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Ellisons Solicitors

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Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Less than 1% of football arrests last season involved Ipswich Town fans

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Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Ipswich Town supporters accounted for just 0.6% of all football-related arrests last season, despite a small increase in incidents.

Why it matters: While arrests of Ipswich Town fans doubled from eight to sixteen in the 2023-24 season, this represents a tiny fraction of the club's support base and an even tinier fraction of football arrests nationwide.

Liam Delap celebrating a goal for Ipswich
Town fans celebrating Liam Delap putting them 1-0 up against Fulham at Portman RoadAlamy

By the numbers:

  • 47 million people attended men's domestic and international matches in England and Wales last year.

  • 2,584 total football-related arrests.

  • 16 Ipswich Town fans arrested in 2023-24, up from eight the previous season.

Breaking it down: The arrests of Ipswich Town fans included:

  • 6 for public disorder

  • 4 for possession of pyrotechnics

  • 3 for alcohol offences

  • 2 for violent disorder

  • 1 for throwing missiles

The big picture: Despite a 14% increase in football-related arrests nationally, police reported a 12% decrease in matches with incidents.

What they're saying:

  • Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Police Chiefs' Council: "The vast majority of football fans are law-abiding citizens who want to support their team."

  • Football Supporters Association: "The problem with this hyper-focus on arrest tables is it makes football seem like a dangerous place, which kids and families should steer clear of, and that's just not true."

Between the lines: Six Ipswich Town supporters were subject to banning orders at the end of the season, with four new orders issued last season.

The bottom line: While any increase in arrests is concerning, the figures show that Ipswich Town fans are overwhelmingly well-behaved, with trouble-makers representing a tiny minority.

Sources

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

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