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Sheeran collaborates on Ipswich Town poster project

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
BBC/ Getty Images Montage: Left - a close up of Ed Sheeran's art work with the words 'Follow the town up or down' over a paint splashed background, Right - a close up of Ed Sheeran with wind-swept, light ginger hair, wearing a black coatBBC/ Getty Images

Ed Sheeran has teamed up with an artistic project to create a gig-style poster for Ipswich Town's final game in the Premier League.

Call Me Ted was launched in 2024 to create a range of posters for each game at Portman Road this season.

They have since featured both inside and on the front page of the club's match day programme, with founder Steve Haugh saying the project "snowballed".

Sheeran, a lifelong Tractor Boy, designed the final poster for Ipswich's match against West Ham after falling in love with the artwork.

A work of art by Ed Sheeran showing paint splashes in lots of colours with football logos on it.
The 19th poster for Ipswich Town v West Ham United was created by Ed Sheeran

The singer said he had even framed some of the posters in his studio.

"It's a painting I painted in Suffolk," he said of his design, due to feature on 25 May.

"It made me happy and I'm chuffed it's getting used on something else that makes me feel happy."

Three of the posters framed and on display in front of a long glass window. All of them have special art designs, all featuring something to do with Ipswich Town Football Club, including players, crests and the Portman Road stadium.
The posters have become collectable items for many fans, featuring as a pull-out in the club's programmes

Nineteen artists have produced the unique posters since Call Me Ted started in August, following Town's promotion to the Premier League.

The collectable artwork has been placed in numerous shops, cafes and pubs to celebrate the football club's success.

Sheeran's piece featured the lyrics "Follow the Town, up or down", taken from a fan-favourite chant, and placed over one of his original paintings.

"I like feeling part of something, part of the community, and having a shared love of the club with people that are my neighbours and mates," he added.

Call Me Ted Simon Farr, lying down on a bench, with his foot up, wearing checked trousers and a green coat, between two Ipswich Town posters Call Me Ted
Posters were put in empty shops around Ipswich, that cartoonist, illustrator and painter Simon Farr, was only too happy to pose in front of

Mr Haugh founded the project alongside his brother, Richard, and friends Andy Mortimer and Kevin Bennett.

He said it was a "leap of faith", with the team unsure if 19 artists would want to work with them.

However, he said it took off after the first few posters were made and artists from across the world had taken part.

"As the project expanded, we've gone further and further afield," Mr Haugh explained.

"We've had an Ipswich Town-supporting artist based on the other side of the world in Melbourne; we've had artists that are working in London for huge clients, and what it's done is create this brilliant diversity of designs."

A group of people standing in a room that is full of Ipswich Town posters, in frames around the room.
Nineteen posters, made by 19 artists have gone on display

All of the posters are being exhibited at Unit 1 in Buttermarket over the next week.

Richard Haugh added: "To have Ed provide the artwork for our final poster is the icing on the cake.

"Despite him being a superstar with millions of fans around the world, he's managed to stay connected to his roots, and it's impressive that he continues to support creativity at a grassroots level."

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