Portman Road’s South Stand will be officially rechristened the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand prior to tomorrow’s home game against Barnsley. The six members of Ramsey’s 1961/62 First Division championship-winning side who are the club’s special guests at the match — Andy Nelson, Larry Carberry, John Compton, Doug Moran, Ray Crawford and Ted Phillips - will be given the honour of renaming the stand when they take to the pitch 20 minutes before kick-off.

Chief executive Simon Clegg said: "I'm delighted to confirm that with the full agreement and support of Lady Ramsey, the club has decided to invite the team from 1961/62 to rename the South Stand in honour of Sir Alf.

"The Supporters Club have asked me many times to consider honouring Sir Alf in this way and with the 50th anniversary of the League championship win now upon us, it seemed the right time to do that."

Manager Paul Jewell believes it’s important for Town to remember its greatest days in this manner: “It was a fantastic achievement, brilliant. We want to embrace the history of the football club and make some ourselves.

“It would be lovely in years to come if there was something like that [in honour of the current team] because it would mean we’re successful.

“That’s why Sir Alf and Sir Bobby, the 61/62 team, the 78 team and the 81 team are loved by the supporters. It’s important that we pay huge respect to what’s gone on in the past.”

The players, who will also lay wreaths Sir Alf's graveside and at the foot of his statue tomorrow morning, were told of the renaming at this evening’s ex-players’ dinner which is being held at Portman Road.

A number of former players will be in Legends bar after the game meeting fans and signing autographs.

Photo: Action Images

MarkITFC added 19:34 - Mar 30 Great News
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canveyblue added 19:36 - Mar 30 About time......
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TrueBlueFerret added 19:36 - Mar 30 Absolutely Brilliant news!!!!!!!!!!
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Sindre94 added 19:40 - Mar 30 This made my day, brilliant news. Sir Alf Ramsey, legend, hero, a fantastic man and manager. Love this!!
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BlueBhoy added 19:43 - Mar 30 Great News, a great man, a great team and a great achievement. I think sometimes we forgot how great we have been down the years and how far we have come for a clubfrom such a small town in suffolk . Hopefully we can kick on in next few years and have more great teams like some that have gone before. Carrnn the Blues.
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Blueboy added 19:49 - Mar 30 I for one will be well chuffed to take my seat in the Sir Alf Ramsey stand tomorrow
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:50 - Mar 30 Great idea. Well done. Jas/Wobbleswick/itfc1981 - any of you going to turn this into a negative story ???
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jert16 added 19:52 - Mar 30 Brilliant :-D
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Big_Foot_Blue added 19:54 - Mar 30 Brilliant news, two legends at either end of the pitch shows how great our history is and however much we would like to make new history, its still important to remember and honour the past COYB
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hollywoodginge added 19:55 - Mar 30 Genuinely almost shed a tear of joy when learning of this, delighted is an understatement, fitting tribute long overdue! You earned that Sir Alf, your achievement in winning the title at the 1st attempt is a feat that will never be achieved again and in many ways was bigger than winning the world cup. Eternal thanks, RIP Sir Alf
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Lanky added 19:55 - Mar 30 About time :)
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WJG_87 added 20:00 - Mar 30 All I can say is about bloody time!
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alfromcol added 20:08 - Mar 30 Great news, honoured to be sitting in the Sir Alf Ramsey stand tomorrow. Great day in prospect including a win by several goals.
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das_bones added 20:10 - Mar 30 Great news! Just need a win tomorrow now!!
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Taricco_Fan added 20:13 - Mar 30 Class act.
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TimmyH added 20:16 - Mar 30 Yep...really good to hear it, so we can be associated more clearly to this legend, alot of younger supporters of other clubs would only think he was the manager of England when we won the world cup...uh uh! onwards and upwards for this club after this!!
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TimmyH added 20:19 - Mar 30 It makes me laugh when we hear billionaires taking over so called fashionable clubs with great history etc....really? like Chelsea and Manchester City!!! Do one!
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RetroBlue added 20:20 - Mar 30 Awesome! Not even Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal etc etc, can boast the provision of TWO of Englands most succesful Managers. What an awesome achievement for Ipswich Town FC. Wonder if the scum based media will give it more then 20 seconds air time- doubt it very much . They are utterly incapable of recognising true greatness!
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SamWhiteUK added 20:25 - Mar 30 Love this news! Two great England managers, both of who managed ITFC!! South stand is a terrible name anyway.
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Ebantiass added 20:25 - Mar 30 Well overdue and a fitting mark to a great man.
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Sibelius8 added 20:32 - Mar 30 At last! Our greatest manager, and he was such a lovely man. I met him on several occasions and he really should have been more bitter about the way the FA treated him after '70 World Cup, but he wasn't, just a homely but engaging resident on Valley Road. When there was a snowy game 50 years ago, (unbelievable now!!?) he was "theTurnstile man" at those very gates in the Churchman's End (How appropriate now!) and he was manning the "Boys Entrance" because they, the club, were short staffed. I said, as I paid my two and sixpence, and I felt that rather bizzare Saturday two-weekly clunk on my hips, simply, "Wow, this is the Manager!" as one does, and then asked the great Alf why he was on this menial turnstile duty. He simply replied: "You need to see the game, so I'm here." Food for thought maybe. Have you seen a Jewell in this sparkling season? There was no Girls turnstiles then of course. What I do remember, as an 8-year old kid then, was his, Alf's, voice, mellow but commanding - a curious combination. Anyway, I am so that glad we are celebrating such a wonderful person. We owe him much. Thank you AR. You make me proud to be a true supporter.

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MathieandMarshall added 20:33 - Mar 30 Great touch. Well done ITFC for giving up the chance to make a few quid in sponsorship and unstead honouring another town icon. A legend at either end of the stadium! As previous posters have said. Not many clubs can boast that.
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TractorCam added 20:36 - Mar 30 Loving this news, the 2 greatest england and ipswich managers holding 2 stands at Portman Road, fantastic!
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BlueinBrum added 20:39 - Mar 30 I'll be very proud to take my seat in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand tomorrow.
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50yearsablue added 20:41 - Mar 30 Privileged to see the teams of both our greatest managers. Pleased to see Sir Alf honoured in the same way as Sir Bobby and a very appropriate time to do it
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