By Paul Jones
Wales striker Nathan Broadhead plans to keep on scoring for club and country after being lifted by the presence of Ed Sheeran in the Ipswich dressing room.
Ipswich fan Sheeran served pints to supporters at the recent Sky Bet Championship game with Hull at Portman Road before going into the home dressing room to celebrate the high-flying Tractor Boys’ 3-0 victory.
The Ipswich players marked the occasion by singing Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’ hit, with the video of them and the acclaimed musician going viral on social media.
“I was surprised when he walked in, but it showed the togetherness of the club and the community spirit at Ipswich,” Broadhead said.
“It’s the first time he has come into the changing room, but the lads were happy to see him. He can come whenever he wants.
“I didn’t know the words (to ‘Perfect’) and I told one of the lads to put his song on.
“But hopefully we can keep on winning and scoring goals. I’m enjoying my football at the moment, and hopefully I can score many more goals.”
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Asked if he would repay Sheeran’s visit by trying to see him on his forthcoming tour, Broadhead said: “I hope so. Hopefully we can get some discounts on the tickets.
“We’ll have to send him a message to sort it out.”
Broadhead has been a key player for newly-promoted Ipswich as Kieran McKenna’s team have surged up to second place in the Championship.
The 25-year-old former Everton forward is joint top scorer with five goals and believes that former goalkeeper Lee Grant coaching the club’s strikers has proved a masterstroke from McKenna.
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Broadhead said: “When I first went there, Kieran told me that Lee was the striker coach and I was like, ‘Oh right!’
“Then I saw the way he works and it was amazing. Goalkeepers know where they don’t want the ball to go. Top corners, hitting my shots early.
“We work every day on practising snapshots in the box and he encourages that because the keeper isn’t set.
“That’s where we get most of our goals. Last season, many teams against us played five at the back so you need those sharp shots or to shoot through people’s legs to get shots on target.
“I saw the plan here, the manager and the way he plays. We are blossoming because everyone has played together for so long.
“Hopefully we can continue that, because the aim for everyone in the Championship is promotion.”
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Broadhead has scored in his last two Ipswich games, and on Wednesday night claimed a superb second goal for Wales in their 4-0 friendly victory over Gibraltar at Wrexham.
he first in March however was far more important, a 93rd-minute equaliser securing a 1-1 draw away to World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Seven months on, Wales must get something from Sunday’s return game in Cardiff to keep hopes of automatic qualification alive for next summer’s finals in Germany.
“The feeling after the game was amazing,” said Broadhead. “That’s the moment of my career that stands out.
“We need a result and that’s the aim. We need to put our heads down, work hard and graft. It will be a tough game but we hope for the best.”
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