Ipswich Town were formed in 1878 by the Cobbold family, local brewers. The Cobbold family kept their connections with beer going through various twists and turns, latterly as Tolly Cobbold, until the last brewery was bought up and closed down in 2002 by Ridley's. The family connection with the club still remains.

The club's early years were spent in local football, with the Suffolk Challenge Cup the first silverware in 1886-87. For the 1888-89 campaign they left their first home at Brook’s Hall and moved to their current location at Portman Road. The following season the game in Suffolk was strong enough to be reorganised into Senior and Junior football, and Ipswich Town won the first Suffolk Senior Cup.

In 1890-91 Ipswich entered the F.A. Cup for the first time, and made it through three Qualifying rounds before falling at the Fourth to the 93rd Highland Regiment.

In 1894-95 Ipswich declined the invitation to become founder members of the Southern League, preferring to continue as amateurs playing a mixture of cup games and friendlies. It wasn't until 1899-00 that they entered their first league competition, the Norfolk & Suffolk League. By 1903-04 they were playing in the South-East Anglian League as well as the Norfolk & Suffolk League, taking the title in the former. By 1907-08 various rows and football politics had seen them resign from both these leagues and they were founder members of the Southern Amateur League. It was not a initially a success, either on the pitch for Ipswich or off the pitch generally. One league game in 1909-10 attracted twelve spectators. Their best achievement during this era was reaching the Semi-Final of the Amateur F.A. Cup in 1913.

After a six year break occasioned by the First World War football returned to Portman Road in 1920. Town remained amateur and finally won the Southern Amateur League in 1921-22. The next high point was reaching the Final of the 1927-28 Amateur F.A. Cup, but they were defeated by Bank of England. Two seasons later they won the Southern Amateur League for the second time. The title was again captured in 1932-33 and 1933-34.

The pressure to move forward and turn professional had been growing for some years, and eventually the threat of a breakaway group forming an alternative club in Ipswich forced the decision. On May 1st 1936 it was agreed to apply to join the (semi-) professional Southern League. The histories of Ipswich Town and Yeovil (& Petters United) would come together - briefly. In their inaugural season Ipswich were Champions. The Glovers finished sixth that campaign. One more season and The Blues were gone. They had failed in their first bid to get elected to the Football League in their title season, but succeeded on their second attempt, replacing Gillingham in the Third Division South.

After the Second World War they needed re-election to retain their place in 1949-50, but in 1953-54 they were Champions and promoted to Division Two. However they were immediately relegated the next campaign. As a result a new manager was brought in, Alf Ramsey. He took them to third in his first season and the title in his second. Three mid-table seasons in Division Two followed before Ipswich were ready to move on again, winning the title in 1960-61 and reaching the First Division. Having taken 83 years to get there they won it at their first attempt.

Such dramatic success had a price, and they lost Alf Ramsey to the England job - for which the English part at least of the nation will remain forever grateful. Sir Alf has a statue outside Portman Road. After a poor season in 1962-63 they were relegated in last place the next year.

In 1967-68 Bill McGarry took them back into the elite as Second Division Champions, pipping Queens Park Rangers, where Alec Stock was General Manager, for the title by a single point. QPR sacked Stock and went down, Ipswich lost McGarry to Wolverhampton Wanderers, appointed Bobby Robson, and stayed up. Robson would keep them in the First Division throughout his tenure. These were great days, with three third places and two runners-up spots, though they never quite clinched the title. However they did win the Texaco Cup in 1973, the F.A. Cup in 1978, defeating Arsenal 1-0, and the UEFA Cup in 1981. Sir Bobby left in 1982 to take the England job. The second statue outside Portman Road is his.

After thirteen years in charge Robson was a hard act to follow, and Ipswich slipped from a club consistently challenging near the top into mid-table, and then out of the First Division altogether by 1986. It took them six seasons to get back, John Lyall taking them to the Division Two title in 1991-92. They thus became founder members of the Premier League.

Two seasons of struggle finally saw Ipswich relegated at the third time of asking. For the next five seasons they were there or there abouts but couldn't get through the play-offs. In 1999-2000 they managed it, defeating Barnsley 4-2 in the penultimate club game ever staged at the old Wembley. The first season they finished fifth and were back in Europe. The next season they were relegated. Since then they have missed out in the play-offs twice.

In the various manifestations of the League Cup Ipswich Town have been Semi-Finalists twice, 1982 and 1985.

Prediction Corner : The 100% cup record against Ipswich will go and we won't be troubling the draw for the Second Round.

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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name

LGE

FAC

FAT

LGC

CC

Total

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 0, vs ,
Lowest League Attendance: 999999, vs ,
Average League Attendance: Not Applicable

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	0		Games Without Defeat:	0
Games Without A Home Defeat:	0		Games Without An Away Defeat:	0
Games Without A Draw:	0		Games Without A Score Draw:	0
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	0		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:
Away Results Sequence:			Overall Results Sequence:

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Portman Road is in the town, so there are a number of multi-storey town centre car parks within ten minutes walk. As this is an evening match do double check when these close before leaving your car there!

On street parking is extremely scarce close to the stadium. Be prepared for quite a trek if that's the option you choose.

By Rail

There are two stations in Ipswich, Ipswich Station and Derby Road, and one on the northern edge of the town, Westerfield. Ipswich Station is what is needed for the ground. The stadium can be seen from the station and is less than five minutes walk.

Leaving the station via the main entrance, walk directly ahead over the bridge towards the Town Centre. Cross the A137. After Staples, turn left into Portman Road. That's it.

Trains are One Railway out of London Liverpool Street. Three trains an hour throughout the day, with extra services at 'rush hour'. The fastest leave on the hour and take one hour eight minutes. For the slower stopping trains add anything up to sixteen minutes more to that. The last trains back to London are the 22.08 (arriving 23.34) and 22.42 (arriving 00.03). There is of course no possibility of getting back to Yeovil after an evening game, and an overnight stop somewhere will be necessary.

From the Midlands and the North you need to get to Peterborough and change (though it can actually be quicker, if more expensive, to go into London and back out). Direct One Railway trains from Peterborough to Ipswich run once every two hours. Journey time is around one hour forty. On the alternative hour you need to change at Cambridge. Check for individual times as the train departures are not consistently the same past the hour through the day. The last train back to Peterborough is the 20.18, so no use at all.

By Bus

There are three Park and Ride schemes which operate around Ipswich. These are situated at Bury Road (junction with A14 and A1156, phone 01473 462300 for details), Copdock Interchange (junction of A12 and A14, phone 01473 686300 for details) and Martlesham (north of Ipswich, junction of A12 and A1214).

Taxis

A selection of Ipswich taxi companies can be found here.

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Greene King, based in Bury St Edmunds, is the biggest brewer in Suffolk. In recent years it has expanded into a 'super-regional' swallowing up smaller breweries in the process. It now owns over 1,700 pubs and supplies another 3,000 outlets. Its stable of beers includes some classic names such as Abbot, Ruddles, and Old Speckled Hen, but increasingly living on their reputation in this author's opinion. Standards and quality are sadly falling. Their website can be found here.

Adnams is the second largest brewer in the county and can be found by the sea in Southwold. It has 85 pubs and supplies around another 750. In terms of its beer it's doing all the things right that Greene King has been doing wrong. Although production has been expanded quality has not suffered due to volume. And it is still maintaining an interesting range of seasonal ales. Go here if you want to find out more about the brewery and its beers.

There are about another dozen small and micro- breweries in Suffolk. One we would particularly recommend is Nethergate, based at Clare (though moving). Established in 1986 it is an innovative brewery that has set new trends and styles, rather like the Hop Back Brewery, which fans from the West Country may be more familiar with, has. For a brewery this size to have had two Champion Beers of Britain in the last twenty years is mightily impressive. If you see it, try it.

Club Bar :

Dependent upon the number of visiting fans there will be one bar or more open for away supporters which sells alcoholic drinks (before kick-off only). The usual sort of soft drinks, hot drinks, pies and snacks are available inside the stadium. Mobile catering outlets are located in the vicinity of Portman Road outside the stadium.

Local Pubs :

Black Horse Inn: Just a few minutes walk from the ground, but not right on the doorstep so less likely to be completely packed with home fans. Juke box is 60's to 80's rock and heavy metal so attracts the biker types at weekends. Above average range of drinks. Food served. Black Horse Inn, Black Horse Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2EF. Tel: 01473 214741. Map: Click Here.

Dove Street Inn: Sister pub to, and about five minutes further from the stadium than, the Milestone Beer House (below). Bought and refurbished end of 2003 / beginning 2004. Dove Street Inn, 76, St. Helens Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2LA. Tel: 01473 211270. Map: Click Here.

Fat Cat: Only really likely to be of use if you are alighting at Ipswich Derby Road Railway Station for some reason, about ten minutes walk away, as the football ground is two miles from the pub. The tap room serves around twenty different real ales a week by gravity, with up to fifteen on at any one time. The policy is to ensure a number from the locality are always available. Leffe Blond is on draught, along with a range of Belgian bottled beers. Also does traditional cider. Food is restricted to varieties of pasties and quiches - customers are welcome to bring their own food if they wish. Conservatory and terrace where barbecues are held in the summer. Opening is 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. weekdays, 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Saturday and 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Fat Cat, 288, Spring Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 5NL. Tel: 01473 726524. Fax: 01473 424526. Email: landlord@fatcatipswich.co.uk. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Flour & Firkin: Ten to fifteen years ago the '& Firkin' tag was generally a reasonable recommendation. No longer. The undiscerning underage-21 group appears to be their main market. Fairly close by the Milestone Beer House (below), less than ten minutes walk from the stadium. Large town pub, quiet during the day, busy at night. Various keg things, the odd boring mainstream real ale, and lots of weirdly coloured stuff served up in bottles and jugs. They even boast there's plenty of room for dancing. Dancing? In a pub? WHY FFS? On the plus side has big screen TV and Sky digital - presuming those bl**dy dancers don't get in the way. There's also a pool table, juke box, and lots of games machines. Wheelchair friendly and a No Smoking area. Food is served 12.00 noon - 2.00 p.m. and opening is 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Flour & Firkin, 1, Great Coleman Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2AA. Tel: 01473 254935. Fax: 01473 254937. Map: Click Here.

Posh hotel in the town centre. © Hugh Gleave Great White Horse Hotel: Round the next corner from the Flour & Firkin (above) heading towards the stadium. Real ales are Adnams Broadside and Best. Keg is Fosters, Kronenbourg, Carling, Carling Extra Cold, John Smiths, Guinness and Blackthorn Cider. Breakfast available 8.00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m., bar meals from 12.00 noon - 6.00 p.m. Wheelchair access, adapted toilet, No Smoking area, children welcome until 9.00 p.m. Bar opening 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. If you are staying over and your budget stretches it's £40 a night for a single, £50 for a double / twin. Great White Horse Hotel, Tavern Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3AH. Tel: 01473 256558. Fax: 01473 253396. Map: Click Here.

Greyhound: Busy two bar pub just off the town centre and around 20 minutes walk from the ground. Varied home cooked menu on the chalkboard served lunchtimes and evenings. Beers are from the Adnams brewery, plus guests. Terrace at the back and some parking. One review says children are welcome, another that there's a no children policy - so, er that's helpful then! Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 2.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. weekdays and all day (11-11) Saturdays. Greyhound, 9, Henley Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3SE. Tel: 01473 252862. Map: Click Here.

All things to all people type of outlet. © Hugh Gleave Lord Nelson Inn: Down close to the dock/marina, 15 minutes walk east of the stadium and also 15 minutes walk from Ipswich (Main) Railway Station. Adnams pub stocking a wide range of the brewery's beers, regulars and seasonals. Has a pretty extensive menu of bar meals, and also slightly more expensive fare served in a non-smoking restaurant. Food served 11.30 a.m. - 2.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. Patio town garden. Child and wheelchair friendly. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. (Not that it matters as our game is on a weekday, but a Beer Guide claims the pub only opens on Saturday lunchtime if Ipswich are playing at home; the pub's own website doesn't have any mention of this.) Lord Nelson Inn, 81, Fore Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1JZ. Tel: 01473 254072. Fax: 01473 219904. Email: info@ipswichlordnelson.com. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Top quality real ale pub. © Hugh Gleave Milestone Beer House: Opening times: Monday to Thursday 12.00 noon - 2.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m - 11.00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m.; Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Adnams Bitter, Fullers London Pride, Greene King IPA and Morland Old Speckled Hen are the standard real ales, with up to nine or ten additional guests. Two ciders available from Westons and Thatchers. Keg is Tetley Smooth Flow, Guinness, Blackthorn Cider, Stella Artois, Staropramen, Hoegaarden and Carling. Mini-beer festival twice a year. A wide range of snacks and main meals are avaiable 12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 12.00 noon to 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 12.00 noon to 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Saturday, 12.00 noon to 7.00 p.m. Sunday. (Mondays have 'Steak Night' special offers from 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.) Get there early if you want Sticky Toffee Pudding, eh Badger? Live music two or three nights a week. Large screen shows sports. Wheelchair friendly. If you can successfully navigate through the back streets it's less than ten minutes walk to the ground. Milestone Beer House, 5, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2EA. Tel: 01473 252425. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Convenient for the stadium. © Hugh Gleave Plough Inn: Unexceptional town centre pub a third of a mile from the stadium. Standard range of drinks, with some mainstream real ale. Has satellite TV, pool table, beer garden, unspecified facilities for disabled people and a family room / play area. Food served 12.00 noon - 7.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Opening 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 12.00 noon - 12.00 midnight Thursday - Saturday. Closed all day Sunday. Plough Inn, 2, Dogs Head Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AD. Tel: 01473 288005. Map: Click Here.

Punch & Judy: Younger children in tow and time to kill? This is a Two For One pub with Wacky Warehouse attached a few minutes walk from the ground in the Cardinal Entertainment Park. Naturally children are allowed (until 9.30 p.m.) Patio area, wheelchair access, adapted toilet, baby changing facilities, No Smoking area, car parking 60 spaces, disabled car parking 8 spaces. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. with food served 12.00 noon - 10.00 p.m. The Two For One concept is that for each over priced plate of very dull food whichever adult you are with gets the cheaper second plate of very dull food free. Marvellous. What else is there to mention? Oh, said nothing about the drink. Carling, Carlsberg, Stella, Tetley Smooth, Guinness, Strongbow Cider. Hmm, should have let it remain unsaid really. Punch & Judy, 41, Grafton Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1UZ. Tel: 01473 210979. Map: Click Here.

Back street local. © Hugh Gleave Spread Eagle: Traditional old-fashioned local on the fringe of the town centre. No food or gimmicks. Usual range of drinks including the odd real ale. The pool table is in a separate room. Beer garden. Not far from the college so tends to attract students. Ten minutes walk at most from the stadium. Opening 12.00 noon - 11.00 a.m. Spread Eagle, 1 - 3, Fore Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1JW. Tel: 01473 256338. Map: Click Here.

On the way from the station to the stadium. © Hugh Gleave Station Hotel: Right outside Ipswich (Main) Railway Station, and as such 500 yards from, and within sight of, the stadium. Much frequented by and thus used to away fans, though tolerant rather than overtly welcoming. A fairly standard establishment whose main recommendation is its convenience. Courage Directors and Best, plus a guest sometimes. Keg is Fosters, Kronenbourg, John Smiths Smooth, Guinness and Strongbow Cider. Has two TVs and two big screens showing sports, a pool table and a juke box. Food served 11.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. Monday - Friday, 12.00 noon - 5.00 p.m. Saturday and 12.00 noon - 8.00 p.m. Sunday. Beer garden, wheelchair access, No Smoking area and limited car parking for about fifteen vehicles. Opening is Monday - Saturday 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m., Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Obviously for an evening game you'd be sharing it with the commuters dropping in for one or two before heading home or further into town. Station Hotel, Burrell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8AJ. Tel: 01473 602664. Map: Click Here.

The Cricketers: About 100 yards from the other Wetherspoon (below), so also around five minutes from the ground. Doesn't have own parking. Currently allows smoking but the chain has a declared policy of a complete ban in all its outlets by May 2006. The Cricketers, 51, Crown Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3LD. Tel: 01473 225910. Map: Click Here.

Wetherspoons: Name rather gives it away. Five minutes walk from the stadium. Doesn't have parking. Currently allows smoking but......etc. Wetherspoons, 10, Corn Hill, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DB. Tel: 01473 210334. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Conversations about the respective merits of Massey Ferguson and John Deere may while away the odd hour or two so check that subscription to Classic Tractor is up to date. Apart from that the chances of finding someone old enough to have memories of the last time our football worlds occupied the same planet in the Southern League are remote.

Top-Tip :

All that matters out there on the prairies is what the scummers to the north are doing. All that matters in N*rw*ch is what the scummers to the south are doing. When the duelling banjos start up get out of the crossfire.

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[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

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