Town boss Mick McCarthy, Blues legend Terry Butcher and ex-striker and current academy coach Alan Lee joined Simon Milton to officially launch Team ITFC’s Ipswich to Amsterdam Cycle Challenge 2016.

The ride will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Town’s UEFA Cup win.

The five-day return trip, which runs from June 3rd to 7th, will join-up with Prostate Cancer UK's annual London to Amsterdam cyclists and once in Holland will take in a visit to the the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam where the final took place.

The cyclists will then move on to the home of final opponents AZ Alkmaar, where there are plans to play a game against their staff and fans, while Butcher will be reunited with former team-mates Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen, before making the return trip to Suffolk.

Next summer will be the third time the club has been involved in the London to Amsterdam Cycle Challenge, raising money for the Town Academy and Prostate Cancer UK.

In June this year 67 cyclists made up Team ITFC and raised £140,000. This time around team leader Milton wants to bring that number up to 100.

He said: “Enthusiastic cyclists who took up the challenge last year have already registered their interest for 2016 but I need more people to come on board to take up the challenge.

“It is 276 miles in total over five days and you don’t have to be an elite cyclist to take part. Our most senior cyclist was 67 years old last year and was also a Prostate Cancer survivor. We also organise local training rides for the team so you will all be able to meet up and do some training together.”

Manager McCarthy paid tribute to Milton, who recently won the Player Impact Award at Coaching for Hope’s Football For Good Awards for his work on last year’s ride.

“It’s Simon Milton that is the energy behind it, there’s no doubt about that,” McCarthy said. “He’s just won an award for football in the community and it was thoroughly deserved because he’s terrific.

“He pushed the bike ride and he does it every year, he’s brilliant, he drives it on with the sponsors from the club who contribute and gets them all involved, big, slim, not so slim, old, young, all of those.

“And he’s coerced my son to do the marathon as well. Where he got the notion of running marathons from I’ve no idea, it wasn’t from me! I’d be more inclined to do the bike ride but I’m on my holidays, I’m afraid, so I can’t.

“Those bike rides are brilliant for team spirit, community spirit, camaraderie, they’re fantastic.

“And the club is synonymous with Dutch players with Thijssen and Muhren and there’s a link-up there.”

The Town boss is delighted that his 28-year-old son Michael (pictured with him above) is running next year’s London Marathon for the same cause: “He’s had no prompting from me, he wanted to contribute something by doing the marathon and raising money for it and I thought it was great.

“He’ll get a great buzz out of it, I know he will, and from doing it for Prostate Cancer UK as well.

“Both my parents died of cancer, one from breast cancer, one from bowel cancer, but that’s irrelevant to me, it’s cancer and they all have a habit of killing people, don’t they? So if he can raise money to help prevent it, that’s brilliant.”

Milton added: “Team ITFC is once again sponsored by John Reader from GAH Refrigeration. Warwick Dunnett from Seven Asset Management and James Robbins from Marshall Hatchick Solicitors have come on board as associate sponsors.

“There are more associate sponsors places available so please get in touch for more details. I am delighted they have all confirmed their support and attendance.”

As in previous years those taking part will have to raise £2,000 each with a registration fee of £149 per person.

If you want to reserve a place, register your interest or for further information, email teamitfc@itfc.co.uk.

Photo: Action Images

Hogger added 09:03 - Mar 10 Phil, Andrew here (ex Amsterdam Blue.... friend of Austen Dack etc... we met once I believe) If you think there is anything I can do to facilitate things this end I would be happy to help. Live close to the Olympic stadium .
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