Talk of the Town - an exclusive weekly look at Ipswich Town

Whenever Ipswich reveal their new season-ticket prices it triggers memories of an ongoing and long-running argument about our Blues coverage.

As ever, that was again the case the other day, when the club announced they were freezing prices for a fourth consecutive year.

At this time of year, it always makes me think about the debate we have regarding coverage of Town in our newspapers, like the Essex County Standard.

Some take exception to the fact we cover a Suffolk team in Essex publications, claiming it should be left exclusively to our colleagues up the A12.

However, that line of thought always gets my hackles up, not least when disparaging comments are left alongside our stories on the web.

Admittedly I’m biased, as both a fan and reporter, but I can never understand such a lop-sided argument, given the obvious presence of so many Blues fans living and working in north Essex. Every year, following the announcement of the new prices, I make contact with the club’s very efficient ticket office and call centre manager, John Ford.

And each time he confirms what most of us already know – that fans in this area are an integral part of Ipswich’s support.

Town’s season-ticket holder base for this season is 15,950.

Of that figure, 2,387 have a ‘CO’ Colchester postcode, around 15 per cent, and you also have to remember the club has thriving supporters branches in Clacton, Manningtree and Witham and Mid-Essex.

There’s obviously an interest and demand for the coverage, too.

Check the top ten most-read stories on the County Standard home page and invariably two, three or even four of the reports will be about Ipswich.

Anyway, rant over! Clearly, it’s a subject close to my heart so forgive me venting steam. Colchester United should and always will remain our priority, in terms of coverage, but there’s certainly more than enough room and demand for Ipswich coverage.

Good on the club for freezing their prices again.

You could argue they had no choice, given the obvious frustration and disappointments of this season.

However, we all know there’s not necessarily a correlation between prices and form on the pitch, so they deserve credit for rewarding the loyal fans.

Talking of loyalty, I read that 88 supporters attended the recent quartet of away games, at QPR, Peterborough, Sheffield Wednesday and Scunthorpe.

To sacrifice so much time, not to mention expense, shows unbelievable dedication and it’s nice to hear they’re going to receive a letter of thanks from Blues chief executive Simon Clegg.

It would be interesting to know how many of those hardy souls hail from north Essex.

It was certainly good to get back on home soil last weekend, although I still can’t believe Town didn’t beat Bristol City.

Former U’s goalkeeper Dean Gerken was the undoubted hero, making half-a-dozen vital saves and most notably the one to frustrate Gareth McAuley.

Mind you, I suspect tongue was firmly lodged in cheek when he apparently said afterwards that he deliberately left Connor Wickham’s missile-throw that sailed over him into the Robins goal.

The ‘goal’ was rightly disallowed, because no-one got an all-important touch, but I don’t for one minute believe he meant to rush out and miss his punch!

Fair play, though. Gerken deserved a piece of luck after producing such an outstanding performance.

City boss Gary Johnson said that afterwards and so too, to be fair, did a typically forthright and honest Roy Keane.