Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town FC is a professional football club from the Suffolk town of the same name that was founded as amateur club Ipswich AFC in 1888, prior to merging with Ipswich Rugby Club to become Ipswich Town ten years later.

The club started out life playing their matches at Broomhill and Brook's Hall before moving in at Portman Road in 1884. Town joined the Norfolk & Suffolk League in 1899 South East Anglian League between 1903 and 1906.

Ipswich then competed in the Southern Amateur League where the team were crowned champions in 1921-22, 1929-30, 1932-33 and 1933-34 before becoming founder members of the Eastern Counties League in 1935.

A year later Town progressed to the Southern League, where they were crowned champions at the first attempt in 1936-37 under the first manager, Mick O'Brien. In 1938 the club were elected to the Football League where they were placed in Division Three South with Scott Duncan managing the team.

Town won the Division Three South title to gain promotion in 1953-54 before returning just twelve months later despite the continued scoring of Tom Garneys. Former Tottenham Hotspur full back Alf Ramsey was appointed manager in August 1955, taking Ipswich to their third level title again in 1955-56.

 

John Cobbold, of a local brewing family, took over as Chairman, while the forward partnership of Ted Phillips and Ray Crawford would flourish leading to Town lifting the Division Two championship in 1960-61. Remarkably Ipswich were crowned as First Division champions in 1961-62.

Other players to play significant roles in their triumph included Roy Bailey, Billy Baxter, Larry Carberry, John Compton, Andy Nelson, John Elsworthy, Jimmy Leadbetter, Roy Stephenson and Doug Moran.

The 1962-63 campaign saw Town slip down the table before Ramsey departed to become the England manager. Jackie Milburn came in as the new boss, but his spell abruptly after just one season ended as the team were relegated despite the goals of Gerry Baker.

Bill McGarry came in to make changes to the squad and take the team back up to the top flight as champions in 1967-68. He later left to take the job at Wolverhampton Wanderers a few months later, with Bobby Robson coming in as his replacement.

After a rocky start Robson built a fine team with the scouting system sourcing excellent young players including Colin Viljoen, Mick Mills and Trevor Whymark. The side lifted the Texaco Cup in a two legged final against traditional rivals Norwich City in 1972-73.

A fourth place league finish was rewarded with a place in the UEFA Cup as the goals of Bryan Hamilton helped them reach the quarter finals before going out to Lokomotive Leipzig. Town reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1974-75, losing to West Ham United, while in the league Town ended fourth and then third in 1976-77 as they played attractive football. 

Stars of the side included Kevin Beattie, Paul Mariner, Allan Hunter, Paul Cooper while youngsters such as Terry Butcher, John Wark, Russell Osman, Eric Gates, Clive Woods and Alan Brazil broke through to impose their skills.

The 1977-78 season saw the team finish low in the league but go on a fantastic FA Cup run, defeating West Bromwich Albion in the Highbury semi-final before beating Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley in the final with a late goal from Roger Osbourne.

Players continued to come through the system with Robson adding real quality in Dutch midfielders Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen. Continued European runs helped to build experience throughout the squad including epic ties with FC Barcelona, leading to glory in the UEFA Cup of 1978-79.

Aris Salonika, Bohemians, Widzew Lodz, Saint Etienne and 1. FC Koln were defeated to set up a two legged final against AZ 67 Alkmaar of Holland. A 3-0 win at Portman Road meant that the 4-2 defeat in the second leg was more than enough for skipper Mick Mills to lift the trophy.

In 1980 with Town at the peak of their powers they demolished Manchester United 6-0, with United keeper Garry Bailey saving three penalties to limit the damage. Highlights of the remarkable game can be seen here.

Town went on to finish as league runners-up in 1980-81, when they came agonisingly close behind Aston Villa as well as going out in the FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City, and again in 1981-82 when Ipswich went out in the semi-final of the League Cup to league champions Liverpool.

 

Robson's quality prompted him to be appointed as the new England boss in August 1982, with his assistant Bobby Ferguson taking over. Quality players were sold on or were coming to the end of their careers, which led to relegation in 1985-86.

In May 1987 John Duncan replaced Ferguson and remained in charge for three years until John Lyall took over the hot seat. In 1991-92 Lyall took the side to the Division Two title and a place as founder members of the Premier League as Chris Kiwomya topped the scoring.

After a couple of low finishes and then a poor start to the 1994-95 season Lyall departed, with former playing hero George Burley taking over. The campaign ended in relegation, but Burley's side quickly recovered. 

In 1996-97 Sheffield United ended hopes of promotion in the semi-final of the play-offs before Charlton Athletic proved too strong at the same stage in 1997-98. In 1998-99 it was the turn of Bolton Wanderers to end the dream of a Premier League return.

Revenge was gained in 1999-00 against Bolton Wanderers before Barnsley were defeated 4-2 in the Wembley final thanks to goals from Tony Mowbray, Richard Naylor, Marcus Stewart and Martijn Reuser for the side skippered by Matt Holland.

Town played some scintillating football on their return to the top flight as they finished in fifth place. However, it became apparent that the club had spent money it couldn't afford on players such as Matteo Sereni, Pablo Couñago, Sixto Peralta and Finidi George.

At the end of the 2001-02 season the team was relegated despite reaching the third round of the UEFA Cup as the club entering Administration. Burley was sacked in October 2002 to be replaced by Joe Royle who soon became a popular figure at the club.

He turned around the playing fortunes and his first full season led the Blues to the play-offs in 2003-04, where they were defeated by West Ham United in the semi-finals. The same fate befell Town in the following 2004-05 season, losing at the same stage to the same opponents.

Royle departed by mutual consent in May 2006 after doing a fine job, with Jim Magilton coming in as the new manager. In December 2007 Marcus Evans completed a deal to buy the club, paying off the debt and investing a large sum for the playing squad after the departure of David Sheepshanks.

Jonathan Walters put away the goals before Magilton was sacked in April 2009 to be replaced by Roy Keane, who lasted eighteen months but never really became a fan’s or indeed players favourite. Paul Jewel was next in line to try and revive Town’s fortunes.

Jewell's reign lasted until October 2012 before Mick McCarthy came in and gradually rebuilt the side. The former Irish boss became very popular alongside assistant Terry Connor as he built a solid line up. The goals of Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick offered hope to the Portman Road faithful.

Town went on a fantastic run in the first half of the 2014-15 season, leading the table on occasions. They ended the season in the play-off zone but lost out at the semi-final stage to Norwich City. A seventh place in 2015-16 backed up their form.

However, Ipswich finished lowly in 2016-17 as McCarthy continued on a tight budget before the goals of Martyn Waghorn offered stabilisation in 2017-18. However, Town supporters had fallen out of love with the manager, leading to his departure before the seasons end.

Paul Hurst arrived as the new team boss from Grimsby Town, but the move backfired as he was replaced by Paul Lambert within a few months. The form of Freddie Sears was a rare highlight as Town were relegated at the completion of the 2018-19 campaign.

Ipswich were placed in eleventh in 2019-20 when the season ended early owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. The poor form continued with Lambert being dismissed in February 2021 with supporters angry with owner Evans who said he was attempting to sell the club.

Ipswich were placed in eleventh in 2019-20 when the season ended early owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. The poor form continued with Lambert being dismissed in February 2021 with supporters angry with owner Evans who said he was attempting to sell the club.

Paul Cook was appointed as the new Town manager, lasting until December 2021 when Kieran McKenna was given his first managerial job after US investment group Gamechanger 20 Limited had purchased the club a few months previously.

The goals of Conor Chaplin and Freddie Ladapo fired Ipswich to promotion in 2022-23 back to the Championship, where McKenna’s young side went on to go up once again twelve months later in an incredible team effort.

Ipswich Town FC will play in the Premier League in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Ipswich Town 0 Leicester City 0 (Saturday 15th August 2009) The Championship (att: 22,454)

On night shift I wanted to go to a game near to London at a new ground. Ipswich looked a good choice, especially as it looked to be a special occasion in tribute to the recently passed Sir Bobby Robson. I rang up the club on the previous Thursday and booked my ticket, also buying some train tickets on line. 

I set off from the Miss World contest that was Liverpool Street station and arrived at 1.30. Portman Road was just a five minute walk from the station and I was soon looking at the many tributes to Sir Bobby by his statue. 

It was apparent that Ipswich loved their heroes and I was soon stood by the statue to Sir Alf Ramsey. I picked up my ticket and a helpful steward pointed me in the direction of a nearby pub.

The doormen of the Drum and Monkey let me in after seeing my Scarborough Athletic badge. I find it easier to gain access to home fans pubs if I have proof that I am a true neutral. It was a nice atmosphere inside where many of the staff seemed to know their customers. 

They were all filled with pride after acquiring a specially commissioned large painting of the stadium, which now hung on the back wall I watched the second half of the Chelsea v Hull City game before heading across the car park to find my seat. I was in the South Stand near to where the players came out.

That was to my left in the corner. Players came out under a mock clubhouse construction that has offices and the safety officers control room. The South and North Stands were basically identical constructions behind both goals containing two tiers of seats with the upper level overhanging. 

They had spaces from the byline to the seats as with the old constructions. To the right was the Cobbold Stand which was the first construction built during Sir Bobby's reign. It must have been the height of modernism at the time but it is now showing its age. It is two tiered with some awkwardly added executive boxes dividing them. The bottom paddock was originally terraced as were the areas behind the goals until the early 90's. 

The final side was taken up by the West Stand which had an extra tier added to it in the 80's as well as some executive boxes. It is a very tidy ground which feels like a ground should. It was noticeable however, just how little leg room there was compared to the newer stadiums I'd been to of late.

Before the teams came out they played Sir Bobby's favourite tune, My Way by Frank Sinatra over the PA. Everyone in the ground burst into a spontaneous round of applause as it ended. This was the first home league game since the great man passed away and it was a very emotional occasion. 

They club handed out free A4 forty paged tribute magazines which was a lovely touch, like so many little things at this community based club. A one minute round of applause then followed with the teams standing heads bowed in around the centre circle.

As it turned out it was just as well there was sustained applause before the game as there was precious little to receive an ovation once the game kicked off. Both teams huffed and puffed in the warm conditions with the away team having the better of the few chances created.

The area I was in was fairly quiet and family based. The stewards were helpful and friendly without being over the top but the attitude of a few City fans was too much for them and they missed the last half hour.

I left a couple of minutes from the end. I was allowed into the bottom of the West Stand to take a photo across to the area I was in, before I set off to the station. I caught my 17.08 train in plenty of time and was soon back on the packed tubes heading to the U2 concert at Wembley before taking a quick nap before night shift.

I enjoyed my day out. The locals all just got on with things their way. There was no OTT stewarding or plastic gimmicks found at "bigger" clubs. The whole place had a real community feel about it. All in all a pleasant experience at a place I’d feel comfortable taking any of my family, even if it was lacking the real cutting edge atmosphere of some venues.

Ipswich Town 3 Charlton Athletic 0 (Tuesday 30th December 2014) The Championship (att: 26,147)

For several months I had promised pals I’d get to a game at their favourite clubs once I’d completed ‘doing the 92’. With that feat completed in April 2014 I stuck to my word.

After finishing night shifts it was time for a ride to Suffolk with my Ipswich Town supporting mate Harry Panter. We had aborted plans earlier in the season for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers as Harry suffered a terrible Achilles injury in late October.

He was still on crutches as I called round for him on a cool but bright afternoon. We caught the 4pm train out of Liverpool Street, being joined by Harry’s business partner Mick at Colchester. After plenty of chat we were soon at our destination and past Portman Road inside the K Bar for several pre match libations.

The general feeling was that of enjoyment that after a decade of disappointment their side were surpassing expectations thus far. However, they were certainly not getting too carried away. Some were fully expecting a poor game or defeat as the ticket sales had gone up by nearly ten thousand for the match.

My friend had sorted my ticket in the lower tier of the North Stand; the traditional home fans vocal area. We had a great view as I was introduced to many welcoming Town fans, including a fellow behind me who once provided pies at the ground and spent a decade in Bridlington from the mid-70s.

Talking of pies, the chicken balti offering was not bad at all and just the ticket for my hunger and to keep out any chill.

Town were in great form under manager Mick McCarthy who was a very popular figure. Indeed, one banner read “McCarthy – The Greatest Living Yorkshireman”. What Geoff Boycott would have thought would have been interesting!

A tight game was expected as Ipswich had won the reverse fixture with a stoppage time winner at The Valley a few weeks previously. That is exactly how it panned out. The visiting Addicks, cheered on by a following of 1,023, played some excellent stuff in the first half. The fair minded and knowledgeable fans acknowledged this, so they were most happy when Tommy Smith put their side ahead with just over thirty minutes on the clock.

At half time one of the gang somehow got served with beers under the packed stand. Six minutes after our return it was 2-0 as Daryl Murphy finished off a David McGoldrick effort that had hit the bar.

The goal more or less settled the affair, although Charlton still gave it a good go. They were an impressive outfit, albeit one lacking a real cutting edge up front.

In the first minute of stoppage time, the tireless McGoldrick deservedly netted to wrap up a 3-0 victory. At full time the home side got a deserved ovation as skipper Luke Chambers carried out his customary fist pumping.

We had time for a swift drink in the Drum and Monkey before heading to the train. Harry performed admirably on his crutches all evening. He must have been glad of the rest on the train home. A steward in the ground had questioned him at half time over reports that a fan was seen raising sticks in the air as Ipswich went ahead. Harry “knew nothing!”

The journey back on the train was spent with three members of the London branch of the Town Supporters Club. Many a laugh was shared before we got back and I headed home; once again falling asleep and missing my stop on the tube!

It had been an excellent evening out, in quality company.