Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert pays travel costs of loyal fans out of own pocket
The Ipswich Town聽boss covered the cost of each fan's 拢37聽ticket as a way of "saying thanks" for the support he has received.
Sunday 20 January 2019 20:29, UK
Their team is rooted to the bottom of the Championship after winning just three league games all season.
But a group of Ipswich Town fans had something to smile about despite another defeat on Saturday after manager Paul Lambert paid for their travel costs.
The Tractor Boys' boss covered the cost of about 50 fans travelling to their away fixture at Blackburn, amounting to around £1,800, as a way of "saying thanks" for the support he has received.
The reimbursement was accompanied by an individual note signed by Lambert on each of the fans' coach seats.
"On a personal note, I really appreciated the support I have received from the supporters," the note reads.
"And this is my way of saying thanks to people like you who travel all over the country to support this club."
Ipswich are bottom of the Championship and suffered a 2-0 defeat at Ewood Park, but the gesture was well received by fans.
"We follow our club no matter what, so for a manager to pay out of his own pocket for one of our trips is just amazing," Ipswich fan Nikki Sapsed said.
"Words can't describe this gesture."
Speaking about the gesture, Lambert told the BBC: "It's not a PR stunt - if it was, I would have done it at every club I've been at and I'd be skint!"
Lambert joined Ipswich in October, replacing Paul Hurst, with the club already at the foot of the Championship table.
The former Scotland international has since lost nine of his 14 games in charge, but cut the gap to safety to seven points, and recently said he would remain with the club even if they are relegated.