I want to use my column this week to shine a light on Ipswich Wanderers. As you know, I have really enjoyed my visits to Ipswich Wanderers over the past few years.

In this time, they have been on quite the journey and achieved significant success on the pitch, with back to back promotions over the past two seasons. All of those on and off the pitch deserve great credit for this.

However, the rapid promotions have meant that a number of improvements and upgrades need to be carried out at their ground “The Doucy” to ensure it is compliant with the Isthmian League North Division requirements. All of this costs money and time is of the essence. If Ipswich Wanderers are not able to raise the funds to carry out these improvements soon, there is a risk they will be demoted. That would be such a sad outcome after all of the hard work that took them up two divisions in two seasons.

Established in 1980, Ipswich Wanderers very quickly became a community hub. They started as an under 14’s boys team, and two years later entered the lowest division of the Ipswich Sunday League. The club now has seven teams and has a key place in the hearts of many.

Ipswich Wanderers are a great coming back from adversity story. They survived near closure and curtailed COVID seasons around the turn of the decade to then achieve their back to back promotions.

Before I got interested in Ipswich Wanderers, I did not know that much about non league football. Not anymore. I have had the privilege of being invited to many games throughout my time as the Member of Parliament for Ipswich. Non-league football is the heart and soul of the community as demonstrated by our amazing local team.

It is nice to be able to turn up, have a pint while watching the game and to freely move about the ground. You can watch the games from many different vantage points which really adds to the experience. Ipswich Wanderers tend to play at home on the weekends Ipswich Town are away so no excuse not to go and support the club!

There is a crowdfunding page to raise money for the club’s much needed works to avoid relegation and for ActivLives, their charity partner whose focus is improving local communities through physical activity. Ipswich Wanderers Chair, Stephen Boyle will be joining the walk. Stephen has worked tirelessly alongside all of the staff and volunteers at the club to aid its success. It would be a great shame for all this hard work to result in relegation due to lack of funding.

If you are able to support your local community football club please follow this link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/walk4wanderers. Anything you can give would be warmly received. It is a great club that does so much for the local community. Please support if you can.