Well, what a weekend that was! Did we just dream it?
Ithas been an absolute joy for the whole town to watch Ipswich Town climb two leagues in just two years. The leadership of the playing squad under Kieran McKenna and the talent, passion and determination shown on the pitch is a real inspiration to the whole town. Switch on any sport radio, or catch a pundit on TV or social media and the amazing rise of Ipswich Town is not far from the topic of conversation. Forget Suffolk, we’re the talk of the nation! This has really put Ipswich on the map.
I’m excited to see where next season takes us.
Of course, it’s not just the football that has been a delight to watch. It’s the ripple effect across the town. There is an undeniable feeling of positivity in Ipswich. It’s slowly been building as we saw success in the Championship and hopes of Premier League glory slowly became a reality. I remember a time when you’d rarely see children in ITFC shirts, sporting Liverpool or Man City shirts instead. Now youngsters and their parents proudly wear the Town shirt. It’s the uniform to be seen in.
The football club is Premier League level in every respect. I have already mentioned the playing squad but combined with the vision and commercial acumen of the whole club this whole package will really serve the club well in the next few years.
The success of the team has had a tremendous unifying and uplifting effect – and this weekend has, without doubt, created memories that will last a lifetime. The final game on Saturday and the celebrations afterwards and the players’ parade from the ground to Christchurch Park, which saw thousands and thousands line the streets to cheer the players on will live with those who attended for a lifetime.
There will also be a huge tourism opportunity for the area and a chance to put both Ipswich and Suffolk on the map. It is reported that when Brighton was promoted to the Premier League it brought £600million worth of benefits directly and indirectly to the town from the increased exposure and tourism. A study by Ernst & Young in 2022 found that football clubs economic activity has grown by a staggering 840% since the 1998/99 season, meaning that there are benefits to wider society and not just the game when clubs and communities work together.
As well as business and town growth, I am also excited to watch the impact on our young people. It can’t be underestimated the inspiration they take from watching their football heroes succeed, especially our homegrown talent such as Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Humphreys and Harry Clarke, who was visibly emotional after the match on Saturday. This promotion will have an important impact on Ipswich Town Foundation and its youth teams, plus the amazing charity and outreach work it does throughout the community. I suspect we will see an increase in the number of people signing up for local youth and adult teams, including girls’ football who draw on the inspiration of ITFC Women.
People talk of sporting success all the time – but this weekend history and memories was made. In years to come we’ll still talk of that sunny weekend in May 2024 when Ipswich Town got promoted. We’ll also talk of how the town capitalised on this success.
What a wonderful legacy from the beautiful game!
