Ipswich Town’s chairman Mark Ashton has shared an intriguing story about how pop sensation Ed Sheeran played a pivotal role in persuading striker Liam Delap to join the club last summer.
Despite Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League, the club knew they needed to strengthen their attack, and Delap was high on their radar after an impressive loan spell at Hull City.
The Battle for Delap’s Signature
With Ipswich back in the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, the competition for players like Delap was intense.
Ashton revealed that securing the young striker was no easy feat, and it took more than just football negotiations to seal the deal.
To tip the scales in Ipswich’s favor, Ashton called upon Sheeran, who has been a passionate supporter of the club for years.
A Surprise Call to Seal the Deal
In an interview on the Men in Blazers podcast, Ashton recounted the moment they decided to get Sheeran involved in the talks.
He explained that during a conversation with Delap, the topic of Sheeran’s involvement in the club came up.
When Delap mentioned his admiration for Sheeran, Ashton took the opportunity to call the pop star on FaceTime.
Ashton said, “We FaceTimed him, and if I get this correctly, you answered and you were two minutes away from going on stage with Taylor Swift.
We were like, ‘this can’t be real!’ And, less than a minute later, the player’s name was on a piece of paper, and we were all done. Thanks for that, mate!”
Ed Sheeran’s Lifelong Love for Ipswich Town
Ed Sheeran’s connection to Ipswich Town runs deep. A lifelong fan who grew up in Suffolk, Sheeran became the club’s shirt sponsor in 2021 and took on a minority ownership role in 2024.
He’s been spotted attending matches this season and has developed a strong bond with the team.
After Ipswich secured promotion, Sheeran celebrated with the players at a local sports bar, Chinny’s.
He shared his excitement about being personally involved with the team, saying, “It’s quite nice for me, though, to know the players on a personal level as well.
I get nervous watching them more than performing with Taylor Swift, which is saying something!”
Delap’s Impact at Ipswich
Since joining Ipswich, Delap has made a significant impact, scoring 10 goals in 28 league appearances.
However, despite his success, Ipswich is currently nine points from safety in the Premier League, facing a tough challenge to stay in the top flight.
If the team were to drop down, Sheeran may need to work his magic once more to keep Delap at Portman Road, with several clubs reportedly interested in the young striker.
In this high-stakes game of football and celebrity connections, Sheeran’s role in Ipswich’s recruitment plans has proven crucial, and it looks like his influence might be needed again as the season unfolds.