Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna has reportedly turned out to help the local council clear up piles of litter which had been left behind on the town’s streets after supporters turned out to celebrate their side’s promotion to the Premier League.
Jubilant scenes erupted at Portman Road on Saturday after McKenna’s side claimed a 2-0 victory against Huddersfield to cement their standing in second-place in the Championship and book their place in English football’s top-flight after a 22-year absence.
Ipswich’s heros took to the streets on Bank Holiday Monday to celebrate their achievement in style, as thousands of fans flocked to cheer on the Tractor Boys on a boozy open-top bus parade.
Footage emerged showing that supporters had left behind empty beer bottles, boxes and plastic bags throughout the town. Council bosses had urged fans to enjoy the moment though, stating: ‘Keep the memories, we’ll handle the mess.’
Ipswich fans have praised Kieran McKenna after he was seen helping pick up litter following their promotion celebrations over the weekend
Ipswich sealed promotion to the Premier League after sealing a 2-0 victory vs Huddersfield
McKenna was hailed for helping with the clean up, with on fan calling him a ‘legend’
Following the celebrations, McKenna has now been hailed for also helping with the clean up operations. One Ipswich fan posted a selfie with the Northern Irish mananger on social media during the clean up, praising the 37-year-old for turning out to help the volunteers.
‘Amazing that super Kieran McKenna came and gave us a hand tidying up after the weekend!’ the supporter wrote adding a ‘winking face emoji’.
‘He is truly a legend,’ the fan added.
Another supporter wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Now that’s a manager a team. Should be proud off!
‘Too many football managers just care about figures and fame.
‘Ours ain’t even from Ipswich but he’s out looking after the town who’s football club he manages. Serious respect for Kieran Mckenna!’
Celebrations started around the town after Ipswich claimed victory against Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon. Fans invaded the pitch before leaving the stadium to congregate on the streets of Ipswich.
Footage showed fans setting off flares and waving flags as jubilant supporters made their way towards the town.
McKenna, who joined the club in 2021, has rececived the plaudits of many, guiding the side to back-to-back promotions after they came second in League One last season.
Thousands of fans turned out aroudn the city to celebrate as the team passed by on an open top bus parade
Supporters praised Mckenna for helping with the clean up but also gaining promotion
Some of Ipswich’s players mocked Leeds United, signing: ‘Leeds are falling apart again’
McKenna was seen mixing and celebrating with his team as they raised their hands in celebration towards supporters as the bus drove through the town.
McKenna, speaking while on the bus, said to Sky Sports News: ‘It’s incredible. It’s more than anyone could have imagined and it’s an incredible turn out. It’s amazing seeing so much joy.’
‘I think the whole town deserves it,’ he added. ‘The players deserve it for how they’ve worked last year. We came up last year, and these supporters definitely deserve it.
‘So many of them have followed t he club for so many years and have been waiting for a glorious day like this and they certainly deserve to enjoy it.’
Boozed up Ipswich players also blasted a Sky Sports presenter during the bus parade, while they also mocked Leeds United, singing ‘Leeds are falling apart again.’
Defender Luke Woolfenden hit out at Sky Sport’s Don Goodman after he had criticised Ipswich this season.
On board, there were loud chants mocking rivals Leeds, who have to resort to the playoffs
Boss Kieran McKenna admitted he is relishing the chance to pit his side against the best
‘I’ll have to sit for six weeks now, and listen to Don Goodman tell us we’re not good enough for the Prem like we did in the Champ,’ he said during the parade.
Ipswich finished the season six points ahead of Leeds, who ceded the second promotion spot to the Tractor Boys after suffering defeats to Southampton and QPR in their final two games of the season.
They’ll advance to take on Ipswich’s bitter rivals Norwich in the play-off semi-final next week.
Meanwhile, celebrations stretched to as far as Miami, with Ed Sheeran spotted celebrating his club’s promotion while in Florida.
Taking to Instagram, the 33-year-old, a known Ipswich fan, captioned a video of him throwing his arms in the air, writing: ‘Back to back promotions for Ipswich. Very emotional. It wasn’t that long ago I was sat at Portman Road watching them lose in League One with 11k people watching.