FOR Conor Chaplin the mission is clear — delight his family, impress Ed Sheeran and ruin his best friend’s day.
And if Sheeran’s favourite player can score his first Premier League goal in the process, then all the better!
They all head to Brighton on Saturday as Ipswich look to claim a first Premier League victory since April 2002.
Celebrity Tractor Boy Sheeran — shareholder and shirt sponsor — will be in the stands, as will the Chaplin clan, who hail from a few miles down the south coast.
But aiming to foil his plan is Seagulls defender Adam Webster, his pal from when the pair were starting out as young hopefuls.
Sounds like a plot from a soap opera?
Maybe, but that is how life is at Ipswich these days after they rocketed from League One to the top flight in just two seasons under manager Kieran McKenna.
McKenna picked Chaplin, 27, for the season opener at home to Liverpool but the former Barnsley man had to be content with roles off the bench in the two Prem games since.
Asked about being Sheeran’s favourite, Chaplin said: “When I was shown the video of him saying it I was buzzing.
“I’m not just saying it because he said that but he has been my favourite musician since I was a teen when he first brought out +.
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“He’s been brilliant. He’s an incredible guy and great person to spend time with as well.”
Sheeran helped the squad celebrate promotion and Chaplin sang along to The A Team with the pop star.
He said: “For a lot of the lads it was one of the best nights that we’ve all had. For new lads signing it is special — he’s a superstar.
“But he’s a genuine supporter, he’s coming to the game at the weekend.”
Chaplin hails from Worthing, a few miles from Brighton.
But it was a south coast rival that signed him as a youngster.
He said: “Portsmouth were the first ones to find me and I was there from a young age.
“It’s a fairly local game for me so I will have a lot of family there. It’s one I am excited about — and it would be lovely to get my first Prem goal.”
Centre-back Webster, 29, will have other ideas. The pair have been pals since their Portsmouth days as kids.
Chaplin said: “I speak to him every day — he’s my best mate. But we haven’t spoken much about the game.
“We both know that neither of us will give away the team, team, so there’s no point asking.”
