A new podcast seeks to tell the story of Ipswich Town’s revival and the impact this could have on the community.
Richard Popple, alongside 2020 Recordings, released a new six-part audio documentary series, Rolling with the Punches, in November.
The series aims to explore the club’s history, its 2021 American takeover, its subsequent resurgence, and ends with its re-entry into the top tier of English football.
Mr Popple (left) with former Town captain Luke Chambers, at the podcast’s launch. Picture: Richard Popple
Mr Popple, who grew up in Ipswich but lives in London, was curious that the town’s decline seemed to coincide with the club ‘fading into obscurity’ after its last outing in the Premier League in 2002.
He hoped the club’s recent successes could have a positive knock-on effect for Ipswich itself.
The 40-year-old said: “I got thinking on what the true value of a football club is within a community and I thought Ipswich would be a good case study.
“We wanted to tell the story of the club, touch on historical achievements and the last time we were in the Premier League and what its incredible revival could mean for the community.
“Ipswich is not a market town any more and never will be again, so what will it be in the future? We also tried to explore these questions.”
The team spoke to more than 30 people associated with both Ipswich Town and the community for the project.
These include football finance expert Kieran Maguire; Jack Abbott, the town’s MP; Guardian journalist Nick Ames; Dan Palfrey, the head of Ipswich Town Foundation; Phil Ham from TWTD and Joe Bailey, who runs the Brighten the Corners music festival.
The podcast explores the history of Ipswich Town and its relationship with the community. Picture: Richard Popple
The series also features music by a number of local and regional artists.
“Ipswich has an identity problem, seemingly always down on itself, which has only increased in the past 20 years ” Mr Popple said. “We wanted to find out why and what the club can do to help move it forward.”
However, now the series has concluded, Mr Popple said Ipswich had more to offer than he expected.
The scene from Ipswich Town’s promotion. Picture: Richard Popple
As part of the project he chatted with those seeking to change the town’s image, believing Ipswich could be a strong destination.
He said: “Ipswich has its own culture and there’s not enough positivity here and it’s seen as a poorer cousin to the rest of Suffolk. I hope that the ambition displayed by the club could be matched by the creatives and businesses at the heart of the community.
“The football club could be a leader in this, not just by being in the Premier League but by lending its support to other institutions, like we’ve seen with the University of Suffolk
Rolling with the Punches is on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Picture: Richard Popple
“There’s more going on here than meets the eye but there’s a vacuum in the town centre. It needs vision.
“Why can’t Ipswich become the Bristol or Brighton of the East? We need to aspire for better rather than longing for the days of Woolworths or Debenhams.”
Mr Popple said he first had the idea to do a podcast on Ipswich Town after their promotion to League One.
However, he and the producers had to move quickly, he said, as no one anticipated back-to-back promotions under Kieran McKenna.
He said reception from Town fans young and old had been positive, with younger fans learning of the rich history of the club during its heyday in the 1970s.
He added: “There’s nothing quite like what we’ve done out there. There are lots of podcasts out there – which are amazing – but this is championing, questioning and highlighting why football clubs matter so much.
“It’s important they’re run properly and are community facing, not just to fans but to everyone – it can be incredibly beneficial, and it gives the people something to believe in and be proud of.”
The team are looking to speak to Town chairman and chief executive Mark Ashton for a one-off episode.
However, for future seasons they hope to shine a light on other communities and their football clubs in different parts of the country.
Rolling with the Punches is available on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get in touch with Richard via r_popz on Instagram.
It contains the following episodes:
► Episode One: Who Are Ya?!, which focuses on the club’s history and the impact its new success is having on the town
► Episode Two: Takeovers, discussing the new American ownership
► Episode Three: The Place Behind The Badge, looking at how the club should share the spotlight to revive the town
► Episode Four: Brand Ipswich, highlights some of those trying to reverse Ipswich’s image
► Episode Five: The Ipswich Way, which covers the work of Ipswich Town Foundation
► Episode Six: Running Towards Adversity, which discusses what the future could hold