Ipswich Town's Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was one of those out in the town on Wednesday night

Ipswich Town: Fans’ fury over stars’ night out in wake of Jewell exit

By stuart watson Friday, October 26, 2012
10:02 AM

IPSWICH Town fans have reacted angrily after five Blues stars were seen enjoying a night out just hours after Jewell’s departure.

The struggling club has confirmed that five first team players were out late ahead of Chris Hutchings’ first training session as temporary boss.

Although a club spokesman claimed no official rules have been broken, chief executive Simon Clegg and caretaker manager Hutchings are said to be “dealing with it”.

Skipper Carlos Edwards – who was celebrating his 34th birthday on Wednesday – last week admitted players had ‘taken advantage’ of Jewell being ‘too nice’.

After Jewell had left the Championship’s rock-bottom club by mutual consent earlier in the day, social networks were awash with sightings of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Carlos Edwards, Paul Taylor, Josh Carson and Michael Chopra in Vodka Revolution.

A club spokesperson said: “We are aware that a number of our players were out late into the evening on Wednesday.

“Although they were not breaking any official club rules by being out, this has been brought to the attention of chief executive Simon Clegg and caretaker manager Chris Hutchings who are now dealing with it.”

Edwards had been due to face more than 100 fans at the Official Supporters’ Club AGM on Wednesday evening. However, chief executive Simon Clegg explained that he ‘did not think it was in the best interest of getting a result on Saturday’.

One eyewitness said: “They were all friendly. Chopra was out but he was not drinking.”

“I think it’s an insult to the club,” said Kyle Jennings, a committee member of the Spirit of 78 supporters’ club.

“I was at the AGM [Wednesday] night and Simon Clegg categorically stated that Carlos Edwards was totally concentrating on Saturday’s match and was not there because he was preparing for it.

“In my opinion they all need to be disciplined. It’s another embarrassing step the club have taken.

“I think we need someone like Mick McCarthy to come in and tell the players ‘You are fools’.

“They need to be told they are in the public eye and have responsibilities.

“They have a duty to keep their heads down.”

A fan, who did not wished to be named, said: “I reckon the players should have been keeping their heads down – not just because of the Jewell situation but also because Town have been doing so badly lately.”

Another disgruntled fan added: “I would have thought it is not the best idea to go out on the same night as Jewell leaving and just a few days before a game.”

Meanwhile, local Labour councillor Alasdair Ross has defended the decision for the players to go out.

He said: “It might have been a planned event for all we know. If it was, I don’t think it should have been [postponed or cancelled].

“A lot of them are young men and they don’t get to go out at the weekends like a lot of us do. A lot of the time they are at home with their wives. All I’m concerned about is the display on Saturday.”

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16 comments

"the Spirit of 78 supporters’ club" that's the problem too many Town fans spend all their time living in the past.

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j1963

Saturday, October 27, 2012
Only the Star could make a story from players actually having a private life!

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j1963

Saturday, October 27, 2012
just because they are pro footballers why shouldn't they go out to celebrate a team mates birthday

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dottieb

Friday, October 26, 2012
anyone else heard the rumours bout Alan Shearer coming to manage Ipswich?

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emmo61

Friday, October 26, 2012
Bring in Mick McCarthy NOW. we need to install pride in ITFC and have players realise it's a privilage and honour to play for town. There is plenty of time to enjoy nights out in years to come when they have finished making themselvs financially secure for life. Those who say they are "normal young men enjoying a night out" should remember they are not normal - they will earn more in 5 years than most hard working fans in their lifetime - the key word here being EARN!

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emmo61

Friday, October 26, 2012
What is the problem ...they went out in their own time ....they caused no problems, they were obviously enjoying themselves...sounds to me like some jealous people trying to stir the proverbial, and of course the Ipswich star had to publicise it ...

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ukmartian

Friday, October 26, 2012
why should the players not be allowed to go out and enjoy themselves, from what the report says they werent all drinking and they were well behaved.if simon clegg gave a statement then surely he lied or presumed the player wasnt going out.from ipswich towns performance lately it wouldnt matter whether they went out or not as i dont think it will affect their performance.

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Teresa Mcgrath

Friday, October 26, 2012
Ipswich fans whingeing? Surely not.

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beerlover

Friday, October 26, 2012
If this was a pre planned birthday outing for Edwards and they didn't stay out to all hours can see noting wrong with it. But in the current climate it would have been better not to live it up so visibly. Let's see how they play tomorrow, when we must win to set us on the path upwards.

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JOHN BURLS

Friday, October 26, 2012
Perhaps they were celebrating, like the rest of ITFC fans,the fact that PJ had finally gone!! I would've thought that people are allowed out for a drink, without small minded people getting all hysterical about it.

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graham smith

Friday, October 26, 2012
What a misleading headline! Does anyone really believe that Ipswich Town have "five stars"?!!

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england1770

Friday, October 26, 2012
oh chill out, they can go and enjoy a night out if they want, if it was a friday night, sure, but they have plenty of time to remain crap ready for saturdays game, footballers are allowed a little enjoyment

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tony cowling

Friday, October 26, 2012
What a load of hot air this non-story is!

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Dickie

Friday, October 26, 2012
I am with Alasdair Ross on this. Oh cares if they went out. I hope they enjoyed themselves. People just need to pipe down and let them be.

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Mr DJ

Friday, October 26, 2012
We need someone to install a sense of discipline,pride in the shirt and common sense into a talented but sadly lacking playing staff that find themselves bottom of the league for very good reasons. There is only one man out there who understands Ipswich Town Football Club,what it stands for and what it demands. George Burley your time has come again.

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mike blunt

Friday, October 26, 2012
Pathetic non-story again from the EADT - of interest only because it shows some Town fans areactually gullible enough to believe Clegg.

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Rob Steroo

Friday, October 26, 2012

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