Ipswich Town have insisted they are a ‘welcoming organisation’ in response to a backlash after the Championship club hosted Nigel Farage and the Reform UK party at Portman Road.
Farage, 61, was photographed holding aloft an Ipswich shirt with ‘Farage 10’ printed on the back following a visit to the East Anglian club on Monday ahead of a local rally at nearby Trinity Park.
‘It’s a big end of the season for Ipswich, they are really in contention to go back into the Premier League and let’s hope they do it,’ he said in a video shared on Reform’s social media channels.
‘But if they don’t, I think there’s a chance and I’ve had a chat with a few people about the manager’s job coming up next season and I’m definitely on the shortlist. Trouble is, there’s only one job I’m really after.
‘What a lovely welcome to Portman Road, it really is.’
The visit saw the Tractor Boys come in for some criticism on social media for allowing Farage – leader of the Reform party – a photo opportunity at the club.
According to The Times, the club were aware that Reform had booked a stadium tour but had no idea it would be used as a publicity stunt.
‘This was not an official invitation of any kind or any kind of endorsement,’ a club spokesperson told the outlet. ‘It has caused some embarrassment’.
But publicly Ipswich have responded by insisting they are an ‘apolitical’ football club and ‘proud to be an inclusive, diverse and welcoming organisation’.
In a statement shared on their X account on Tuesday afternoon, the club said: ‘Ipswich Town Football Club has, over several years, hosted representatives from a range of political parties.
‘The club remains apolitical and does not support or endorse any individual or party. The club will continue to engage with representatives from across the political spectrum as part of its role within the community.
‘Ipswich Town is proud to be an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming organisation that supports all members of the local and wider community. This commitment remains unchanged.’
Ipswich’s local rivals, Norwich City, poked fun at their Old Farm Derby opponents on Tuesday afternoon by tweeting: ‘Book a stadium tour of Carrow Road – new dates now available. Terms and conditions will most definitely apply.’
Farage responded, tweeting: ‘See you next week!’
