Ed Sheeran drives New Holland tractor to celebrate ITFC stake
19th August 2024
Ed Sheeran has shared a video of himself driving round a Suffolk farm in a New Holland tractor, as it’s announced that he has bought a minority stake in Ipswich Town Football Club.
The Suffolk-born superstar visited Kiln Farm Nursery in Kesgrave, Ipswich, and drove a New Holland tractor for a short film.
Ed Sheeran is a lifelong fan of Ipswich Town Football Club, and has been the front of shirt sponsor for the Men’s and Women’s teams since 2021.
He acquired 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.
Celebrating in blue
To celebrate, a jubilant Ed took a spin in a New Holland tractor – a perfect choice for the occasion with its trademark blue matching ITFC’s colours.
The tractor was bedecked in ITFC decorations and an ITFC numberplate.
Ruth Goudy, of Kiln Farm Nursery, told East Anglian Daily Times they were excited to welcome the megastar and his film crew.
After getting to grips with how to drive a tractor, Ed got to work and filming began.
Ms Goudy said: “I had to keep it a secret! We got a phone call the Monday before. I had thought it was a hoax. I was still thinking someone was going to jump out in a minute.”
Football fan’s dream
Commenting on his minority stake, Ed commented: “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!”
Proud day
Mark Ashton, chairman and CEO 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.”
Ipswich returned to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years on Saturday (17th August), with a 2-0 defeat at home to title hopefuls, Liverpool.
Despite an encouraging first half performance, two quickfire goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah in the second half were enough to see off the Tractor Boys, with Ed in attendance.
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