Ipswich Town: How to subscribe to our £3 for 3 months ITFC coverage

Back in April, I wrote about the launch of our digitial subscription offering. It was a difficult column to write, given I understood the natural opposition to the concept.

Why should you pay for something you're used to getting free? Trust me, I get it.

Subscribers get access to our weekly Kings of Anglia podcast videos - plus much more (Image: Newsquest)

But, thankfully, hundreds of you showed your support for what we do and signed up to our Town coverage.

That meant a lot to all of us, and I hope you enjoyed what we produced for you as Kieran McKenna's men surged to promotion.

Now, with Ipswich Town enjoying a cracking start to their Championship campaign and transfer deadline day just days away, we're offering a new deal - three months of access to all of our content for just £3.

If you have yet to be convinced of the value of subscribing - or perhaps you're just opposed to the concept of paying as a whole - let me explain why we're doing it, and why I hope you'll consider joining us.

Journalism, as I'm sure you know, is facing multiple challenges. Paper sales are declining, and will continue to do so - that's a cultural thing as much as anything else, with folks feeling that printed newspapers are perhaps less relevant and useful to them in today's ever-changing, fast-advancing world.

I understand that. I've worked in newspapers for almost a quarter of a century, and I can't remember the last time I actually bought one!

Stuart Watson, left, and Alex Jones covered Town in Austria this pre-season (Image: Newsquest)

But the traditional journalism business model has dictated that - on top of the cover price of a paper - advertising funds what we do.

As paper sales decline and things like social media sky rocket, we've seen a big fall in print advertising.

Our websites, though, are flourishing - but they, too, have to be supported by advertising.

And, as you'll have noticed, there's a lot of it! We know that lessens the user experience and makes you less inclined to use the sites - because you've told us.

So, we've come up with an option to take that away.

Sign up to our digital pack and you'll see 80% less advertising on your website and - and this is very exciting - also have access to our totally ad-free EADT app.

Mark Heath, left, interviewing Town CEO Mark Ashton on his first day in the job (Image: Newsquest)

I can't stress enough how much of an improvement that is and how clean the experience is.

And that's not just for Town content - you get all the latest news too, plus an excellent puzzles section which I find pretty addictive. I'm still aiming to beat my 15 minute PB on the daily crossword.

I would say it's great, of course - but please, give it a go for yourself.

That's why we're asking for subscriptions, then. But why should you join us?

For years now, Stuart Watson, Ross Halls and I have been dedicated to bringing you the best possible Ipswich Town coverage.

Stuart Watson quizzing former Town owner Marcus Evans (Image: Archant)

Through the bleak days of Marcus, Big Mick and a series of Pauls - Hurst, Lambert and Cook - we've tried to be a critical friend to the club. Always supportive, always hopeful but also always willing to ask difficult questions and call for change when required.

Andy Warren was a key part of that team too, and I was delighted for him - if personally gutted - when he scored his dream move to the club's PR department in the summer.

He's left some big shoes to fill, but I feel we've done some great summer business by signing young gun Alex Jones, fresh from covering Millwall in the Championship last season.   

And now, as Town finally return to the Championship, I believe we, too, are ready to take our coverage to the next level.

Ross Halls interviewing Town fans in Austria in pre-season (Image: Newsquest)

We are passionate about what we do. We are passionate about Ipswich Town Football Club. And, as Mark Ashton would say, we'll be relentless in bringing you the best coverage there is across written, video and audio platforms - including the hopefully soon-to-be-award-winning Kings of Anglia podcast.

Not only that, but you'll also have access to subscriber-only competitions like our Omari Hutchinson signed shirt draw and exclusive Q&A sessions with us in due course.

We know a lot of you like what we do - because you've told us - and we love bringing it to you.

Your Ipswich Town coverage team - (L-R): Stuart Watson, Mark Heath, Ross Halls and Alex Jones (Image: Newsquest)

I hope that you'll feel an investment of £3 for three months of coverage - roughly the same as half a pint of beer, depending where you drink - is a good price as we board this rollercoaster together once more.

These are incredibly exciting times at Ipswich Town. The Blues aren't content to just compete in the Championship - they are preparing to excel.

So join us and let us take you behind the scenes, on the road and into the press box as we cover it all - for you.

COYB!!!