This man - his appointment of Kieran McKenna must be one of the biggest masterstrokes in the history of football. It has taken the club into a different stratosphere. We’re so lucky to have him.
Congrats to Ipswich Fans from a Bristol city fan...sure you will do well in the Premier League with the complete teamwork throughout the whole club. :-) I watched this interview (which was great) with a lot of interest and some regret as Mark Ashton left BCFC to come to Ipswich. Mark was often made out to be the Villian at our club for not getting the job done...but now looks very much like he wasn't given the support from the clubs owners and covered up for their lack of support and was often blamed for not getting the right team in place...when his hands were tied. Maybe our owners just couldn't/can't afford to invest any more but goes to show what happens when you back the right people to the do their job in a football club and build a culture where everyone is on the same page! Again, well done Ipswich, I look forward to watching you take it to the big teams in the PL! 🙂
Well said. I was a bit worried when the BCFC fans almost universally warned us about MA. However I think you are right. He has so much passion and ambition, he needs to be supported but also reigned in. Our owners seem to understand that and give him the ‘oxygen’ (😉) to succeed. Good luck to BCFC next season.
What a fantastic interview. Stewart Watson, take a bow. I have said it before, and I will say it again. We as Ipswich supporters are lucky (I don't think many realise how lucky) to have the local media we have. Be it Stu, Alex, Ross and Mark from the kings (Not to forget Hutchy). Or the whole radio Suffolk team, especially Graeme and Brenna. Brenna must have been offered other jobs from TV and radio companies, as he is so good at his job, but he is still with us. Phil and Gav from TWTD giving us fantastic coverage from "just a fanzine site", and also giving us one of the best fan forums that any team in the UK has. And then we also have the Blue Monday podcast, full of articulate, knowledgable town fans giving honest assessments of games without being over reactionary. We also have Alex Griffin, home and away doing his vlogs with his dad, mum, girlfriend and mates helping out, giving local businesses a plug (11 out of 10) before going to games and talking to fans of each team. The content available to us town fans is broad and diverse, and I enjoy all of the above and more. Well done every single one of you and the teams behind you, that we don't see or hear about. I hope you all enjoy next season. COYB
I'm sorry but for fans who don't live in Suffolk, I'm afraid the picture is completely different. It has been so obvious this season that the content we get is much worse than fans at other clubs have. I live in Surrey so there is no BBC Suffolk or print media. The best coverage of our games comes from fans of opposing teams. Often there are four quality videos of our matches from different parts of a ground. We don't have that. A few of our young fans have tried to make videos, Blue Tube for example, but they've given up frustrated by all the views going to one channel. You mentioned Blue Monday and others, but none of them applauded Paul Cook's sacking for instance. It was obvious in April 2021 that he was the wrong appointment but they did absolutely nothing to help. Simply not good enough. These supposedly 'knowledgable' town fans predicted we would finish 12th and 9th this season. Come On, the bookmakers put us finishing 5th and the Charlton fans podcast said 3rd.
Was on the 8am train from Braintree. By the time we got to Ipswich it was full of town supporters. Been my team for 45 years. So proud of all the supporters who travel from far and wide to support this magnificent club. Ashton is a class act
Amazing isn’t it! This last 2 seasons have a joy - I can’t think it will ever be repeated! In the Ipswich way we did it the hard way ! Vs 3 massive clubs on parachute payments!Unbelievable!
Birmingham fan. Massive congratulations. Very well deserved. I was one of those that thought you'd get found out and fall away after Christmas. Happy that I was wrong. You've been a pleasure to watch as a neutral. Best of luck in the Prem, sure you'll more than hold your own. Hoping we can follow your example and achieve double promotions after our disastrous season this year. Just wish we had a Mark Ashton running our club.
What a great, candid interview - so impressed Mark could speak to all this just barely a day after we became Premier League again. As a fan of almost 50 years, this is as exciting a time as I've ever seen and we're so lucky to have Mark and Kieran, and the entire staff and team they have put together. Legendary. COYB 💙
I love Stuart's interviews.... professional, mature, inciteful, intelligent and he listens. Exciting times, and the best thing is that it feels like we couldn't be in better hands...
Think we need to say a big thank you to Frank Yellop for recommending ITFC to the 3 lions and to invest in the club 😊. Well done Ipswich, hope the pre season games are played in Perth Australia 😊
The sheer *efficiency* of ITFC is a big part of what's carried us over the last two seasons. Nothing much is wasted, no energy is expended where it's not needed.
Just back from a cruise met 2 leeds fans who were archetypical salty and through an alcoholic haze kept saying "you've been so lucky how did you do it" - good management- good ethos and never ever knowing when they are beaten was my response - that's my team - god I'm so proud from top to bottom coyb!!
My first game was1957 I’ve seen the game and the bad Brent to 1000 off games and things is up there and thank you every body at the close great times ahead
awesome - what a fantastic team effort from everybody, owners, CEO and management, KMC, support team, backroom staff and players. these guys were smart enough to reengage the community with the football team, combined with incredible effort. that is the real secret of sustainable support- Thank you ITFC...and that you guys at KOA for a tremendous insight into our season ..long may the journey continue.
Fantastic interview. This is just typical of Mark to spare this half hour at this time. In the back of my mind I’m more concerned about the day this man moves on rather than Kieran, I’d trust Mark to find the next one, but replacing Mark would be a monumental task. Let’s hope that’s decades away! This ship is in safe hands, thank you for everything!
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. So you actually create luck by working harder and longer. The club itself was just flat out better conditioned than any team they faced. Ashton said we ran farther than any team. Kieran conditions you like a beast!
Fantastic interview Stu! What I like about Ashton is his straight talk and ability / desire to let you peak behind the curtains, with his inside the business tidbits. He’s also such a student of leadership referencing Good to Great (Jim Collins) leadership philosophy. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🚜⚽️
I'm so excited were a special club and going no where but up I cannot wait for the prem I'm 36 and this is my 2nd promotion to the prem il say it now top 10 maybe 13th but we're goma surprise alot of people come on you blues!!!!!👏🏻💪🏼💯⚽️🔵⚪️🚜🐎
I’ve been a supporter since my first game in 1967. Seen some fantastic times during the Robson era , then a bit flat until 1992 and automatic promotion under Lyall to be a founding member of the Premiership. That awful loss to Man Utd and relegation until the Burley era and promotion at Wembley in 2000 and fifth place in our first year. A few highs under Joe Royal but not too much to shout about thereafter. I moved away from Suffolk in 2021 following over 20 years of mainly suffering awful times and thinking those Robson times would never be replicated. However along come new owners, Mark Ashton, Kieron Mckenna and we are back. Having watched Town at Portman Road for 54 yrs I have missed the last 3 years of which most has been unbelievable . Well done to all concerned for bringing my club back, its values, ethics performance, community and quality football. Bobby Robson, Alf Ramsey and the Cobbold’s are looking down with pride. Ipswich Town is back where it belongs and is under good stewardship once again. The future is Blue and White.
The previous "owner" didn't get the club at all; it seemed to be about building a "brand". I remember one of the European nights when Burley was manager; Alan Hansen was one of the pundits and commented about the club's ethos and the generous hospitality. When fans were queueing up for tickets for forthcoming big games the club apprentices would go out and serve them tea. Every managerial appointment is a risk, especially someone who's relatively unknown like McKenna. In addition to his qualities as a manager/coach, he gets us 100%.
ashton what a job he has done, now ipswich enter the land of VAR , the super clubs and the sharks of agents. Its going to be unbelievably hard. Some advice though Luton, burnley have tried to football their way through the division and have struggled, Ipswich are going to have to become adaptable, grind their way through games. To have a prayer of staying up. I am rooting for you from afar thats for sure.
I knew Mark was good but wow 1 day after securing promotion to the premier league he is so calm well spoken measured and as hungry as ever for success . This interview is inspiring to all involved in any kind of management well done Stuart . Brilliant COYB
The team of ITFC ,all together ,, OWNERS , BOSS , MANAGER , Team .. Will be going into a Different Football Premier League , Just think back to Burleys atcheiment . Then the same togetherness was the Key to getting this amazing Club , ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Great again . COYB .
We went from mid table mediocrity in the championship, the mid table mediocrity in league 1, to then go on to produce one of the great stories in English football. We are so BACK🚜💙
Wonder what odds i could get for Ipswich to finish top six in the Premiership next season? This team led by Mark, Kieran and the owners gives me that level of confidence in our future.
Idk about top 6 I think if recruitment is right they could finish 10-15 next season which would be good. Only if recruitment is right and McKennas style and team translates to the prem
He's right it's getting the right players not quantity,look at Chelsea didn't work for them.we have to be patient we will need the current squad to step up again while others come in.if it does not work it won't be for lack of trying.
You have no idea what he was doing. Stu is a terrific journalist and we're very lucky to have him. MA probably only agreed to do this because it was with him. You're the ones being disrespectful.
This man - his appointment of Kieran McKenna must be one of the biggest masterstrokes in the history of football. It has taken the club into a different stratosphere. We’re so lucky to have him.
Congrats to Ipswich Fans from a Bristol city fan...sure you will do well in the Premier League with the complete teamwork throughout the whole club. :-)
I watched this interview (which was great) with a lot of interest and some regret as Mark Ashton left BCFC to come to Ipswich.
Mark was often made out to be the Villian at our club for not getting the job done...but now looks very much like he wasn't given the support from the clubs owners and covered up for their lack of support and was often blamed for not getting the right team in place...when his hands were tied.
Maybe our owners just couldn't/can't afford to invest any more but goes to show what happens when you back the right people to the do their job in a football club and build a culture where everyone is on the same page!
Again, well done Ipswich, I look forward to watching you take it to the big teams in the PL! 🙂
Well said. I was a bit worried when the BCFC fans almost universally warned us about MA. However I think you are right. He has so much passion and ambition, he needs to be supported but also reigned in. Our owners seem to understand that and give him the ‘oxygen’ (😉) to succeed. Good luck to BCFC next season.
What a fantastic interview. Stewart Watson, take a bow.
I have said it before, and I will say it again. We as Ipswich supporters are lucky (I don't think many realise how lucky) to have the local media we have. Be it Stu, Alex, Ross and Mark from the kings (Not to forget Hutchy). Or the whole radio Suffolk team, especially Graeme and Brenna. Brenna must have been offered other jobs from TV and radio companies, as he is so good at his job, but he is still with us. Phil and Gav from TWTD giving us fantastic coverage from "just a fanzine site", and also giving us one of the best fan forums that any team in the UK has.
And then we also have the Blue Monday podcast, full of articulate, knowledgable town fans giving honest assessments of games without being over reactionary.
We also have Alex Griffin, home and away doing his vlogs with his dad, mum, girlfriend and mates helping out, giving local businesses a plug (11 out of 10) before going to games and talking to fans of each team.
The content available to us town fans is broad and diverse, and I enjoy all of the above and more. Well done every single one of you and the teams behind you, that we don't see or hear about. I hope you all enjoy next season.
COYB
Also Guv & crew at Talking Town for the banter 👍🏻
I'm sorry but for fans who don't live in Suffolk, I'm afraid the picture is completely different. It has been so obvious this season that the content we get is much worse than fans at other clubs have. I live in Surrey so there is no BBC Suffolk or print media. The best coverage of our games comes from fans of opposing teams. Often there are four quality videos of our matches from different parts of a ground. We don't have that. A few of our young fans have tried to make videos, Blue Tube for example, but they've given up frustrated by all the views going to one channel. You mentioned Blue Monday and others, but none of them applauded Paul Cook's sacking for instance. It was obvious in April 2021 that he was the wrong appointment but they did absolutely nothing to help. Simply not good enough. These supposedly 'knowledgable' town fans predicted we would finish 12th and 9th this season. Come On, the bookmakers put us finishing 5th and the Charlton fans podcast said 3rd.
This guy shows so much dedication, drive and ambition... 100% commitment to the club and Town...the duo Keiran and Mark are real class!
Was on the 8am train from Braintree. By the time we got to Ipswich it was full of town supporters. Been my team for 45 years. So proud of all the supporters who travel from far and wide to support this magnificent club. Ashton is a class act
Amazing isn’t it! This last 2 seasons have a joy - I can’t think it will ever be repeated! In the Ipswich way we did it the hard way ! Vs 3 massive clubs on parachute payments!Unbelievable!
@@stevendigby6125 it’s alright for you Steve, you get front row seats 🤣🤣🤣
Maybe not ideal if sky cameras get repositioned! You can’t ask them to move!
Birmingham fan. Massive congratulations. Very well deserved. I was one of those that thought you'd get found out and fall away after Christmas. Happy that I was wrong. You've been a pleasure to watch as a neutral. Best of luck in the Prem, sure you'll more than hold your own. Hoping we can follow your example and achieve double promotions after our disastrous season this year. Just wish we had a Mark Ashton running our club.
What a great, candid interview - so impressed Mark could speak to all this just barely a day after we became Premier League again. As a fan of almost 50 years, this is as exciting a time as I've ever seen and we're so lucky to have Mark and Kieran, and the entire staff and team they have put together. Legendary. COYB 💙
Forest fan here' Well done Ipswich..You deserve it..
I love Stuart's interviews.... professional, mature, inciteful, intelligent and he listens.
Exciting times, and the best thing is that it feels like we couldn't be in better hands...
This guy has been as important as any at ITFC 👏👏👏
Think we need to say a big thank you to Frank Yellop for recommending ITFC to the 3 lions and to invest in the club 😊. Well done Ipswich, hope the pre season games are played in Perth Australia 😊
Well done Mark Ashton! 🎉 Your approach is spot one. You are a true legend. 💙
The sheer *efficiency* of ITFC is a big part of what's carried us over the last two seasons. Nothing much is wasted, no energy is expended where it's not needed.
We are so lucky we have this man in charge, he speaks eloquently and he’s driven and so positive 👍🏻💪🏻
Just back from a cruise met 2 leeds fans who were archetypical salty and through an alcoholic haze kept saying "you've been so lucky how did you do it" - good management- good ethos and never ever knowing when they are beaten was my response - that's my team - god I'm so proud from top to bottom coyb!!
Thanks Mark for your tenacity and work ethic. You have now become an ITFC legend.
I remember Bristol City fans slagging off this man, I am so thankful he came to rescue our beautiful club , thank you Mark Ashton 💙⚽️
Great interview Stuart. I'm a TOWN fan based in New Zealand. Loving everything in and around team. Nervous but excited about next season. COYBs.
A new bona fide ITFC legend…Mr. Mark Ashton…Thank you very much💙
My first game was1957 I’ve seen the game and the bad Brent to 1000 off games and things is up there and thank you every body at the close great times ahead
I worked for the community at WBA in 94 and he was my boss a failed goal keeper but a great CEO....well done Mark
I could listen to Mark all day, what a fantastic gentleman who knows his stuff
awesome - what a fantastic team effort from everybody, owners, CEO and management, KMC, support team, backroom staff and players. these guys were smart enough to reengage the community with the football team, combined with incredible effort. that is the real secret of sustainable support- Thank you ITFC...and that you guys at KOA for a tremendous insight into our season ..long may the journey continue.
Fantastic interview. This is just typical of Mark to spare this half hour at this time. In the back of my mind I’m more concerned about the day this man moves on rather than Kieran, I’d trust Mark to find the next one, but replacing Mark would be a monumental task. Let’s hope that’s decades away! This ship is in safe hands, thank you for everything!
Thank you for an inciteful, interesting interview. Our beloved club is on a lucky streak with folk such as Mark Ashton involved.
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. So you actually create luck by working harder and longer. The club itself was just flat out better conditioned than any team they faced. Ashton said we ran farther than any team. Kieran conditions you like a beast!
Terrific stuff, Stu. Wonderful interview and great to see MA acknowledge your talent, objectivity and professionalism.
Great interview, what a leader this man is, just brilliant!
Fantastic interview Stu! What I like about Ashton is his straight talk and ability / desire to let you peak behind the curtains, with his inside the business tidbits. He’s also such a student of leadership referencing Good to Great (Jim Collins) leadership philosophy. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🚜⚽️
Mark Ashton is our Hero ❤🎉
Brilliant thanks Stuart and thank you Mark. 🚜💙
I'm so excited were a special club and going no where but up I cannot wait for the prem I'm 36 and this is my 2nd promotion to the prem il say it now top 10 maybe 13th but we're goma surprise alot of people come on you blues!!!!!👏🏻💪🏼💯⚽️🔵⚪️🚜🐎
I agree. There’s some fairly ‘meh’ clubs in the EPL. I think we’ll be up around mid table.
Well done to Mr. Ashton and his team. We wish them all the very best in his vision to make ITFC attain greater success in the EPL.
I’ve been a supporter since my first game in 1967. Seen some fantastic times during the Robson era , then a bit flat until 1992 and automatic promotion under Lyall to be a founding member of the Premiership. That awful loss to Man Utd and relegation until the Burley era and promotion at Wembley in 2000 and fifth place in our first year. A few highs under Joe Royal but not too much to shout about thereafter. I moved away from Suffolk in 2021 following over 20 years of mainly suffering awful times and thinking those Robson times would never be replicated. However along come new owners, Mark Ashton, Kieron Mckenna and we are back. Having watched Town at Portman Road for 54 yrs I have missed the last 3 years of which most has been unbelievable . Well done to all concerned for bringing my club back, its values, ethics performance, community and quality football. Bobby Robson, Alf Ramsey and the Cobbold’s are looking down with pride. Ipswich Town is back where it belongs and is under good stewardship once again. The future is Blue and White.
The previous "owner" didn't get the club at all; it seemed to be about building a "brand". I remember one of the European nights when Burley was manager; Alan Hansen was one of the pundits and commented about the club's ethos and the generous hospitality. When fans were queueing up for tickets for forthcoming big games the club apprentices would go out and serve them tea. Every managerial appointment is a risk, especially someone who's relatively unknown like McKenna. In addition to his qualities as a manager/coach, he gets us 100%.
Great interview. Could listen to Mark all day. Inspirational.
ashton what a job he has done, now ipswich enter the land of VAR , the super clubs
and the sharks of agents. Its going to be unbelievably hard. Some advice though Luton, burnley have tried to football their way through the division and have struggled, Ipswich are going to have to become adaptable, grind their way through games. To have a prayer of staying up. I am rooting for you from afar thats for sure.
The 🦈 attacks from behind. Bloody love it…
I knew Mark was good but wow 1 day after securing promotion to the premier league he is so calm well spoken measured and as hungry as ever for success . This interview is inspiring to all involved in any kind of management well done Stuart . Brilliant COYB
Great interview that ...what a job Mark Ashton has done at our club .
Great job Mark Aston on to the next stage after 45 years following the club never been so happy coyb
Ipswich Town pride of anglia blue army 💙 thank you Mr Ashton and kieran mckenna blue army 💙
The team of ITFC ,all together ,, OWNERS , BOSS , MANAGER , Team .. Will be going into a Different Football Premier League , Just think back to Burleys atcheiment . Then the same togetherness was the Key to getting this amazing Club , ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Great again . COYB .
Top bloke who for me, yes, is passionate about the club but also about the clubs ability to benefit the wider community as well. Brilliant
Welll done mark 💙💙 thank you for taking are club forward
Whadda scoop!
I do hope that one of the required improvements to the ground includes super-fast Wi-Fi we've been suffering in silence lol.
What a hero!!! ❤
Impressive!
We went from mid table mediocrity in the championship, the mid table mediocrity in league 1, to then go on to produce one of the great stories in English football. We are so BACK🚜💙
Build Mark Ashton a statue!
Fantastic club from the bottom to the top- pride restored , back where we belong
Thankyou mark for all you have done forcour club appointing kieran backing him and guidibg us back to where we belong .
What a guy
Wonder what odds i could get for Ipswich to finish top six in the Premiership next season? This team led by Mark, Kieran and the owners gives me that level of confidence in our future.
Idk about top 6 I think if recruitment is right they could finish 10-15 next season which would be good. Only if recruitment is right and McKennas style and team translates to the prem
Cracker of an Interview Stuart.
He's right it's getting the right players not quantity,look at Chelsea didn't work for them.we have to be patient we will need the current squad to step up again while others come in.if it does not work it won't be for lack of trying.
If this guy said he see an alien spaceship land ,and spoke to the pilot ,I would believe him ,
Everything he has said they would do they have done ,
Legend COYB ITfC FOREVER ⭐️💙⚽️⭐️💙⚽️⭐️💙⚽️
Well dune mark we have got r club back
I wonder what the changes to the ground consist of
Fan Zone will disappear next year, unfortunately. Along with a good number of seats in the west stand.
Who is the person we should be thanking for appointing Mark Ashton?
Maybe get some Dutch blood in like the old days
Trying to read you text u got while being spoken to hmm no very professional
Totally agree, pretty disrespectful….
Agreed. MA is a fantastic person and was lack of respect. Cringeworthy to see.
You have no idea what he was doing. Stu is a terrific journalist and we're very lucky to have him. MA probably only agreed to do this because it was with him. You're the ones being disrespectful.
@horsehollerer text goes off then him trying to read it . But I take it u no best
@adrianhughes2958
Fek earth you sad pathic winker