Fan offers cheeky 'bribe' to loanee winger's agent

Jeremy Sarmiento (with arms folded) has enjoyed a successful loan spell at Ipswich Town from Brighton and Hove Albion

An Ipswich Town fan said he jokingly offered a £20 "bribe" to an agent in a bid to get a loanee star player to return to Portman Road next season.

Winger Jeremy Sarmiento, who has been on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, played a key role in Town's promotion to the Premier League.

Jamie Corston, 26, sat next to Sarmiento's father and behind his agent during Saturday's promotion clincher against Huddersfield Town.

He said in offering the "bribe" - which was declined - he "did what any Town fan would do".

'I did the noble thing'

Sarmiento was signed by Kieran McKenna in January's transfer window and became a fans' favourite, scoring some crucial goals in Town's promotion-winning run-in - including a winner in the dying seconds against Southampton.

Mr Corston said he was chatting to the Ecuador international's father.

"We got on to talking about whether he [Sarmiento] likes Ipswich or not, and he really loves the club and the town," Mr Corston told the BBC's Tractor Social Podcast.

"I did the noble thing - as any Ipswich Town fan would do - and I got £20 out of my pocket and offered it to his agent."

Despite Mr Corston's best efforts, the agent did not accept the "bribe", he said.

"There's a hope he'll come back, but I feel like I did my part," he added.

Jamie Corston has had an Ipswich season ticket since he was four years old

Mr Corston, who has held a season ticket since the age of four, said the current crop of Town players was the "greatest" he had ever seen.

He admitted feeling envious of his two-year-old daughter Annie, who has already seen two promotions.

"I got on the pitch, got myself a handful of turf, ready to put in resin for Annie," he said.

"I was about Annie's age during the last promotion and it was all downhill after that - but I've not seen anything great like this."

Sarmiento said winning promotion to the Premier League was an "amazing feeling"

After Town clinched promotion, Sarmiento, 21, said: "It is an amazing feeling and one of the highlights of my career.

"Ipswich - from the first day I came here - has been like a family; the fans have shown me so much love.

"I'm always going to give 100% for this club. This is what football is about, moments like these that you'll remember for the rest of your life."

Brighton and Hove Albion has been contacted for comment.