As TWTD readers may remember, Steve Kirby raised money to allow his best buddy Gary to cross seeing a Portman Road match from an executive area off his bucket list.
Over £3,000 was raised, and Gary attended the FA Cup match between Maidstone and the Blues from the Sir Bobby Robson Suite. He also met several current players and Blues icon John Wark. Regretfully, that turned out to be Gary’s final Town game.
On April 5, Gary, 52, passed away. Blues fans honored him with a minute of applause during the team’s match against Middlesbrough.
Like Gary, who has been a Town fan for almost 40 years, Nina was nominated by the team to receive the reward from Sky Bet through their For The Fans initiative because of her unique bond with the Blues.
“Supporting Ipswich means companionship and friendship,” Nina remarked. Right now, it’s very essential to me. I’ve had a challenging year. Gary passed away tragically on April 5th due to a brain tumor.
Gary ate, slept, and lived in Ipswich. It’s always involved a wide range of feelings. We’ve had our ups and downs, and I’ve tossed the cushion at the television. Name it, and we’ve completed it.
“Look at us now—we’re back in our rightful place. It’s incredible that there are, on average, 29,000 supporters at every game. I’m appreciative and in awe. Gary would be ecstatic.
“Our For The Fans campaign is all about rewarding the best of what UK football fan culture has to offer, and Nina is a shining example of this,” said Daniel Sales, a spokesman for Sky Bet.
“What makes football so great is her relationship with Ipswich Town and the wider fan community.” We’re happy to acknowledge this and pay for her season pass for 2024–2025.
Executive for supporter engagement at Town, Seb Norton, continued, saying: “Nina Battle is an Ipswich Town supporter at heart and is very worthy of this gift.
Nina is the best person to exemplify our link with our supporters, something we are really proud of. We were not hesitant to suggest her for the unique Sky Bet present, even though she has been going through a difficult period emotionally.