Ipswich Town Football Club: Introduction

Ipswich Town Football Club, commonly referred to as Ipswich Town or simply Ipswich, is a professional football club based in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Currently, Ipswich Town plays football in the English Premier League.

The staff at the Fanbase here hope the club and supporters do well in future games. So, here’s our comprehensive overview of the club:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

History and Foundation

• Founded: 1878.
• Nickname: The Tractor Boys.
• Stadium: Portman Road, which has been the club’s home ground since 1884. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 30,000.
• Colors: The team traditionally plays in blue shirts with white shorts and blue socks.

Ipswich Town Football Club: Early Years

• Ipswich Town initially played in regional competitions and never went professional until 1936. However, they joined the Football League in 1938. But World War II interrupted their early years in the Football League.
• The club was relatively obscure until the appointment of Alf Ramsey as manager in 1955.

Golden Era: The 1960s and 70s

• Alf Ramsey Era (1955-1963): Ramsey transformed the club, leading them to the Third Division South title in 1956-57, the Second Division title in 1960-61, and most remarkably, the First Division title in their debut season in the top flight in 1961-62. This remains Ipswich Town’s only top-flight title.
• Ramsey’s success at Ipswich earned him the job as England’s national team manager, where he famously led England to World Cup glory in 1966.
• Bobby Robson Era (1969-1982): Another highly successful period in Ipswich’s history. Robson built a team that regularly competed at the top of the English First Division and in European competitions. Under Robson, Ipswich won the FA Cup in 1978, defeating Arsenal 1-0 in the final, and the UEFA Cup in 1981, defeating AZ Alkmaar 5-4 on aggregate in the final. Robson’s team was known for its attractive, attacking football.

Ipswich Town Football Club: Decline and Struggles

• After Robson left in 1982 to manage England, Ipswich began to decline. The club was relegated from the First Division in 1986 and has since struggled to regain its former heights.
• Ipswich spent several years in the second tier of English football, bouncing between divisions.

Recent History

• Ipswich enjoyed a brief resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s under manager George Burley. The club was promoted to the Premier League in 2000 after winning the playoff final.
• 2000-2001 Premier League Season: Ipswich finished 5th, qualifying for the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League), but the club was relegated the following season in 2001-2002.
• Since then, Ipswich has primarily been a Championship (second tier) team, although it was relegated to League One (third tier) in 2019.

Ipswich Town Football Club: Rivalries

• Norwich City: Ipswich’s most intense rivalry is with Norwich City, and their matches are known as the “East Anglian Derby” or “Old Farm Derby.” This rivalry is one of the fiercest in English football.

However, the humorous name for this fixture is, “Old Farm Derby”. This is a rip off of the “Old Firm Derby,” which is between the two Glaswegian clubs, Rangers and their rivals, Celtic.

Support and Culture

• Ipswich has a passionate fan base, especially in East Anglia. The club has a reputation for nurturing young talent and playing attractive football.
• The team’s nickname, “The Tractor Boys,” was initially a derogatory term rivals would use, but Ipswich fans embraced it as a badge of honour. They are also called “The Blues.”

Notable Players

• John Wark: A versatile midfielder and prolific scorer, Wark is one of the club’s all-time greats.
• Mick Mills: The club’s most-capped player and captain during their successful periods in the 1970s and 1980s.
• Paul Mariner: A key striker during the Bobby Robson era.
• Kevin Beattie: Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the club’s history.

Management and Ownership

• The club has had various owners and management changes over the years. As of recent years, Gamechanger 20 Ltd., a US-based group, owns the club.

Youth Academy

• Ipswich Town has a well-regarded youth academy, producing several talented players who have gone on to have successful careers in football.

Ipswich Town Football Club: Honours and Achievements

• First Division/Premier League: 1 (1961-62)
• FA Cup: 1 (1977-78)
• UEFA Cup: 1 (1980-81)
• Second Division/Championship: 3 (1960-61, 1967-68, 1991-92)
• Texaco Cup: 1 (1972-73)

Ipswich Town won the top league once in the 1961/2 season after gaining promotion. The club has won the second tier in England 3 times.

Indeed, the club has played in all three European competitions too. So, the club has got a nice little piece of history.

Current Status

• As of the 2023-2024 season, Ipswich Town is competing in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, with hopes of returning to the Premier League.

Ipswich Town is a club with a proud history and a significant place in English football, remembered especially for its glory days under Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson.

Ipswich Town Football Club Promotion

The Ipswich Town Fans Forum is now part of our bulletin boards. So, what are you waiting for? Start promoting Ipswich right now! After all, Ipswich Town FC is the best team on earth, isn’t it?

** Information updated on September 2, 2024.