BLUES fans are scattered all over the globe but John Carlos probably wins the title as the longest distance season ticket holder as he lives 1,600 miles away in Greece.

By Derek Davis

BLUES fans are scattered all over the globe but John Carlos probably wins the title as the longest distance season ticket holder as he lives 1,600 miles away in Greece.

Carlos has renewed for the sixth year running, even though he manages to get across for barely half-a-dozen matches a season.

The 35-year-old Greek runs his family-owned Hotel Ionikos in Kefalos on the Aegean island of Kos but is also a sports writer covering European football.

He tries to get to Portman Road every time he is in the UK on business or visiting friends.

His love affair with Ipswich began as a schoolboy in March 1980, even though bigger names were more popular.

He said: “When I was at high school we loved watching English football on television and all my friends were Liverpool or Manchester United supporters even though Ipswich were also a big team then.

“The game that made me become an Ipswich fan was when they beat Manchester United 6-0 in 1980. Liverpool and Manchester United were more famous but Ipswich were third then and doing very well and after that I decided I would support them.

“I have been to watch Ipswich many times and I have met John Wark, who I consider a friend.”

Although he only watches between six to eight games a season at Portman Road, Carlos decided to invest in a season ticket when Town were in the Premiership after struggling to get a ticket.

Carlos said: “Whenever I came over it was hard to get a ticket for matches and sometimes when I did they were not good ones. So I decided the next summer to buy a season ticket so I would be guaranteed a good seat.

“I know things have not gone their way but I have kept renewing because I want to have a good seat again when they get back into the Premiership.”

This will be the sixth successive season that Carlos has renewed and he remains hopeful that he will again watch Ipswich in the Premiership.

He said: “I have renewed again because I think Mr Magilton will do a good job next season.

“He is an inexperienced manager but we will see what he can do, although he needs money.

“Ipswich have a good academy but they will always need to sell players to survive and, unless they get a big investment, that will carry on. The club need the money, they need a big investment like we have seen at other clubs. Look at Sunderland and Derby. They were struggling but get a big cash injection and now they are flying high at the top.”

Carlos is such a big Town fan that he has even offered discounted prices to Blues fans who want to stay in his hotel.

You can get more details at www.ionikoshotel.gr