Ed Sheeran has been a fan of Ipswich Town since he was a child, and in August he persuaded a footballer to sign for this club.
There’s that scene in the excellent Moneyball movie when Brad Pitt, GM of the Oakland Athletics, personally goes to the home of one of the players he wants to sign (Chris Pratt) to talk him into a deal. The divine Brad (who of course eats at the end of the scene) argues quite convincingly, the baseball player not wanted by other franchises says yes.
This is also a level of persuasion, and what Ed Sheeran did is even higher.
The 33-year-old English songwriter-singer has been an Ipswich Town supporter since childhood. Multiple Grammy award winner Sheeran has been the club’s shirt sponsor since 2021. The jersey inscription contains the titles of the singer-guitarist’s first three albums, i.e. the +, ax and ÷ signs, as well as the – and = symbols related to his world tour.
And in August 2024, he acquired a minority stake in the club, which means 1.4%. Ipswich is back in the Premier Leauge after 22 years, this season as a newcomer. As revealed in a story published on November 21, the club has a player who signed there under the influence of Ed Sheeran.
From the Reuters article it turns out Ipswich Town chief executive Mark Ashton revealed the British singer helped the club land a footballer moments before Sheeran performed with Taylor Swift.
When he found out that the handsome player was his fan, he immediately rushed to the aid of Ipswich to seal the deal.
“In the summer we tried to convince a certain player to join the club and we found out very quickly that he was an Ed Sheeran fan.
Ed popped in for a Zoom call with her on the practice field right before she took the stage with Taylor Swift. Hopefully that played a key role in the player signing for us,” Ashton said at a Soccerex event in Miami.
Ipswich players celebrate beating Tottenham © HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Photo: AFP
“We’ve gone from the third tier of English football all the way to the Premier League, but we haven’t forgotten our roots and Ed is a key part of that, our work in local communities is central.” he added.
Although Ashton didn’t reveal who the player was, he said: “He’s going to score some goals for sure!”
Only two Ipswich players have scored more than one goal this season – Liam Delap, who arrived from Manchester City in July, and Sammie Szmodics, who joined the club from Blackburn Rovers in August. Ed Sheeran himself was able to convince the latter.
He performed with Swift at the Eras Tour concert at Wembley Stadium a day before Ipswich announced the signing of Szmodics.
The actors of the Premier Leak podcast, Márk Soós (Spíler TV) and Peet Szabó (Spíler TV) expected the club to reach 19th place by the end of the PL season before the season, Bence Vályi (Spíler TV, Teljes Terjedelem) for 20th, the last position .
At Leak’s audience meeting a week ago, Bence Vályi said the following about Ipswich:
“You look at it and say, I understand what they are doing, maybe the players are not qualified to do it, but otherwise what the team is trying to do on the field is absolutely fine, you feel the added value of the coach. Unfortunately, not the frame is pretty good.”
The three experts ranked the team in 19th place after the 11 rounds of the Premier League so far.
Does the “Sheeran Factor” represent a sustainable strategy for attracting and retaining talent in football, or is it likely to be a short-lived phenomenon?
## The Sheeran Effect: A World-Today-News Interview
**Introduction:** Welcome everyone to World-Today-News! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating story about the intersection of music, football and fandom. Joining us are [Guest 1 Name and Expertise] and [Guest 2 Name and Expertise]. We’ll be exploring how global superstar Ed Sheeran’s passion for Ipswich Town FC has gone beyond mere support, impacting the club both on and off the pitch.
**Theme 1: Fandom and Ownership:**
* **[Guest 1]:** Ed Sheeran’s identification as a lifelong Ipswich fan resonates with many. How do you think his genuine connection to the club translates into his involvement as a shareholder and sponsor? Does this represent a new trend in fan ownership?
* **[Guest 2]:** Sheeran’s minority stake in Ipswich is a powerful statement. What are the potential benefits and challenges of this type of celebrity ownership for a football club, particularly one aiming for sustained success in the Premier League?
**Theme 2: The ”Sheeran Factor” in Recruitment:**
* **[Guest 1]:** The story about Ed Sheeran personally intervening to sign a player is captivating. Do you think this approach – leveraging star power to attract talent – is sustainable or merely a novelty? Could other clubs replicate this strategy?
* **[Guest 2]:** While the player’s identity remains undisclosed, how significant do you think Sheeran’s involvement will be in building a successful team? Could this create a unique brand appeal for Ipswich, drawing in both players and fans?
**Theme 3: Community Impact and Local Roots:**
* **[Guest 1]:** Beyond the football pitch, Sheeran emphasizes Ipswich’s commitment to its local community. How do you see his presence potentially shaping the club’s outreach programs and its relationship with the town?
* **[Guest 2]:** The article mentions Sheeran’s jersey sponsorship featuring symbols from his music. How effective do you think these types of collaborations are in connecting a football club with a wider audience and fostering a sense of community pride?
**Theme 4: Ipswich’s Premier League Future:**
* **[Guest 1]:** Football pundits see Ipswich facing challenges in adapting to the Premier League. How do you think Sheeran’s influence, both on the field and in building the club’s brand, might impact its chances of staying in the top tier?
* **[Guest 2]:** Looking beyond this season, how do you see Ed Sheeran’s long-term involvement shaping the future of Ipswich Town? Could his ambition help elevate the club to a new level of success?
**Conclusion**:
We’d like to thank our guests [Guest 1 Name] and [Guest 2 Name] for sharing their insights on this fascinating story. The bond between Ed Sheeran and Ipswich Town FC goes beyond the typical celebrity endorsement. It’s a story that highlights the power of passion, community and the enduring magic of football.
