Town Issue Statement On Farage Visit
Tuesday, 24th Mar 2026 17:12

Town have issued a statement regarding last night’s visit to Portman Road by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

As reported earlier, a private tour of the stadium was booked with the club understood not to have initially been aware who was taking part.

They opted to still allow it to go ahead and to admit social media staff, who shot videos and photographs inside the stadium, which were released by the political party this morning via their channels.

Fans reacted angrily to their club apparently associating with and endorsing Reform with the story subsequently picked up by the national media.

The statement reads: “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.”

Photo: Matchday Images

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Edmundo added 17:36 - Mar 24 The Great in Great Britain didn't happen because we supported the fascists in WW2 you know. Patriotism and racism are different. Farage is a racist. He is also paid by Russia to divide this country.
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Churchmans_crate added 17:38 - Mar 24 I am afraid that is a weak response from Ashton; he has allowed ITFC to look like it endorses Farage/Reform. So the club has not actually endorsed Reform, but it has enabled the party to make the connection via its social media, and stood back while it did so. Very weak.
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pegasus added 17:40 - Mar 24 What about the brandishing of the Town short? That was utterly inappropriate, and the Town statement SHOULD have said that.
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pegasus added 17:41 - Mar 24 'shirt'. Sorry.
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OrwellianGeorge added 17:41 - Mar 24

Continuing being Devil's Advocate, whilst the majority of people posting are against Farage and Reform I would argue that many Town fans are also Reform supporters ( and sadly some are racist) and as the opinion polls show if we had a General Election tomorrow Reform may well win. In addition whilst Reform are certainly "right wing" I am not sure TWTD's description of the party being "far right" is correct. As mentioned above they are not a pressure group but possibly the next government..

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CobboldCrusty added 17:43 - Mar 24 Unfortunately this doesn't surprise me- I've brought issues of racist abuse to the club's attention before and they didn't give a sh1t. Utter shitshow and seriously considering handing in my season ticket. Enough people on the waiting list though so I doubt they care about that either.
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TractorBlue00 added 17:44 - Mar 24 ITFCSG - Can you give me examples of farage being someone who supports homophobia, racism and neo-nazism?
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Bazza8564 added 17:44 - Mar 24 Slightly surprising and weaker than I had expected, don't think we've heard the last of this one!
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BeattiesBackPocket added 17:46 - Mar 24

Can we all agree that EVERY politician is a waste of space at the very least?? And with that I don’t really care who visits it’s not going to make me vote for said person but for a left side to use words like tolerance etc the left are being less and less tolerant. There are huge pros and cons to every politician that’s a fact we can chat about how Farage is supposedly a facist, how Starmer hires peadophiles WITHOUT the proper checks, how the face of the Green Party conned many women out of their hard earned cash by claiming he could make their breasts bigger and tories for 14 years of well not much at all but personally I really don’t care which of those comes and visits but it’s ALWAYS the left that throw their sweets out if it’s something they don’t agree with.

TRCTRBY added 17:47 - Mar 24

Farage is a parasite. No club representatives were in his photos. So not an endorsement. To the point about Morsy, that was a case of two opposing belief systems. His religious beliefs conflicting with a campaign to support LGBT community. So quite different. Farage is a grifter and a peddler of hate with no belief system other than to enrich himself and profit from hate. Having said that, the club would have annoyed all the Reform leaning fans if they'd refused the tour. They should however have insisted that any photos taken weren't used for political purposes. I hope they put in place a policy on this for future visits from political parties.

AbujaBlue added 17:48 - Mar 24

The club can't say their stance is apolitical and at the same time allow themselves to be meekly hijacked by this highly political stunt. And this should be for any political party.

I do believe that they were completely blindsided by his visit but they should have politely but firmly denied him entry when it was obviously being used for political purposes and not a genuine interest in ITFC.

I just can't believe they didn't nip it in the bud and apologise straight off. It is like watching a car crash unfold before our eyes. Who is doing the PR for this?

armchaircritic59 added 17:55 - Mar 24 We should never be holding any political or religious gatherings of any type ever, without exception. Someone took a booking and didn't know what it was for? Try asking. I hope anything like it never happens again, and it can be forgotten.
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Tractorboy1985 added 17:57 - Mar 24

And the best comment on this feed goes to BEATTIESBACKPOCKET!!! No doubt be called a racist by the left idiotic tools! Politics have no place in football.. but if people feel so strongly about chucking their season tickets in, be my guest.. PR will be a more pleasant place without such morons slamming people who are just disgusted how our country is currently being run! The meltdown on here has been nothing short of embarrassing!!

armchaircritic59 added 18:00 - Mar 24 finidi, yes I would feel the same, can't stand politicians (or religious zealots for that matter) of any race, creed or type. Best I not say anything more.
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dieselmorris added 18:01 - Mar 24 there're lot fuser names that aren't normally on here after games, commenting onthe games.just stick to football.
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Westy added 18:02 - Mar 24

Totally reasonable statement from the Club. Don't know what Farage's motive was for visiting the Club and I'm certainly no supporter of his, but whether people like him or not or his politics, he is an elected MP. Phil1982, as you have written to Mark Ashton, I will also, congratulating the Club on its statement and reasonable explanation and for allowing it to go ahead. Who on this website thinks they have the right to demand it be cancelled.

December1963 added 18:03 - Mar 24 Allowing any political party to use our club and especially our shirt to make what is essentially a party political broadcast in the run up to the local elections and that is to be aired all over social media is the exact opposite of being apolitical. I am a very upset and disappointed season ticket holder of over 25 years.
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Motown added 18:04 - Mar 24

That really is an inadequate statement and suggests they willingly hosted the most divisive politician in the country. As others have pointed out, by facilitating the visit to this extent, it gives the appearance of endorsing Farage/Reform.

The ITFC Foundation has the stated aim "to confront and eliminate discrimination". How, for instance, does that sit with Reform's policy of ripping up the Equality Act and effectively legalising discrimination?

ghostofescobar added 18:05 - Mar 24

Do the right thing. State vigorously, in the strongest terms possible, that Town stands completely against any and all forms of racism, bigotry and hatred. That we are a club for inclusivity, that we are welcoming, that we are tolerant, no matter where you come from. State that this doesn’t matter what part of the political spectrum you are from. State the clubs moral position. It doesn’t have to be political. Today has been humiliating as a fan of the club.

BlueArmy01 added 18:07 - Mar 24 Lets face it lefties love to whinge as its all they are good at. Balanced response from the club as they realise the support is from a varied demographic.
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Bert added 18:07 - Mar 24

Absolutely not good enough. The club has naively facilitated Farage’s social media team and allowed a man and a party who do not have the club’s values of diversity and equality to use the club for political gain. The club has been damaged by this. Whilst the club cannot take sides in a political sense it can regret what has happened. As it stands, the statement is weak and has not addressed the damage to the club’s reputation or the hurt felt by the vast majority of supporters. Ashton as CEO and Chairman has to do better.

ITFC_1994 added 18:08 - Mar 24 Made it worse, nice one. What a sorry state of affairs....
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blueboy1981 added 18:16 - Mar 24 Someone at the Club - has nailed their political colour to the mast (not ITFC Blue either !) - and surely has opened a huge can of Worms in doing so. Massive Error !!
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TimmyH added 18:17 - Mar 24 God!...some people are really wetting their pants over this, next we'll be seeing a load of Palestine flags in the stands, I wonder if the uproar would be the same if it was Polanski, Starmer or Davey turned up? I doubt it. Politics out of sport please.
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Ipswich1977 added 18:19 - Mar 24 Nigel Farage is going to be the next UK prime minister. Why wouldn't you want such a visit by Nigel? Those complaining need to look at what state this country is in at the moment. There is a reason Nigel is so popular and to see him at the club I support is brilliant. Next up we need Rupert Lowe. Well done Ipswich Town for allowing this to go ahead. Thank you.
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