other club in this respect - but clubs are loyal to players when they are of use to them, and as soon as they aren't they are just ignored and put on the scrapheap.....and this happens before they have hit puberty.
Luke Chambers isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he has worn the Ipswich shirt more than 99.9% of our players ever and he was released, after having a contract offer withdrawn with no explanation via a 45 second conversation after 9 years. Teddy Bishop gave 17 years from the age of 8 and got the same.
Mick Mills, yes, our all time appearance record holder, who captained us to our greatest days, was forced out of the club when he still had 2 years of 1st Division football left in him.
The only loyalty in football is from the fans to the club, it doesn't exist anywhere else in the game. Players don't lack loyalty, they just know what the game is. |
Indeed and reading that justifies why players should look out for themselves.
In an ideal world every club would have local players for the duration of their careers, but that ship sailed a long time ago, Rooney bled Blue but that didn't stop him going to Utd, Jack Grealish was a true Villian but he jumped, the only player I can think of in the past 40 years who has stayed loyal was Matt Le Tissier, but that's because he was a lazy fecker and probably couldn't be bothered to move.
Still think it might have been wise to have kept Chambers for an additional year, just to help the youngsters, and also some of the goals we have conceded wouldn't have happened with him in the box. Some might say I'm looking through rose tinted specs, and I get that the club wanted a reset, but an additional year wouldn't have cost the earth, and he would have been a great help to all the new players looking to settle in the area.
Hey ho. |  |
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