Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton apologises to fans after backlash to Nigel Farage’s stadium visit

Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton apologises to fans after backlash to Nigel Farage’s Portman Road stadium visit.

Farage visited the Championship club on Monday, images soon emerged of the Reform UK leader holding up an Ipswich No.10 shirt with his name on the back, used by the political party on social media.

A Reform party campaign video was then posted of Farage at Ipswich’s stadium, his controversial visit leading to an angry response, while the club claimed that it was apolitical and did not ‘support or endorse any individual party’.

🚨 WATCH: Ipswich Town’s Chairman apologises for hosting Nigel Farage

“I unreservedly apologise for any hurt, pain, distress that’s been caused” pic.twitter.com/iUfaTOrH0F

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) March 27, 2026

Transcribed with the help of TurboScribe!

Mark Ashton has now said sorry, saying in a video posted on Friday night: “I’m fully aware this has been a very difficult week for all of us. The staff are hurting, elements of the fan base are hurting, and so are elements of our local community. And that upsets me immensely. And for that, unreservedly, I want to apologise and say I’m sorry.”

Interviewer: “Can you understand that strength of feeling and the anger that supporters are feeling?”

Mark: “Yes, I understand that supporters and elements of the community are angry. I also understand that there are a number of mistruths out there on what’s actually happened this week.

“And I also understand that we have lessons to learn, because mistakes have been made which have caused harm and distress to parts of our local community.

“And as the chairman of the club, I take full responsibility for those mistakes and full responsibility for making sure that those lessons are learned and learned quickly.”

Interviewer: “How do we do that? How do we learn those lessons?”

Mark: “I think a prime example is the board, full board of directors, are now reviewing the policy in regards to how we engage with local politicians and political parties.

“The board are reviewing that right now and will decide how, if and when we do that moving forward. Because again, lessons have to be learned.”

Interviewer: “What’s your message to supporters who are feeling that hurt at the moment?”

Mark: “Again, I start with I’m sorry, because I’ve been at this football club for over five years now and I care passionately about this football club.

“Anyone who knows me knows that myself, my team, my directors, my investors get up every single morning wanting to make this football club a better place and improve us and move us forward quickly.

“To do that, we’ve been really successful in doing that together.

“And I know this will have dented an element of the trust and faith that we have between the club and its fan base. And we have to put that right.

“And to put that right, we have to work hard, continue with the plan that we’re doing and be the very best versions of ourselves. We have lots to do.

“And when we’ve been the best at what we do, we’ve been together. I repeat, it’s been a very difficult week for everyone. I unreservedly apologise for any hurt, pain, distress that’s been caused. But we are better when we move together as one.”

Interviewer: “And how do we best move forward now?”

Mark: “I repeat, as one, we have to learn our lessons as a football club. The hurt and pain that’s been caused this week is felt by myself, people within the club and we need to stay together as one.

“There’s lots to fight for on and off the pitch as we move forward. And I feel that we’ve always been better when we do that as one.

“And we do try to listen to supporters. And we do take on board their feelings and their thoughts on wind-raging things. And the biggest thing for me this week has been the hurt and frustration that fans have had. And again, I repeat, I unreservedly apologise for that hurt and pain. I’m genuinely sorry.

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Here’s the social media reaction as Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton apologises to fans after backlash to Nigel Farage’s stadium visit…

@Samwinton99: After 3 mins I have no idea what actually happened, what the mistruths are and what he is actually apologising for. ‘I’m sorry that people were hurt’ is not really an apology at all without acknowledging what they did wrong (the lying and allowing an advert to be filmed)

@SheldonMiller: This is why all football clubs should steer well clear of politics, just so divisive. We all go to football as a release from business, work, politics etc. it brings us all together under a community banner. Ipswich Town – a club that had no ill feeling from any other football fans aside Norwich – has spectacularly shot itself in the foot. Its brand image & value will be limping as a result for a good few months to come.

@CurtisYxtes: Whole load of waffle Mark, you’ve said a lot without actually saying anything of substance #itfc

@JRCT70: I’m not an Ipswich fan, but that is a piss poor statement. Apologising for the hurt is not the same as taking responsibility for what you did. I didn’t hear “I should never have done it” and if he’s not saying that, then what was the point?

@coybitfc: It is clear he knows he messed up and knows how annoyed/upset everyone is. At least he did us a video and apologised. I do feel sorry for McKenna though. Time to move forward and focus on the football. 8 games to go, let’s push for promotion. COYB

@_kieranbl: Well said. It’s clear he means it & understands it’s been a colossal fuck up. It’s up to everyone else now whether they accept it or choose to keep dwelling on it. Like he said, we’re stronger as one. Let’s just focus on what happens on the pitch, rather than off it #itfc

@DooleOllie: Apology issued. End of. Get behind McKenna and the players now, they’ll need us now more than ever. If people don’t want to do that, kindly fuck off #itfc

@mithITFC: Everyone makes mistakes in life, big and small. 99% of Ashton’s work here has been amazing, time to put this one to bed and get behind the boys for 8 MASSIVE games of footie. Forgiveness is a great skill 🙏 Uppa towen 🚜 #itfc

@ktlngfrd: If you’re gonna claim to take full responsibility, use “I” + “me” + “my”. There’s literally no acknowledgment of WHAT he’s apologising for. If you’re gonna claim “untruths”, then state the truths. Line needs to be drawn under this now but hardly a satisfactory conclusion #itfc@nmsonline: This is an absolutely gobsmacking video and a reminder of how important it is to have a journalist ask questions, not terrible corporate content framed as an interview. I’d like to meet a PR professional who thinks this went well.

@JonCouch_NLP: Time for the owners/board to take a serious look at the structure of the club. Mark Ashton clearly has a personal agenda in all this, so as CEO and Chairman, that’s dangerous. Nowhere else will you see one man covering both roles, it makes him accountable to no one