Ipswich Town Women hope for record crowd on Portman Road return
The occasion will be extra special for midfielder Kyra Robertson. The 22-year-old told BBC Look East that her family were all big Town supporters."They probably would not expect to see their younger sister playing on the pitch that they watch the men's team play on every week," she said."The club are fully behind us. It is so nice to have their support and I will really relish the opportunity to play here."Robertson said last season's fixture was the first time she had played at Portman Road."It was a great day. This town really supports the club as a whole," she said."It's not just the men's team or the glamorous fixtures that they play [in the Premier League] every week."Just before kick-off, when [Ipswich Town CEO] Mark Ashton broke the news in the changing room that we had hit 10,000, we couldn't believe it."Walking out, we could hear the crowd. It was amazing and to top it off with the 5-0 win, we were so happy."
Town Women go into Sunday's match trailing league leaders Hashtag United by three points with five games to play after losing 1-0 to their Essex rivals three weeks ago.Asked if they needed to win all their remaining fixtures, goalkeeper Negri, 21, said the occasion would not get in the way of the important job they needed to do."We take each game as it comes," she said. "We must put in a good performance, and it will be a bonus if we get the three points at Portman Road."The goalkeeper was signed last summer, having helped Crystal Palace win the Championship, and she has not yet played at the stadium."I am really excited to be part of it this year, being able to showcase what I can do personally and what we can do as a team," she said."I have been involved in big games before. I am used to the pressure of having a crowd and lots of outside noise. I can't wait."
Manager Joe Sheehan joined the club in 2019 and has guided the team to the third tier of women's football."Last year, we had an incredible attendance," he said."Seeing so many supporters [made it feel] like a typical men's matchday, but just on a slightly smaller scale."It was all about being trailblazers, to inspire the community and try to put on a performance to leave a lasting memory. It was a huge success."Sheehan said there were a number of bright players coming through the club's youth development pathway, which has been boosted by the rising prominence of the women's team.He is also pleased to see attendances continue to grow at Felixstowe, where Town Women play their regular home games."There always seems to be new fans – boys, girls, parents, pets! The club has been moving on an upwards trajectory in recent years and I feel our growth has been boosted following last season's game [at Portman Road]."
Leah Mitchell signed her first professional contract last July. The defender, who was named player of the month in February, took time out from preparations this week to spend time with the Women's under-14s and under-16s performance squads – a programme run by the Ipswich Town Foundation."It is always great to see the young girls play. I was one of them once," she said."Nowadays, there are so many professional female footballers for young girls to look up to. It is different from even a couple of years ago."The girls now have role models in the women's game, not just the men."Mitchell, 19, said the recent increased coverage of the women's game had inspired her."I loved it," she said. "I thought to myself it could be me, whereas before it was always the men I was watching."She added that she was pleased so many of the girls from the club's development squads would be watching on Sunday."We are not nervous – we are just so excited to play at this incredible stadium again. We can't wait to put on a show!"
Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal's final transfer priority would 'solve problems' as target is singled out
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo this summer, and Micah Richards believes the Gunners still need to sign a left winger before the transfer window shuts Micah Richards believes Arsenal's top transfer target should be a left winger, and Real Madrid's Rodrygo has been singled out as their problem solver. The north Londoners launched their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, as Riccardo Calafiori's first-half header proved decisive at Old Trafford. Mikel Arteta showcased his improved squad depth by bringing on Noni Madueke, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber during the second half. Yet Richards insists the Gunners can still strengthen their team further before the transfer window closes. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast about what Arsenal currently lack, he said: "You know what's really good about Arsenal now, I still think they're a left winger short or left forward short. "But if you look at Arsenal's bench today, you know Ben White started with Calafiori, and Lewis-Skelly last season was outstanding and Timber – he [Arteta] can change the full-backs now and not affect the team. The quality doesn't go down, so that would help him as long as everyone stays fit throughout the season. "Merino, the impact he had, Madueke come on – although I prefer Madueke on the right hand side rather than the left." Discussing the limitations on the left and how Real Madrid's talented Brazilian can provide a solution, Richards continued: "I just look at that position on the left hand side and think if they could sort that. When they were linked with Rodrygo, that could solve a lot of problems for them. "But yeah, nevertheless, it's a massive win away from home, and it just gives you the momentum that you need for the start of the season." Rodrygo has been consistently linked with the Gunners throughout the summer transfer window, following his reduced role at Madrid during the FIFA Club World Cup. New manager Xabi Alonso gave the 24-year-old just one start during the tournament, whilst previous boss Carlo Ancelotti also failed to make the forward a priority starter in the last campaign. With Tottenham Hotspur appearing to edge closer to securing Arsenal's other attacking target, Eberechi Eze, Rodrygo remains the most frequently mentioned alternative. But despite the north London club being amongst numerous Premier League sides keen on the young Brazilian, Alonso has said he is "counting on everyone" this season at Madrid. Currently, Rodrygo is among six forwards that the Madrid manager has selected in his squad to face Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening – though this doesn't ensure a starting position. Should the 24-year-old be considering a potential exit from the Spanish champions for more consistent first-team opportunities, then Arteta might be the perfect figure to lure him to the Premier League this campaign. Madrid have reportedly valued Rodrygo at a hefty £86million (€100m) and are said to be open to letting the player leave if he wishes to. With the transfer window not closing until September 1, Arsenal still have time to negotiate and find their ideal star man on the left, whether that's Rodrygo or another player. In the meantime, they could also offload additional fringe players, such as Fabio Vieira, to increase their budget and free up space in the squad. Arsenal have already bolstered their attacking line this season with the signings of Viktor Gyokeres and Madueke. However, Richards is adamant that if Arsenal wants a shot at Premier League glory, they'll need to either sign someone like Rodrygo or identify another left-sided forward to aid their new campaign. Co-host Gary Lineker feels that Arsenal will get another shot at title glory if they continue in their current form, without losing any players through injury. Following Richards' call for a left attacker, Lineker said: "Yeah if Gyokeres does hit it off, they [have a chance]. "That's added to the fact that they now look like they've got a bit more strength in depth, and if they can avoid perhaps one or two of the big injuries they had last season – most notably Odegaard and Saka, and then Havertz towards the end of the season – then you know, they'll have a real chance." The Gunners are set to host newly-promoted Leeds United in their first home match of the 2025/26 season at the Emirates Stadium, with kick-off at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Scottish Sun
19 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Football steward who was sacked for sending colleague rude Nicola Sturgeon meme wins £8k compensation
The tribunal heard that Mr Romano accidentally forwarded the images to his colleague, rather than a friend with the same first name A FOOTBALL steward who was sacked for sending a rude meme of Nicola Sturgeon and Russell Brand has won over £8,000 in compensation. Gennaro Romano worked for Norwich City when he sent two mocked-up images to a work colleague on WhatsApp, an employment tribunal was told. 2 Gennaro Romano was a senior steward and worked at Carrow Road stadium on match days Credit: Getty He claimed that he accidentally forwarded the images to the Championship club's academy boss, Neil Hunter, instead of a close friend called Neil Brooksby. However, he was fired from his role for gross misconduct after bosses at the club said the images could be seen as sexist, transphobic and racist, according to The Times. Mr Romano, who was 48 at the time, was sacked after 12 years of unblemished service and told he was "not fit" to work for the club. He has now successfully sued Norwich City for wrongful dismissal and won £8,299 in damages after an employment judge found the dismissal to be "not reasonable'. The tribunal heard that Mr Romano was a senior steward at the club and began working at Carrow Road stadium on match days in 2011, whilst also working with Royal Mail. Mr Romano, an Italian, was paid £24 for an afternoon of stewarding when he started and then worked his way up to section head, only missing two matches in 12 years. In September 2023, he was asked to attend an investigation meeting over two images he sent to Mr Hunter, the club's head of academy operations. One mocked-up image was of Ms Sturgeon and Brand, while the other was with Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. Both of which included rude messages. At the time, Mr Hunter said he received the images from Mr Romano out of the blue. Mr Romano was then asked if he remembered sending the WhatsApp messages to Mr Hunter at the investigation meeting. Nearly 100 Workers Sue Scots Window Firm After Sudden Factory Collapse The tribunal heard: "[Romano] didn't remember sending any such message. He was then shown a screenshot of two images received by [Hunter]. '[Romano] explained that he had received the messages on his phone from a friend. He hadn't meant to send the messages to Hunter or even realised that he had done so. '[Romano] had [Hunter's] number in his phone because he had spoken to him about helping with the drivers, but had never messaged or called him before mistakenly sending the messages in question.' Mr Romano was asked why he would send the images to a friend, and he said it was "banter". At the time, he told Norwich bosses: "Because it was funny. It is just what you do now, sharing messages. I am confused… This was a mistake. I meant to send it to my mate.' While they accepted that sending the images was a mistake, they dismissed his defence that it was "banter" and suggested that he should not send them even in his personal life, the tribunal found. Mr Romano said: "The images are what they are. I have been here a long time, and I have been judged on two pictures. 2 Mr Romano successfully sued Norwich City for wrongful dismissal Credit: Getty "I understand that they are wrong, no question, but that doesn't define me, those two pictures. "I will say it again, I am sorry. What I did was wrong. You can't say I'm sorry enough or I didn't understand the pictures enough.' Mr Romano was sacked for gross misconduct, however, Employment Judge Sarah Moore said the manner in which the decision to dismiss was reached was "riddled with unfairness". According to the Times, she said: 'In this case, we find that the sanction of dismissal was not within the range of reasonable responses open to [Norwich City FC]. "The decision-making process by which the decision to dismiss was reached was riddled with unfairness and it was not one which any reasonable employer would have taken.' Judge Moore added: 'It is accepted that [Romano] sent the messages to the member of the [club] by way of genuine mistake. "Further, there is no evidence that [Hunter] considered himself to have been harassed by having received the messages or was even offended by the messages.' Mr Romano's further claim of race discrimination was dismissed, and his application to get his job back failed. Norwich City FC have been contacted for comment by The Scottish Sun.
Daily Mirror
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham close in on £8m deal for Man City star in latest transfer statement
Wrexham have invested heavily this summer as they attempt to retain a place in the Championship and now look set to sign one of Manchester City's brightest stars Wrexham are reportedly closing in on a stunning deal for Manchester City defender Callum Doyle as their summer recruitment drive continues. The Welsh club have splashed the cash this summer following their promotion to the Championship. Wrexham have already spent around £20m throughout the window, while they have also smashed the club record transfer with a £7.5m deal for Ipswich's Nathan Broadhead. But it appears that they aren't quite finished there. The Athletic report that the Championship side are now closing in on a £8m swoop for Man City youngster Callum Doyle. He also has interest from Rangers and Sheffield United but Wrexham appear to have won the race for his services. Doyle, 21, is a product of City's academy having been at the club throughout his youth career. But he has made just two senior appearances for the side. He has had more luck out on loan though. He helped Sunderland to promotion in 2022, and then reached the Championship playoff final the following season with Coventry. The defender then joined Leicester, winning the Championship, while he spent last season on loan with Norwich City. Speaking earlier this summer, he admitted that he was ready for pastures new. "I think (a permanent move) is the next aim for me," Doyle told the Pink Un. "It's my fourth loan now, and I've been all over the country. "I've got nothing to say bad about this club. I love it. I've loved playing here and at Carrow Road. The fans are great, so you never know (about a return). It just depends on what happens in the summer, to be honest." How will Wrexham do in the Championship this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below Meanwhile, Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has revealed that he is still keen to welcome a few more new faces to the Racecourse Ground ahead of next month's deadline. He said: 'We're looking across the board. We probably do need a couple more players, we're looking at that. "It's ongoing, it's obviously busy for all managers and clubs at the moment when you're preparing for games and looking to improve the squad. The lads we've brought in at the moment are really good and I'm pleased with the way they've settled in." Wrexham have lost each of their opening two Championship games. They were dramatically beaten by Southampton late on before falling to defeat to Norwich City. They will continue their search for their first win of the campaign this weekend as they host crisis club Sheffield Wednesday.
