51AVÊÓƵ

One of the world's best-selling musicians and songwriters has chosen to unveil his investment into a newly promoted Premier League side while on farm in Suffolk.

Ed Sheeran, a lifelong Ipswich Town Football Club fan who are aptly known as the Tractor Boys, announced he had purchased a 1.4% stake in the club on Thursday (August 15).

Appealing to the county's strong farming connection, and the club's nickname, Mr Sheeran announced the news while filming at Kiln 51AVÊÓƵNursery in Ipswich with a scenic view of hay bales on a hot summer's day.

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In the video, he drove a New Holland T7 Blue Power tractor, emblazoned with the club's colours and crest, while covering Thin Lizzy's 1976 hit The Boys Are Back in Town - signifying Ipswich Town's return to the Premier League after a 22 year hiatus.     

According to Kiln 51AVÊÓƵNursery, the New Holland tractor was provided by agricultural machinery business Ernest Doe.

The video includes footage from the team's 2-0 victory against Huddersfield Town at Portman Road in May, a result which cemented their automatic promotion from the Championship in second place.

Scenes of jubilation and triumph can be seen in the video including Kieran McKenna, the former Manchester United first-team coach who now manages the side, being flung into the air by his squad while captain Sam Morsy lifts the runners-up trophy.

Having sold more than 150 million records, Mr Sheeran said he had fulfilled any footballing fan's lifelong ambition to own a small percentage of their club.

"I am really excited to announce that I have bought a small percentage of my hometown football club," he added.

"It is any football fans dream to be an owner in the club they support, and I feel so grateful for the opportunity.

"I have lived in Suffolk since I was 3, and although I have travelled the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of a community and protected.

"It is such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich town.

"There are ups and downs, but football is about taking the highs with the lows.

"I am not a voting shareholder or a board member, this is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please do not get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics."

Mark Ashton, chair of the Club, described Mr Sheeran's purchase as an 'incredibly proud day' for Ipswich Town FC. 

"The support Ed and his team have shown us over the last three years has been nothing short of remarkable and for him to make this investment in the club feels like the natural progression in our relationship," Mr Ashton added.

"For one of the biggest artists in the world to give us so much of his time and give the club such incredible exposure around the world, while asking for very little in return, highlights just what makes this relationship such a special one.  

"It has been a pleasure to get to know Ed and his team over the last three years and we look forward to building our relationship further now as the club enters the Premier League."

Paul and Ruth Goudy, who run Kiln 51AVÊÓƵNursery, said they were delighted to have the world-renowned musician on farm with them.

Ms Goudy said: "Although it seems like a dream, it was a most amazing day and it was real.

"We loved every minute."

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