MARK ON CHALLENGES AND CHANGES FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE

In the second of a two-part interview, CEO Mark Ashton looks ahead at how the Club is planning for the Premier League and the challenges and changes that lie ahead during a busy summer.

[@JackSmith-kp2vs]

Most important thing: Give McKenna a much improved contract to keep him at the club

[@johnou.k.3780]

Spot on

[@remorse1195]

Needed now more than ever

[@leggi1]

Mark Ashton is a bloody legend.

[@TrevorSturman]

I have loved these two videos and loved the clearness and transparency throughout from Mark Ashton. He and the rest of the team have brought back the team that I have supported for nearly 30 years and I thank him, McKenna, the owners and everyone. I love that he was more than happy to talk about the changes that are being enforced by the EPL through promotion as crazy as some seem (an additional 40 camera points 🤯) but as he said they have to be done if we want to be in the league. Still a couple months away but looking forward to the new season and the changes both on and off the pitch that are going to happen over the summer COYB

[@JennyGavinWear]

Thank you. Brilliant management. Transparency. Belief. Accountability. Achievement. Respect for our history. We could not ask for more. So proud to be an Ipswich fan. #COYB

[@leekerridge7973]

So proud to be an ipswich fan 🔵⚪️

[@danielm9940]

McKenna, first and foremost must demonstrate true loyalty and integrity to ITFC and the fans (interested parties) having given him his first managerial opportunity and subsequent full backing, second, he has also an obligation to repay that faith and belief given to him by the club and fans, by fore filling his contract and proving he is able to manage and succeed in the premiership with ITFC for at the very least, this coming season, after, what will be will be!

[@Engleberta]

He’s going chelsea, it seems.

[@24eu]

He better be staying. The club owes him a lot but but he owes the club a lot also, and we aren’t expecting him to see out his full contract which you could still argue you should, but at least give a season to us in the prem. The club wanted prem, Kieran wanted prem, they made it together, so give it ago. Brighton isn’t even a bigger move. We are bigger than Brighton and that goes without saying.

[@youyu_yi]

can't wait for next season, much love from finland and come on you blues !!!!!!!!!

[@abboblue78]

Enjoy the ride boys and girls as this is a brilliant time to be a town fan, I’ve experienced promotion into division one in the late sixties, 78 cup run and the Wembley final, the uefa cup run 1981, promotion again to the new premier league 1992 , then again in 2000, what we all have now is up there with all of these achievements and the people running our club are as passionate as I’ve ever seen , the feel good factor really is something to treasure and remember, new season ahead and I’m as exited as I’ve ever been , so I say again enjoy the moment and all the future memories that will come our way , COYB.

[@blantyre60]

We may no longer be a selling club but the Manager can't be too nostalgic/sentimental & some hard-nosed decisions will have to be made in either selling or not renewing the contracts of a few players who simply don't possess the quality to play in the Premier League! This would then help in bringing in new quality players too & our scouting network will now have to rapidly extend their connections/operations abroad too. We see how a club like Brighton & Hove Albion bring in some unknown young players from abroad costing barely nothing but turn them into star players worth tens of millions! We need to try to emulate this!

[@geoffpoole483]

What Brighton have done takes a lot of hard work. Norwich signed a lot of unknowns from overseas when they were promoted but it didn't work out for them.

[@Ghe_16]

I love this club, your fan is from Iraq 💙⚔️

[@r92007]

For goalkeeper position buy out david degea

[@r92007]

Free angent

[@HistoricallyProven]

SIR Mark Ashton.

[@malcolmlloyd8308]

Speaks well and it all makes sense. Big challenge goes without saying but based on the approach to the last 2 seasons no reason to believe we won't be able to do well enough

[@mikehart3752]

What’s the future plan for the Cobbold Stand?

[@Lee33006]

I have a lot of admiration for Marks business/professional approach to the club whilst also showing how proud of the club he is. We'll done Mark and thanks for everything you have done to improve our club 💙

[@TonyHavenMusic]

I’m just buzzing for the new shirt release right now 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@mikehart3752]

If I was betting I reckon it will be a take off of the opening of the Premier League 1991/92

[@Johnipswich]

Thanks Mark for straight talking and not dressing it up .Hard work ahead for club and fans.

[@thailandxo9509]

Great work and leadership. Now we need to look at Goalstoppers. How about bringing in David de Gea. Kieran knows him already

[@STST]

Thats Sir Mark Ashton. Thank you 🙏

[@Lgwebostverese]

You’re welcome mate this is what i do lad. Poppa condoms. Poppa condoms. Pop a proper Whopper copper condom on.

[@JohnoK56]

So reassuring to hear the commitment from the owners and management. Preparations well in place for the prem.

[@JckSwan]

Very exciting times.

[@johnllewellyn3481]

When the ownership came in I, as lifelong Town fan posted somewhere ' if you fail to bring the fans along, you have bought nothing '. Well they did and WOW. just look at us now. I really did not believe in my heart that I would ever see the past again and I would just go quietly into the night banging on about how it used to be. So thank you from the very depths of my soul All at I.T.F.C. Till I die. Johnnie Llewellyn.

[@thesauceman3558]

can't wait for the next season, much love from India

[@aijlee]

Oh F***ing yes!! That is just what I wanted to hear.

[@beverleyringe7014]

Would love Ed to come on the pitch sometime! Let us supporters see him,

[@Benjamin00720]

I have a feeling that the way the football club is being run these days that we will manage just fine next season.

[@lemzz90829]

Keep up Ipswich and u will become a great team in the Prem

[@JennyGavinWear]

ITFC, we need to know what's going on.

[@antonioiachetta6381]

Never been more proud to be an itfc supporter! Can't wait for the new season!! We can stay up I know we can 💪💙

[@SuffolkBanker]

Maybe they could ride a wifi setup piggy back on the new wiring loom. That would address the connectivity for fans.

[@adampalmer8573]

Hopefully VAR won’t be in place next season

[@TonyHavenMusic]

Investment in infrastructure in the first season for promotion for a team that hasn’t been in the PL since 5 years should be written off FFP 100%

[@dominiccrane8664]

Certain things the league wants to encourage such as spending on Infrastructure and the Women’s teams aren’t taken into consideration for the purpose of PSRs (profit and sustainability rules - or FFP). The PSRs are mostly just for staff/player wages and transfer fees. So don’t worry, none of the money spent on improving the stadium or training ground will affect the clubs FFP standing

[@TomQuick14]

Surely the best place to test Safe Standing is North Lower? As they spend most of the game standing??

[@joshrussell201]

A block stand now too

[@AMFL3116]

Give Sone Aluko, a job as coaching assistant! Aluko must stay!

[@bigal3364]

Enjoy while it lasts

[@regularhero4095]

Second part was as good as the first! The improvements at Portman road can only be a good thing and the friendly vs Fortuna ❤❤ WeGoAgain!

[@TonyHavenMusic]

I think it’s kind of disgusting that the Premier League can demand so much investment in a club and to meet the PL standards instantly yet 2 years down the line say they’ve been spending stupidly, FFP is going to destroy this league one team at a time

[@dominiccrane8664]

Certain things the league wants to encourage such as spending on Infrastructure and the Women’s teams aren’t taken into consideration for the purpose of PSRs (profit and sustainability rules - or FFP). The PSRs are mostly just for staff/player wages and transfer fees. So don’t worry, none of the money spent on improving the stadium or training ground will affect the clubs FFP standing

[@stevenjohncollins3847]

Aston Villa should sign omari hutchinson if chelsea dont want to keep him

[@Doggomorph]

2nd place here we go again

[@Roxie66645]

UPPA TOWEN 💙💙💙

[@24eu]

He better be staying. The club owes him a lot but but he owes the club a lot also, and we aren’t expecting him to see out his full contract which you could still argue you should, but at least give a season to us in the prem. The club wanted prem, Kieran wanted prem, they made it together, so give it ago. Brighton isn’t even a bigger move. We are bigger than Brighton and that goes without saying.

[@robertchinn5263]

What a guy

[@henrymidwood4581]

John Nelis sent me

[@rawreefer4076]

12th or above......

[@Nibbles-w8j]

Let’s aim to win the premier league and when we don’t we will still be in the league mid table. So ridiculous goals to keep in

[@thomasmann7729]

This guy amazing

[@oscarlauriedoyle]

Is there a better club in the world to support right now? Not a chance

[@bigal3364]

Give over

[@mxttyuyt2374]

McKenna isn't going anywhere 🔵⚪

[@velocitygaming7037]

gl in the relegation again 😭 💀

[@FutRazz]

First

[@mr.piechipsandbakedbeans7967]

Second placed should not get a trophy, medals, but not a trophy. Trophies are for winners.

[@philmacfox]

I think you will find out that ipswich are winners.whats your next moan?

[@teegee84]

So 1st gets one and one team between 3rd and 6th gets a trophy but not 2nd…. Fair

[@mr.piechipsandbakedbeans7967]

@@teegee84 The playoff winners shouldn't get one eitehr! no trophy should ever be given for finishing 7th then beating 2 teams!

[@mr.piechipsandbakedbeans7967]

@@teegee84 Also you don't get a trophy for 2nd in the PL. It's a loser's trophy.

[@teegee84]

With a reward of promotion… yeah absolute losers 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@paulwilliams4382]

I’ve been an Ipswich fan for nearly 50 years. Yes we are going to get a few spankings next year that’s reality so not let beat around the bush survival is the aim and up yours the noisy neighbours suck them sour 🍇