Staff at an Ipswich coffee company said they were delighted to receive a very special gift from Ed Sheeran.

Combat2Coffee, an Ipswich-based organisation which helps veterans across Suffolk and the UK to return to civilian life, attended the Ipswich Town Football Club media day on Thursday, August 8.

The new official coffee provider of the club served a range of hot and cold drinks to players, staff and members at Playford Road car park.

Nigel Seaman, founder of Combat2CoffeeEd Sheeran and Nigel Seaman, founder of Combat2Coffee (Image: Combat2Coffee)
Among the guests served was Ed Sheeran, who played football with the team, spoke to the staff about their work and gave the company founder a signed Umbro football boot.

Founder of Combat2Coffee, Nigel Seaman, said: “It was a real privilege to speak to Ed about our story and mission to change lives, one sip at a time.

He was incredibly friendly – and very complimentary of our flapjacks!He was incredibly friendly – and very complimentary of our flapjacks said Mr Seaman. (Image: Combat2Coffee)
“He was incredibly friendly – and very complimentary of our flapjacks.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was gifted a signed football boot from him, after he’d finished having a kickabout with the players.

The signed football boot Ed Sheeran gave to Nigel SeamanThe signed football boot Ed Sheeran gave to Nigel Seaman (Image: Combat2Coffee)

“As a proud Tractor Boy and big fan of his music, this was a really special day all-round. Cuppa Towen!”

Combat2Coffee aims to improve the mental health and well-being outcomes of veterans and military families across Suffolk and the UK by serving delicious fairtrade, sustainable coffee.

Mr Seaman, who is a former Royal Anglian infantryman and prison officer, is the founder of Combat2Coffee, based in Northgate Street in Ipswich.

Ed Sheeran with the staff at Combat2CoffeeEd Sheeran with the staff at Combat2Coffee (Image: Combat2Coffee)

He created the social enterprise in 2018 and in the years since has visited Downing Street and been recognised by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

He has also been given a £14k grant for a new coffee van and had the company named as the official provider of Ipswich Town Football Club coffee. 

The staff at Combat2Coffee said: "It was great to chat with Ed about our mission and to thank him for his work in flying the flag for Suffolk around the world."