Ed Sheeran celebrates buying a stake in Ipswich Town, with a sing-song tractor ride in a brilliant video published on Thursday.
He becomes a minority shareholder of his boyhood club, reported to be 1.4%, with the investment not including a seat on the board.
The news comes as Ipswich prepares for its return to the Premier League after a 22-year absence, with their first match against Liverpool on Saturday (lunchtime kick off).
The club has also reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sign Sammie Szmodics from Blackburn Rovers, with the player set to undergo a medical. Additionally, Ipswich Town secure a season-long loan deal for Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City. See more on both them signings HERE.
📰 Ipswich Town is proud to announce that Ed Sheeran has acquired a minority stake in the Football Club.
Ed, a lifelong fan who has been the front of shirt sponsor for the Men’s and Women’s teams since 2021, has acquired his shares through Gamechanger 20 Ltd.
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 15, 2024
A 22-year wait is over
The Tractor Boys are back 🚜
#TheKickOff @edsheeran @IpswichTown pic.twitter.com/mvbcOH3RDT— Premier League (@premierleague) August 15, 2024
Ed's pre-match thoughts. 💙🎥#IPSLIV pic.twitter.com/tEYcvKfu9w
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 17, 2024
STATEMENT:
Ipswich Town can today announce that Ed Sheeran has acquired a minority stake in the Football Club.
Ed, a lifelong fan who has been the front of shirt sponsor for the Men’s and Women’s teams since 2021, has acquired his shares through Gamechanger 20 Ltd.
His total stake in the Football Club is 1.4%, and as part of the agreement, Ed will have long-term use of an executive box at Portman Road stadium, which he has personalised ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Ed will not join the board of the Football Club as this is a passive and minority investment only.
“I am really excited to have bought a small percentage of my hometown football club,” Ed said.
“It’s any football fan’s dream to be an owner of the club they support, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity.
“I have lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and, while I travel the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of the community and protected.
“It’s such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich Town. There are ups and downs but football is all about taking the highs and the lows. I’m not a voting shareholder or a board member, this is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please don’t get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics to play!
“I’m excited for the Premier League to start this weekend. Let’s go!”
Mark Ashton, Chairman of the Club, added: “This is an incredibly proud day for the Football Club.
“The support Ed and his team have shown us over the last three years has been nothing short of remarkable and for him to make this investment in the Club feels like the natural progression in our relationship.
“For one of the biggest artists in the world to give us so much of his time and give the Club such incredible exposure around the world, while asking for very little in return, highlights just what makes this relationship such a special one.
“It’s been a pleasure to get to know Ed and his team over the last three years and we look forward to building our relationship further now as the Club enters the Premier League.”
Ed also collaborated with the Tractorboys this summer in making their new third kit. You can take a look at that HERE.
Ipswich Town reveal new 24/25 pink third kit in collaboration with Ed Sheeran
Here’s how fans reacted as Ed Sheeran celebrates buying minority stake in Ipswich Town with a sing-song tractor ride…
@SayersBHAFC: What a guy 💙
@janthonydean: Whatever happens this season, What a great ride it’s been these last few years. Free hit this season with 0 expectation.
@mcglynn_colin: Wish you all the best from a burnley fan 👍
@petecarr14: oh we are SO back 🚜💙
@GorseGeek35: At this point, I don’t care if we get 20 points and get relegated. It’s genuinely classy that we’re back in town
@robpooley1: The under the skin content on YouTube so special so exciting truly represents every one in suffolk from ed sheeran to the great people working the land in this precious county #ITFC
@Emz_Lockwood: We are and so excited 😊 💙
@SeanRua123: Great to see a really passionate owner for such a passionate club – hopefully they stay up and do well this season
@ScrumpyDaniel: Another monumental day for the club. What is going on 😂. Surely Ed has got to get on the pitch at some point with his guitar and get a ‘We’ve got super Kieran McKenna’ chant going! #itfc
@stuarttthodson: It’s Ed’s world and we’re all living in it🤣 #itfc
@PeteVowles: The boys are back in town!
@AJWoody_3: Our new owner 😍 #itfc
@IpswichCulture: Videos like this make it sink in. This week has been a whirlwind of media. There’s something new every hour – videos, stadium upgrade photos, signings, radio specials, advertising us to millions. #itfc fans won’t be used to this – pinch me moments, for sure.
@Ipswoz87: Remember the day we got relegated and still hurt. It’s been a long time coming but we back baby !!! 💙🙌🏽
@RussRobinson170: In McKenna, Ashton and Ed we trust. Bring on the Premier league. ITFC 💙
@BigEdBanthorp: One of the worlds most recognisable celebs/biggest singers being a committed town fan and now part owner still blows my mind
Looking forward to ploughing up the league 😉🚜 pic.twitter.com/2h0wxwgAwd
— Very Finnish Problems (@VFinnishProbs) August 15, 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login