In these quiet, international fixture weeks, the TWTD Message Board becomes cluttered with all kinds of nonsense – discussions about politics, vegetarianism, the rights and wrongs of veal, favourite cheeses, among many other topics. One intriguing question was also posed recently to a regular poster who seemed to have become dissatisfied with Town’s current players, manager, owner, chairman and footballing style. Which led to the obvious question – why do we support the Town?

It is a complicated question, with any number of different answers. The simple response, for me, is that my family lived in Essex in the early/mid-Seventies, had the Evening Gazette delivered every night, complete with rapturous reports of ITFC victories, and I just became more and more wrapped up in the boys in blue.

But, as Town sit rooted at the bottom of the Championship, a million miles from our aim to roar into the Premiership, there must surely be more to it than that? And, of course, there is. And they are:

• Our colours - blue is lovely, isn't it? Especially contrasted against brilliant white.
• 1962 - winning the championship at the first attempt, a feat which will never be matched.
• Legendary managers - Sir Alf, Sir Bobby. Statues of them both. RIP.
• The training pitch - perfect for picnicking on. Is there a better place to be at 2.30 on a sunny April/August Saturday, than lying on the fake turf, reading the programme and sipping a pint in anticipation of the match? No.
• David Geddis, Willie Young, Roger Osborne, 1-0.
• That picture of Gates, Mariner, Mills and Butcher all on England duty together.
• Kevin Beattie, the first ever Young PFA Award winner, should have been the greatest England player of the era
• European nights - Seventies, Eighties, Noughties. Glorious.
• Mr John - and the corinthian attitude which he and his family embodied.
• 1981 - the best team in Europe.
• Silky passing football - our tradition since the days of the two Dutchmen.
• Warky’s 36 goals, in one season. From midfield.
• Little old ladies and gents with blankets over their knees and flasks of coffee...
• ... all of them laughing at poor little Ullathorne and Gunn, back in 1996.
• Target men - Trevor Whymark, Paul Mariner, David Johnson (mk1), Ian Marshall, all of them fast, lithe, battering rams with sublime skill.
• Marcus Stewart, rounding Westerfeld to score and secure a 1-0 win at Anfield in 2000.
• The youth system - two FA Youth Cup wins and home-grown talent from Beattie, Wark, Butcher, Whymark, Osborne, Dyer, Wright, Bent et al.
• 17-year-old Kieron – skipping through Championship opposition midfielders in the late Nineties.
• 1978 - hammering the Arse for most of the match.
• Finidi George defeating Derby on his own in 2001.
• Our beautiful south and north stands - perfect vantage points.
• The swift walk to PR from the station - for those of us now based in London.
• “Reuser! Premiership!”
• The Portman Road pitch - lush, green, perfect. The best in the land.

prawnsandwich added 08:11 - Oct 8 I remember, being in the town square, sitting on my dads Shoulders at the UEFA cup homecoming in 82, 7 years old and from then on a devoted fan. I think we were stood outside Grimwades!!
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IPS_wich added 09:49 - Oct 8 Born and raised in Ipswich, with a father who had been going to Portman Road since 1958 (and I still go with him - can't wait to start taking my lad next season when he is 5). A Junior Blue and Mascot in 1981 (when there was only a single mascot) - we beat Stoke 4-0. Also, the 10 year period that is not often mentioned between 1995 and 2005 where the only meaningless end-of season was 2003. 95/96 - Finish 7th , missing out on play-offs on last game of season (Millwall at home - they got relegated and tore up some seats) 96/97 - Play-offs 97/98 - Play-offs 98/99 - Play-offs 99/00 - Play-offs 00/01 - Playing for a potential Champions League place on last game of the season 01/02 - Relegated on last game 02/03 - Time to catch our breath 03/04 - Play-offs 04/05 - Play-offs It's been emotional!!!

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trueblue added 10:27 - Oct 8 '' young boys playing in the park, jumpers for goal posts... ''
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dboyips added 10:46 - Oct 8 One memory that always sticks in my mind.It was early 60s on a hot sunny day,a bone dry pitch.We were playing Burnley and we were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area .North Stand end.Up strode a certain Ted Phillips ,there was a puff of dust and the ball was hit with such force it ripped the stakes out in the back of the goal and smacked against the wall at the front of the stand.It rolled back from the wall and halfway back up the outside of the net.There keeper i think goalkeeper was a guy called Adam Blacklaw or something like that.He looked relieved he was not in the way of that shot.I can still picture it now ,magic times from a still magic club.Those times will return again .i have every faith in that

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WeWereZombies added 12:28 - Oct 8 'Kevin Beattie, the first ever Young PFA Award winner, should have been the greatest England player of the era' ? - according to The Independent's Brian Viner, an Everton supporter, he is the greatest England player ever! Clive Woods goal against Feyenoord - 1975, I think A Joe Royle! team coming back from 0-2 down to Sheffield United with ten minutes to go to win 3-2 Finidi's goal against Sunderland that was so good The Observer forgot all about the Premiership and condescended to give 'Goal of the Week' to the Championship for the only time in 2002/03 season L'Equipe forgetting that Ipswich were English and declaring that we were the best team in Europe in 1981 Colin Viljoen unpicking a Manchester United team that included George Best and send them crashing to a 2-0 defeat at Portman Road in 1970

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corshamblue added 12:32 - Oct 8 Why Do I support Ipswich? Simple . . . All of the above! It's in our hearts and souls. We couldn't support anyone else if we wanted. As a kid I too watched Town Play Barcelona with players like Yohan Cruyff running past our noises as we stood watching from the West Stand on our Milk crates. The Beat' and cheers of Big Al' thundered the night air and contributed to memories that me who I am today and the FAN I'll always be. COYB

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ITFC1985 added 12:33 - Oct 8 Having never lost a competitive home european game.....beating greats like Barcelona and Inter Milan
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corshamblue added 12:37 - Oct 8 ... that should have been, that makes me who I am today and the FAN I'll always be.. [Dumb Ars*! Tractor Boy that can't type!] COYB
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Edinburgh_Blue added 12:43 - Oct 8 'Aquiring' milk crates with my friends on the way to evening games to stand on as 11 year olds. Watching Alan Brazil score 5 past Peter Shilton from this lofty vantage point!
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insignificants added 12:55 - Oct 8 I meant to choose Man U but made a mistake in the early 70's. All of the above are great moments. Also, drinking the Greyhound dry after a 3-1 home win against Blackburn in the early 90s. What a game!
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Edinburgh_Blue added 12:55 - Oct 8 Watching Dalian Atkinson (surely the best player in the world for precisely just one game) score a sublime hat-trick against Everton.
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Wickford_ITFC added 13:00 - Oct 8 Oh great days, but some additional highlights to remember. Brian Talbot bloody head after clashing with John Wile putting us 1-0 in 78 semi Kevin Beattie scoring from free kick on half way line agianst Leeds (i was mascot that day & the Beat was my fav palyer) not a lucky one though as we lost 3-2. Thrashing Southampton & WBA both 7-0 during 75 season. Mullering Man u 6-0 and missing three penalties to boot (1 was re-take I believe) The heart break of missing out on 75 cup final due to Clive Thomas ineptitude. The heart break of watching us get relegated in 86 at West Ham.

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sotd78 added 13:21 - Oct 8 I am privileged to say I remember nearly all these things. I first saw Town against Pompey where Colin Viljoen scored a hat-trick - was that his debut? I was 10. I was at Leicester for those famous replays against Leeds. Being up so high at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final replay against West Ham when Clive Thomas robbed us. Hating "Forever Blowing Bubbles" from that day on. I went to the 78 final and the charity shield match against Forest - we got thrashed but sang the whole game. Great support. I went all the way to Aris to see us cling on and then go through after Gates scored on the way to the 81 Uefa Cup. I also remember games when we lost - at Everton in the cup when Beattie scored a towering header to get one back - oh too late. At West Ham when we got relegated. Great days. Great memories. Days when you thought your side could be a match for anyone - and often was. Those Were The Days TWTD. So sad that they may never return...

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WickedBlue added 14:10 - Oct 8 I was at Filbert St for those games then the semi final against West Ham first at Villa Park were they proceeded to kick the crap out of us, and not in a footballing sense. Trevor Wymark finished the game playing at CB I don't think West Ham knew what a ball looked like and we got no protection from the referee. Then I was at the replay at Stamford Bridge we had a lot of injuries because of the first game but still played them off the park but a certain Mr Clive Thomas disallowed two perfectly good goals to ensure West Ham won 2-1. (And one of the their goals was definitely off side) The one goal he did allow for us was an own goal so couldn't really disallow that one. Even the BBC commentators thought it was a total injustice saying "I will tell you this, the best team tonight is not going to Wembley." I have never been so angry in my life about a football game and it was the first FA Cup final I did not watch I just couldn't and is one of the reasons I hate West Ham today. Though a few days after that match in the league we beat them 4-0 but it was little satisfaction after losing out a first trip to Wembly.

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BraintreeBlue added 14:24 - Oct 8 The party in Helsingborg. Not just the football - can't remember much of it anyway... still one of the best nights I've ever had in my life. I made it onto the end of season DVD for that game, that filled in a lot of blanks for me!
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:55 - Oct 8 boys in the park ,jumpers for goal posts,.................Hancock .Charlie Woods, Eric Gates,Colin Viljoen , Peter Morris,.... ''CHOPPER'' Jefferson .[do they still make that model].the list go's on ........aaahhhhhh thems were the days .NOW i remember why i support the Town .......COYB .LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
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SouperJim added 17:01 - Oct 8 My first game was a 5-1 thumping of Exeter City in the league cup 98-99 season, the day after my 19th birthday. Went to about another dozen games that season, sat in the cobbold, then discovered the north stand in 99-00 and it was the north stand experience that really cemented me as a Town fan. The roof nearly coming off after Reuser's late winner against a very negative Fulham side will live long in the memory, as will the reaction to Wilnis' goal against Man U first home game the season after. The atmosphere in that old tin shed was electric, I'm not sure it'll ever be matched these days but, aside from a love of the club itself and the style of football we play, it's the promise of those handful of games each season where the atmosphere is really jumping that ultimately keeps me coming back.

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warwickblue added 18:02 - Oct 8 Can I just add that this has been the most enlightening, uplifting, pleasant, morale-boosting,interesting and friendly thread on here for absolutely ages. Perhaps the world does has something to learn from the oldies who are timorous enough to bring a flask to the game... what a pleasant change from the macho posturing of some of the others who frequent this site.
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VILJOEN67 added 18:55 - Oct 8 sotd78, that pompey game was my first too, i also remember my first awaY derby at Norwich where viljoen also scored a hatrick. OH HAPPY DAYS
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brogansnose added 19:25 - Oct 8 My first Town hero was Frank Brogan mainly because i remember a dismal game played in mud and me barely bring able to see over the wall, even standing on a stool. Anyway he thumped one in from miles away and i was totally in awe, not to mention ecstatic. Second hero Jimmy Robertson , the man who could turn on a sixpence.Ipswich Town has given me so many good times and memories over the years that it has more than made up for the not so good times. It has been a wonderful love affair and continues to be so. Thanks Franz, a very timely blog. Oh and favourite game-beating Man U 4-0 at PR with them having George Best and Bobby Charlton in the side.

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bluewein added 20:43 - Oct 8 1st game when i was 10, 26th September '97 home to man city, Mathie with the winner on 67 minutes, still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end!!! Moments i'm surprised havn't been mentioned... The scene of Burley jumping around as Reuser finish's of Barnsley and realising we've finally done it!! Warky 25 yards out smacking the same post in the same place twice!!! Armstrong's header against Inter. Every Kuqi celebration (Always looks better in a town shirt!!!) And finally my personal favourite, Micky Stockwell's weaving run at selhurst park taking on half a team before calmly slotting the ball home... More good days to come as well keep the faith.... Blooooooooooooooooooooooo aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarmyyyy!!!!!

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WREXHAM_BLUE added 20:44 - Oct 8 Great article!! Strange isn't it? Being a born and bred Welshman who's lived in Wrexham all his life, the question I get asked most is: "... so why Ipswich?" Does my head in!! I don't know why - it's not really a conscious decision is it; more of an evolution, a calling if you like. All I do know is I'm glad and proud I'm an Ipswich fan. Oh, and if some of you are curious as to why... I used to be a keeper and Paul Cooper was my hero - 8 out of 10 in a season!! Enough said!

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dirtydingusmagee added 21:11 - Oct 8 I can still see Micky Lambert running down wing, arms flailing around like someone drowning ,and yes WREXHAM BLUE, Paul Cooper,! ......MEMORIES, as has been said good thread, THANKS Franzgumm.
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north_stand77 added 23:45 - Oct 8 Going on the cross channel ferries with 6000 other ipswich supporters to Bruges and Feyenord -and hundreds being very sick on one of the return trips when the stabilizers on the ship failed! And on top of large quantities of beer too! yuk. Also being at Stamford Bridge and singing 'Bye bye West Ham, West Ham Bye bye' to the then chart topping Bay City Rollers song- well up until Clive Thomas messed up anyway. Then I cried.... Also I think of 'Bomber' Beattie powering up the centre of the field and the anticipation of Alan Hunter 'sorting' any opponant who dared to cross any of his team mates! And the drive home from Wembley and seeing people standing on the foot bridges over the A12 cheering and waving blue and white scarfes. The civic reception in the town centre where fans clung to roof tops and at least one supporter had climbed onto a massive crane which was working on the new Debenhams site ! No health and safety issues then! I love my club.

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swedish_meatballs added 09:36 - Oct 9 Warwickblue.......you are spot on with everything u say! I would also like to say that having moved to Sweden a year ago, this website is often my only link between ITFC and my new life today. In tough times like where our club currently stand, I dread coming on this website to read SOME peoples comments. Like warwickblue, I have found this thread completely uplifting and makes me realise that not every person that frequents this site must use swear word after swear word and actually has constructive things to say. Please please more of the same, we should be celebrating our famous historical successful football club and sharing our memories. Finally, my first Ipswich game was Blackburn at home in September 1990 and we won 2-1...David Gregory u legend! I will always remember my dad persuading me, a 6 year old boy whose life before this day was cartoons and toy cars, to come to the football as "there are lots and lots of programmes there!" Me, being in love with cartoons, presumed he meant TV programmes, ie CARTOONS! I fell for this but my sister didn't. However, my disappointment at not seeing any cartoons was soon replaced with immediate love for Ipswich Town. Reading other peoples comments that have many memories from the 60's 70's and 80's makes me heavily disappointed that I didn't live during these days but we must be optimistic and hope that 1 day, these happy times will once again return to our football club......

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