Town fan Inge Haug has been named Norway’s Supporter of the Year by the country’s Supporterunionen for Britisk Fotball. Inge is a season ticket holder in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand and has attended an astonishing 43 Blues matches this season, despite still living in his homeland.

Inge told TWTD that he was delighted to receive the award, which was announced live on Norwegian TV at half-time during their coverage of Manchester United’s weekend victory over Spurs: “They give it every year to one supporter who has done something special either over the years or during a season.

“Members from different clubs nominate whoever they think deserve the award. I was nominated by three different people and was then selected the winner by the jury.

”I’ve seen 43 Ipswich matches this season, including pre-season, cup matches and league games.”

Like so many Scandinavian supporters, Inge, who lives in Kongsvinger in the South-East of Norway with wife Monica and their two children, became hooked on English football when games were shown each weekend in the seventies: “I became a Town fan in 1978. Here in Norway we were watching a league game live on telly every Saturday and by far most popular team was Liverpool.

“I didn’t want to be like everyone else, so I chose Town. And when my Dad gave me a pennant after the cup win, I was sold (and yes, I have told this story approx 41524234978356 times now!).”

Inge, 37, also helps organise travel for ITSCON (Ipswich Town Supporters Club of Norway), which has more than 500 members, after all as he says, “I do have some experience!”.

Having been prevented from attending the Doncaster match due to the volcano-related flight problems, Inge says he made sure he wasn’t going to have similar hassles last Saturday: “The volcanic ash did prevent me from going to the last home game against Donny.

“When they reopened the airspace, I booked the first flight out of Norway on the Wednesday afternoon and took a couple of days off work, just to make sure I didn’t miss the Newcastle game!”

And it’s that sort of dedication which won him the award.

Photo: Action Images

JTL279 added 12:51 - Apr 28 Fantastic support. Surely the club will also want to recognise Inge's loyalty.
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bluelass7 added 12:55 - Apr 28 Blimey. Good on you Inge. I think you deserve at least a lifetime's worth of every new top that comes out. Having said that, at least pay for his season ticket next season.
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StavangerBlue added 12:58 - Apr 28 As a ITFC fan living in Stavanger, Norway, all i can say is WHAT A NUTTER!!! Fantastic support but to put it all in perspective...the cost and time etc must be huge. I often travel to the UK on business and for pleasure and it sometimes takes 7 hours to get from Stavanger to Manchester. You cannot be more than impressed.
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mickeyjb added 13:03 - Apr 28 Bang goes my excuse for not making all the games! Well done mate.
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mightytown added 13:06 - Apr 28 good lad
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Harwich_Blue added 13:22 - Apr 28 Real fan
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Tractor_Thief added 13:25 - Apr 28 Now that's dedication and surely is worth of a note from the club and some sort of recognition? Free tickets?? Shirts??
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arc added 13:25 - Apr 28 He must have some carbon footprint ;-)
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Tractor_Thief added 13:26 - Apr 28 Footprint? No he is flying!! ;O)
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ozzydog added 13:41 - Apr 28 Living abroad I can only admire his dedication I thought I was doing well with my 6 games! I hope the club acknowledge his loyalty
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Bergholtblue added 13:52 - Apr 28 Worth a mention at the Sheff U match at the very least.
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petersongoal added 14:07 - Apr 28 what a legend! what a cool name, hats off to the fella!
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brogansnose added 14:10 - Apr 28 Totally amazing, what a supporter. Cleggy sort something out for the bloke.
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stiffshorts added 14:10 - Apr 28 he must have some dosh. A normal working person could'nt afford the time or money. That said I take my hat off to him, he's had to put up with arguably the worst town season since the fifties so he's a credit to the club. I hope those lazy, useless, overpaid players realise what a fantastic person the've let down this season. Well done sir, you have my utmost respect!

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Moscow_Blue added 14:38 - Apr 28 This is what supporting Town is all about! Well done, sir.
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itfc1981 added 15:38 - Apr 28 what a top bloke! I live in Norwich, where's my award?
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cphtractor added 16:30 - Apr 28 Nice one. I am embarrassed with my one game per season average. But I will make the trip from Copenhagen this sunday for the last game of the season. I saw a peace on Look East where they interviewed the norweigian supporters at Mannings. The reporter claimed that they went to every home game. I thought to my self that can´t be right, how wrong I was. Amazing support.

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sonian_blue added 16:54 - Apr 28 Top Man. Get him on the turf at half time.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:59 - Apr 28 Respect! (By the way, I'm sure I talked to you at the Waregem match a year or two back???)
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TractorRoyNo1 added 17:24 - Apr 28 Now let's hear from the fickle fans who are not renewing their season tickets!
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AberdeenTractor added 18:32 - Apr 28 That my friend is impressive, wish I could manage that many games!
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OrkneyBlue added 19:35 - Apr 28 Superb! Think he must have a very understanding mrs! Thought i did well with my 6-8 games a season! Awsome! Now,if he can have a season ticket from Norway and i live about same distance from PR....can anyone hear the cogs and see the lightbulb above my head...!
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Marcus added 20:09 - Apr 28 Waaah! From Singapore I only managed one game this season when I came over for the holiday season. Impressed... Total nutter, but impressed!
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slowerball added 23:51 - Apr 28 There's Norway you can knock this guy! He probably gets his cash from his roles in Fantastic Four and The Shield.
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bluepeter added 00:17 - Apr 29 Does he leave 5 minutes before the end to get home?
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