“Genuinely gutted”- Ipswich Town faithful all say same thing following Conor Chaplin’s Portsmouth return on deadline day

“Genuinely gutted”- Ipswich Town faithful all say same thing following Conor Chaplin’s Portsmouth return on deadline day

While Conor Chaplin’s Pompey loan move has gone down well with fans at Fratton Park – the same cannot be said for those at Portman Road

Ipswich Town fans on social media have been reacting to Conor Chaplin’s transfer deadline day loan move to Pompey – and it’s fair to say they’re far from impressed.

While the sight of the 28-year-old back in a Blues shirt for the first time in five-and-a-half years has left the Fratton faithful in a state of elation, that contrasts sharply to the mood in and around Portman Road following Monday’s dramatic turn of events.

To say the Tractor Boys are disappointed with their club’s decision to let him leave is an understatement.

Chaplin was considered a proper hero in Sufflok, after Paul Cook lured him to the club from Barnsley in the summer of 2021.

Part of the Ipswich side that won back-to-back promotions to the Premier League from League One, the forward amassed 176 appearances for the club, scored 55 goals, registered 17 assists and was named Town’s player of the year in 2022-23.

But it wasn’t just his performances on the pitch and his commitment to the Ipswich cause that made Chaplin an instant fan favourite. His affable character also made him a huge hit with supporters and put him on a higher plane than others who have passed through Portman Road in recent years.

With Chaplin starting Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Derby, it appears his departure on loan caught many associated with the Tractor Boys by surprise.

And that state of shock remains as Ipswich fans continue to take stock of one of their favourite adopted sons leaving for pastures new.

Here’s a selection of the views shared on Ipswich Town’s official Facebook page following the announcement of Chaplin’s return to Fratton Park.