Ipswich Town owners backed to make Portman Road change - "they have to be careful" with one thing though | OneFootball

Ipswich Town have called Portman Road home since 1884

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town have been a club on a firm upward trajectory over the past few years.

The Tractor Boys suffered relegation to League One in 2019 and from there experienced multiple years of mid-table finishes in the third-tier.

Once Kieran McKenna was appointed as manager in December 2021, the Suffolk side slowly started to improve their competitiveness, before bursting into life during the 2022/23 campaign.

That season culminated in promotion to the Championship, but McKenna and Co. weren’t satisfied with stopping there.

Ipswich emerged as one of the second-tier promotion candidates the following year, and despite some late-season wobbles, managed to get over the line and attain Premier League status.

Although McKenna’s side suffered relegation straight back down to the Championship, they now possess arguably the division’s best sides and are expected to fight for promotion once more this term.

Given how much the Tractor Boys have progressed as a club in recent times, it’s only natural for suggestions about whether they may need to upgrade their current ground to grow even further.

Football League World’s Ipswich Town fan pundit, Adam Wilkin, believes that the Suffolk side should look to update Portman Road instead of moving to a new location entirely.

Ipswich Town advised to make Portman Road updates

“The club have definitely been looking at multiple options of extending the stadium,” stated Adam. “And given the trajectory that we're on, it is needed.

“But I think they've been very clear about doing it in a way that doesn't harm the atmosphere and doesn't harm the community. So, I can't see it being a stadium move.

“I can see it being a stand expansion somewhere. I think there's plenty of room around Portman Road to be able to extend out.

“You've got to be careful with the timing, because it's going to be a big project, so it will reduce the capacity at the start, but I think it's definitely within the ownership group's 5–10-year plan to expand Portman Road.”

Ipswich Town must ensure they remain competitive on the pitch

Although Ipswich Town may wish to expand Portman Road in the near future, they must ensure they remain competitive enough to do so.

After arriving back in the Championship this season, McKenna possesses a squad filled to the brim with quality, and he has no excuses not to guide the Tractor Boys into a promotion fight.

If they can return to the Premier League, it further warrants an increase in capacity or an update to facilities at their ground, whilst providing them with the necessary finances to do so.

Using the increased revenue from their top-flight status would be a smart way to time when the Suffolk outfit should make improvements to their stadium, as it limits any financial risks involved with the decision.

However, if they fail to go up and instead have to settle for Championship football over the next few years, the internal need for changes to Portman Road may lessen somewhat.

If the Tractor Boys do everything they can to maintain their competitiveness on the pitch, they should have everything they need to make stadium updates a viable and necessary objective.