WEST STAND SPONSORSHIP
The West Stand (previously know as the Pioneer Stand and East of England Co-op Stand) has been without a sponsor since the Magnus Group went into administration just over a year ago.
"We've got a sponsor," revealed chief financial officer Tom Ball. "We’ll reveal once it’s all signed."
Ipswich Town have bought land behind the Cobbold Stand with a view to increasing the stadium's capacity.Ipswich Town have bought land behind the Cobbold Stand with a view to increasing the stadium's capacity. (Image: PA)
STADIUM EXPANSION
Mark Ashton revealed, exclusively to the EADT and Ipswich Star back in November 2023, that there was a masterplan to expand Portman Road from its current capacity of around 30,000 to 35/40,000.
"To be honest with you, everything on that front has slowed down since the moment we got promotion because then it became all about getting the stadium fit for purpose and ready (for the Premier League)," he said.
"We have secured a piece of land behind the Cobbold Stand, so we now know the curvage that we could expand to. We know that then gives a capacity we could work to.
"But right now we're in no rush. We're stepping through it slowly. I don't want to do this while we're in the Premier League. There's never a good time to do it.
"Actually, we're looking at potentially expanding on the West Stand first which would then give us the capacity to move fans across from the Cobbold Stand (while we work on that).
"It's work in progress. There's no fixed timeline. There are other projects that will come first."
Ed Sheeran's front of shirt sponsorship deal runs out at the end of this season.Ed Sheeran's front of shirt sponsorship deal runs out at the end of this season. (Image: PA)
SHIRT SPONSORSHIP
This is the third season that Suffolk superstar Ed Sheeran has been the front of shirt sponsor, but that deal will finish at the end of this campaign.
“He has been an incredible sponsor a part of our huge shirt sales, which will probably break 100,000 this year - we thank him so much for that," said Ashton.
“He’s now moved to become a shareholder but he will then relinquish the front of shirt. We will not put a gambling company on the front of the shirt because we don’t think that fits our values or our culture.
“The commercial team are working hard on that and we’re down the line with an opportunity in particular that we would like to try and get done."
Half of the 20 Premier League clubs went on a pre-season trip to America in 2024.Half of the 20 Premier League clubs went on a pre-season trip to America in 2024. (Image: PA)
US FRIENDLIES?
Kieran McKenna has taken his squad to Austria and Germany for pre-season camps and tournaments over the last two summers.
But given the US ownership of the club, might a trip to the States be on the horizon? Half of the Premier League crossed the Atlantic back in the summer.
“We are doing a lot of work on that,” said Ashton.
"But the timing has to be right. I don’t think it will be next summer, if I’m honest with you. I think we’ll be in Europe again next summer.
“America is part of our plans, but if we’re going to do, we want to do it well. It is on the horizon."
Ipswich boy Luke Woolfenden is a homegrown player. Mark Ashton now wants a 'new wave' of talent to emerge from the academy.Ipswich boy Luke Woolfenden is a homegrown player. Mark Ashton now wants a 'new wave' of talent to emerge from the academy. (Image: Ross Halls)
ACADEMY UPGRADES
Ashton revealed: "Our academy will move from Category Two to Category One, probably, within a 12 month period.
"A big part of Kieran's brief is to develop players. Woolfy's (Luke Woolfenden) came through the academy and has played a lot of games, while Cam Humphreys has been in and out and has now gone out on loan to get some game time. We now need a new wave that's really going to come through.
"This county is so large, it's a one club county, and we have a real opportunity here. We have to attract, incubate and grow that young talent.
"I'm not interested in doing that slowly. We've got to recruit into the 18s and 23s because I can't wait for the 9s to come through. We're going to have to bring some part developed talent in.
"When Kieran wants a player, before we look to buy we really want to look at the pathway for our academy players first."
Ipswich Town will soon start work on building some new 'world class' training facilities for Kieran McKenna to work with his players.Ipswich Town will soon start work on building some new 'world class' training facilities for Kieran McKenna to work with his players. (Image: PA)
PLAYFORD ROAD PLANS
Ashton has previously spoken of the plans to build 'world class' facilities at the club's Playford Road training base.
"You'll have seen we've applied for planning permission at Playford Road to build a state of the art training facility," he said.
"Let's not hide away from it, we have the worst training facilities currently in the Premier League. We don't complain about it. That's just fact.
"We have got every ounce out of the current facilities that we could, but we now need to upgrade to a real elite facility that can help us attract and develop players. The architects' plans are completed and I'd like for the builders to be on site as soon as possible."
Ipswich Town majority shareholder Ed Schwartz (left) with chairman Mark Ashton. Both insist they are in it for the long haul.Ipswich Town majority shareholder Ed Schwartz (left) with chairman Mark Ashton. Both insist they are in it for the long haul. (Image: ITFC)
HOW LONG WILL OWNERS BE AT THE CLUB?
Town's original takeover owners, Gamechanger 20 Ltd, take their money from a pension fund. The significant new US investment comes from a private equity firm.
"We want to build something here," said Ashton. "Stability is built over a period of time. Whilst we've had fantastic success over a three-year period, and we've done well to keep moving forward, you can only do that with long-term relationships.
"We are looking long-term because you just can't do this on the short-term. I talked about a five-year plan when I came in. That's not long enough. The club's too big."
On his own personal plans, he said: "Look, I made a commitment to this fanbase to do this properly, to give it my all, to move into the local community - and that hasn't changed. I wake up every morning and my first thought is 'how do we get better?'
"I have no intentions of leaving this amazing fanbase and this group of people I've brought in around me. I'm going to be here for as long as I'm wanted."
Mark Ashton says he makes no apologies for trying to attract a new generation of fans to the club.Mark Ashton says he makes no apologies for trying to attract a new generation of fans to the club. (Image: PA)
ON 'BANDWAGON' FANS
Ashton said: "We have to get the balance right between loving and respecting all those who keep saying to me 'I've been here since this day and that day' and also welcoming new supporters.
"I make no apologies for saying this, I am going to bring a new generation of new fans to the football club. We can't be disrespectful to 'Johnny come lately'. No. We're as one.
"We do all this work in the schools and community to bring new supporters in and engage with families who had been disengaged."