Five things we learned from Ipswich Town chairman's interview
Harvey Bell/BBCIpswich Town's chairman and chief executive Mark Ashton has given a wide-ranging interview with the BBC in which he shared frustration with refereeing decisions and issued a rallying call to fans.
Ashton, who presided over back-to-back promotions before last season's relegation back from the Premier League back to the Championship, spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk's Matchday Preview show on Friday.
In conversation with Graeme McLoughlin, he also spoke about plans to develop the club's Portman Road stadium and criticised travel arrangements for next month's East Anglian derby.
He also issued a rallying cry to Tractor Boys' supporters after a series of "frustrating" results in their pursuit of an immediate return to the top flight.
He is angry at refereeing decisions – but doesn't want VAR
Ashton's appearance came at the end of a week where Town dropped two points in their push for automatic promotion following a controversial last-minute penalty decision at Stoke City, which infuriated boss Kieran McKenna.
In the previous game, against Leicester, Ipswich were denied a last-gasp penalty when Cedric Kipre was fouled in the area - with McKenna revealing a refereeing body had since apologised for the decision.
Left-back Leif Davis has also been handed a three-match ban for violent conduct, which Ashton says he is "incensed" by.
Asthon told fans to "read the tone of my voice" as he described being "frustrated, disappointed and beyond annoyed at a week of officiating which has clearly cost us four points".
He said he had to be "tempered in what I say" but would speak to the EFL and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to "defend my manager, my players, my team and represent this fanbase to the best of my ability."
Despite admitting to being "angry", he said he would not support the introduction of video assistant referees (VAR) - commonplace in the Premier League - in the Championship.
However, he added that "referees need assistance with [addressing] clear and obvious errors."
He wants the club to remain in the town 'forever'
Reflecting on off-field matters, Ashton said Town's ownership was "relentless" in its pursuit of improved infrastructure.
He revealed that the club's Playford Road training ground was "well on track, on time and on budget" for completion in June.
He said the project would provide "the most elite sporting facilities Suffolk has ever seen", adding that they would be "Premier League standard" and a benefit to not only the senior men's team, but its academy, women's and grassroots set-up.
Ashton said the club was working with Ipswich Borough Council to increase the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road in a way that "dovetails what they want to do with what we want to do".
Earlier this week, plans for a multi-storey car park were submitted as part of a masterplan for the area outside the stadium.
Despite the club's ambition to reach and maintain Premier League status, Ashton said the owners had no intention of pursuing a new stadium in the future.
"History, tradition and location is important," he said. "I'm not a huge fan of out-of- town football clubs... we want to rebuild the club, build the town, build the county [of Suffolk]... all things that ensure the club for ever remains at Portman Road".
He underestimated what derby victory would mean to fans
Ipswich ended a remarkable 16-year wait for an East Anglian Derby victory earlier this season - with Ashton stating he "underestimated" the impact of ending the hoodoo over Norwich City.
He said the celebrations were such that October's 3-1 win at Portman Road "almost surpassed" the achievement of promotion from League One in 2023 and the Championship in 2024.
"I underestimated the amount of hurt sitting with the fanbase, having not beaten them for such a period of time," he said.
"The town literally shut down that night; the pubs were running dry. It really made me realise the importance of it."
Town will attempt to complete a league double over the Canaries for the first time since the 2006-07 season when the sides meet at Portman Road on 11 April.
PA MediaHe 'passionately' believes in Town's women's team
Ashton said he was keen support the continued growth of the club's senior women's team.
Ipswich Town Women were promoted to WSL2 last season and, despite being bottom of the division, are unbeaten in their last four matches and in contention for a second season in the league.
"Moving forward, we want to continue to invest in the women's team," Ashton said.
"It's expensive, the crowds aren't there, the commercial revenue, the broadcast deals aren't there... but it is something we passionately believe in."
The Tractor Girls, who are playing most of their home games at Colchester United, will return to Ipswich for a league match against Southampton on 28 March.
Asthon called for fans to "pack out" Portman Road for the match.
"We want to build the fanbase and build a successful future for our women's side" he said.
He wants fans to 'dig that bit deeper'
With the club in the race for a place in next season's Premier League, Ashton said he had a "Premier League plan and a Championship plan" to cover both possible outcomes.
The Tractor Boys are currently in the second tier's play-off places, but only just outside of the automatic promotion spots.
Ashton made clear where the club's ambitions lay as he called on fans to come together for the final part of the season.
"There's a reason I have this club tattoed on my skin," he explained.
"I care about this club more passionately than I ever have about any other football club.
"The fans have always dug deep, always delivered... right now I'm asking them to go again: to dig that bit deeper, to stay as one... to make more noise and produce the best atmosphere at Portman Road.
"We need to all get behind the team. We have to be as one.
"I'm so grateful for what they [supporters] have done in the past, but right now we need this fanbase more than ever".
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