Town MD Ian Milne has hailed the club’s new FanZone initiative, which debuted ahead of Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Barnsley behind the East of England Co-op Stand, as a success and says it will become a regular feature of matchdays, including tonight’s EFL Cup tie against Stevenage.

“We were delighted with the support the FanZone received from the fans,” Milne told the club site.

“We weren’t sure what numbers to expect so to get nearly 2,000 was fantastic. It’s a work in progress and we are receiving feedback from supporters on how we can improve things and we are looking at that already - but from the reaction we got on Saturday, the FanZone is here to stay.”

The initial plan was for the FanZone to open at weekend games but the club are now also trialing it at midweek matches.

FanZone, which is sponsored by Greene King and Aspall, is open to all home fans with a match ticket and club members. Blues legend Bryan Hamilton will be popping over to meet supporters at around 7pm.

Entry is via Gate 1A from 6pm this evening - last orders at 7.15pm - with all supporters required to exit the FanZone through that gate before heading to the turnstiles.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

12th_Man added 15:01 - Aug 9 Great work was there Saturday and will be there tonight
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hoppy added 15:06 - Aug 9 I guess it's not going to be the case but would like to see Burger & Beyond there tonight, as had been disappointed they weren't on Saturday, having heard they were going to be involved. Should think the queues wouldn't be so bad tonight either, with a much smaller crowd. Got to give the club credit for getting this going - and responding to the feedback quite quickly too.

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Currie10 added 15:08 - Aug 9 Quite a money spinner this for the club.
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PhilTWTD added 15:14 - Aug 9 Hoppy From what I was told Burger & Beyond will be at all future weekend games (no idea on midweek but assume not tonight as set-up at short notice), but were already booked elsewhere on Saturday.
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Seasider added 16:14 - Aug 9 I will still go to Legends;but good idea as don't think much in way of bars etc in the Cobbold. Club may benefit marginally from the two establishments over the road which are now both closed;but so unfortunately is where we used to park.
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hampstead_blue added 16:29 - Aug 9 I think it's a great idea. We can support the club by spending money there and you don't have to go to some grotty pub before the game. Maybe some sofa's wouldn't go amiss.
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KuqiCoup added 16:39 - Aug 9 It's an excellent and long overdue concept. I've always headed to a pub, watched the early game and had food and drink there. Would rather give it to ITFC than anyone else. Yes there were a few problems I noted on Saturday and especially getting served, places to sit other than the turf etc, but all in all it's an excellent idea, adds to the build up and atmosphere, adds extra revenue into the club and the club seem very keen to build and build on it through feedback. ITFC have in many departments been a shambles off the field, with supporter initiatives, bars being understaffed, having to wait ages for drinks and so on, but this is a step in the right direction. If they are willing to listen to the fans then we can help each other to create a better atmosphere and to boost the coffers through ITFC being the pre-match venue of choice. Long may it continue. Well done Marcus, Ian and all.

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IamSpartacus added 16:58 - Aug 9 This is a great idea but definitely more places to sit a must, also more things for kids to do- my son and his mate were really looking forward to the idea of it but they couldn't see over the crowd to witness the legends and a few minutes on a crowded bouncy castle do not make for spending long there. Work in progress, but positive start...
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Tractorboy1985 added 18:12 - Aug 9 Wasn't there Saturday but very much look forward to my first game this season in a few weeks! Great idea by the club! Having many friends who support teams in the premier and been to a few games with them for a jolly it adds to the day with pre match entertainment! It's not just the 90 mins of football this is a great experience before the game where fans can interact and have a sing song/food and a few beers prior to kick off! Let's hope we gain more momentum with a win over Stevange 2nite! COYB!!

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runningout added 18:12 - Aug 9 Fab
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ParisBlue added 18:22 - Aug 9 Enjoyed listening to Butcher, Wark and Stockwell. Hopefully more ex-players become a regular part of this, and Milts is a good compare. Will be interesting how popular it is in January when pouring with rain. Presumably more tents will be put up.
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righty added 21:03 - Aug 9 Milne another idiot get out of our club all they want is take your money and give you nothing in return
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BarbelBoy added 12:53 - Aug 10 Phil, do you know why you cannot access the Fan Zone after entering the ground ? On Saturday I and several others went through the turnstiles and then went to the Fan Zone gate only to be turned away by the stewards who said they were not allowed to let us in once we'd entered the ground. So, this means that someone without a ticket can just enter the Fan Zone area and make use of the facilities. How does this affect the current policing issue ? Say a bunch of Norwich fans go into the Fan Zone and cause a disturbance. Will the police regard them as inside the ground (even though they wont have gone through a turnstile) and so not their responsibility or as the Fan Zone is open to the general public will it be their job to monitor it ? This could have obvious repercussions on the current issue before the courts.

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