Lifelong Ipswich Town player Luke Woolfenden has hit back at Wrexham’s Ollie Palmer’s controversial comments on the Tractor Boys’ ownership situation.
Wrexham’s record signing received backlash for his comments regarding Ipswich’s owners, mistaking claiming singer Ed Sheeran had been a part owner for the League One promotion side for the last seven years and not done as much as Wrexham’s Hollywood pair, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Who Is Luke Woolfenden?
The 24-year-old has been a key contributor to Ipswich’s promotion season this year, from where he has risen through the ranks since the age of nine. Versatile to play anywhere along the backline after loan spells at Bromley FC and Swindon Town, Woolfenden has been a regular for the League One side since.
What Caused The Stir?
Speaking on fellow teammate Ben Foster’s podcast Fozcast, Palmer got into the conversation about owners in the Football League.
Under the assumption that Ed Sheeran was a part owner of Ipswich, the prolific striker mentioned other celebrity owners to show appreciation for the work Reynolds and McElhenney have done for the Red Dragons.
While Palmer’s comments are just trying to praise his owners, Ed Sheeran has no part in Ipswich’s ownership, with his only involvement within the club being the Blues shirt sponsor over the last two seasons.
“There are names as big as them that own football clubs, lower league, Ed Sheeran.” Palmer added: “I don’t know what his share is but he’s a part owner. Has he done what these two guys have done? Nowhere near.”
“How long has Ed Sheeran been there? Six years? Seven years? He’s as big as Ryan and Rob right, Ed Sheeran is huge.
“I’ll ask you, has Ed Sheeran done as much for Ipswich as Rob and Ryan has done? It’s not easy what they’re doing, they make it look easy.”
Ipswich Respond?
Hearing the former AFC Wimbledon man speak wrongly about his club, Woolfenden took to Twitter to respond.
What a weird thing to make up https://t.co/Qh8viPhsBe
— Luke Woolfenden (@lukewoolfenden) May 22, 2023
Writer’s View
Palmer has received a lot of backlash on social media for his mistake, with a reputation starting to go against the National League champions.
While Palmer’s arrogance has backfired this time around, my main problem is how Ben Foster and his co-host agree with his statement. Now I don’t expect the hosts to know the small details on Ipswich and Sheeran, however, agreeing that the club have not done much and making an attempt to disregard their promotion back to the Championship is weird and unprofessional behaviour.
