Why ITFC skipped a big marketing splash for this year's kit launch
Rather than pouring money into a traditional marketing campaign, Ipswich Town has used this year's kit launch to fund football kits for grassroots clubs across Suffolk instead – a decision nine months in the making.
Why it matters: Kit launches are notoriously expensive. Instead of following the normal kit launch playbook, Town chose to redirect that budget to grassroots football in the county.
The details: The club has been working with Suffolk FA since October on the plan, which offers all 115 registered grassroots youth football clubs in Suffolk the chance to apply for a grant covering the cost of a full kit for one of their teams for the 2026/27 season. More than 70 clubs have accepted the offer so far, and the application process remains open.
Both the new home and away kits are out now, available to buy online and from the club's Planet Blue store at Portman Road.
What they're saying: Town Chairman Mark Ashton said: "Launching and marketing new kits in the modern era can often see clubs invest significant sums but, throughout the design process of the new shirts, we were clear we wanted to use the opportunity to use this resource positively and make a difference across the county."
He added: "We are incredibly proud to be supporting grassroots football in Suffolk as part of our kit launch this season."
Shots of the new kits (Photos: ITFC)
Robert Peace, Suffolk FA Interim Chair, welcomed the move: "The grant offered by Ipswich Town is a significant and welcome one, which will benefit so many clubs across Suffolk.
"For the county's only professional football club to make a gesture like this highlights the strength of community across Suffolk, and the importance of the grassroots game to so many people."
The bigger picture: Around 40 young footballers from clubs taking part in the scheme visited Portman Road last night, joining men's first-team players Leif Davis and Christian Walton and Ipswich Town Women striker Princess Ademiluyi to help reveal the new kits. The gesture ties into the club's "Us And Our People" mantra, which it says reflects the connection between players and the wider Ipswich and Suffolk community.
The bottom line: Instead of a conventional marketing campaign, Town has chosen to put its kit launch budget directly into grassroots football – with more than 70 Suffolk clubs already benefiting and more to follow.
Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.
This article cost us ~£21 to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.
Below the line