Testimonial man Fabian Wilnis has commissioned a new Town song as a thank-you to the club and its supporters. The Dutchman has asked Blues-supporting singer-songwriter Asa Jennings to pen the tune.
The defender, who recently retired from professional football following a swansong season with Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic, asked North Stand season ticket holder Jennings to write and record Let's Go To Town after hearing a performance at one of his testimonial events.
Wilnis told TWTD he sees the song as a parting gift to the fans who backed him during his 10 years at Portman Road: "We asked Asa to write a new ITFC song and it's our pleasure to give ITFC and their fans a thank you present for their support during last decade.
"We thought Asa with his true blue heart and talent was the right person to write this new song and it would be nice if this would become the new ITFC anthem.
"All the profits will go into the Ipswich Town Community Trust and hopefully a lot of copies will be sold and the money can go back to the local community.â€Â
The song, which we understand will receive support from the club, is in the process of being recorded and will go on sale at Fabian's testimonial match against Colchester United at Portman Road on 25th July.
Let's Go To Town makes reference to the Blues' greatest players and accomplishments from the early sixties to current times and will even feature a number of Town legends. In addition to Wilnis himself, the likes of Kevin Beattie and Jason Dozzell are expected to feature on the chorus, while players from the current side have been invited to join them.
Asa told TWTD that he hopes the song will catch fans' imaginations: "Fabian felt that many clubs he had played against have their own anthems which really get the crowd going and thought that Ipswich hadn't recently produced anything to compete.
"We also discussed the fact that not many clubs have their own goal celebration music, so we came up with the idea for me to write a track in tribute to the history of the club, as well as including a catchy chorus along the lines of Tom Hark and Chelsea Dagger but being individual to the club.
"We hope that fans will respond well and get behind it and that it can be a fitting tribute from a great guy and great club servant, who really does appreciate the support that we gave him during his time here.â€Â
Jennings's debut album My Own Worst Enemy was self-funded in 2007 and went on to sell in 30 countries, leading to national newspaper coverage, radio airplay and more recently a debut television performance.
Last season he wrote Call Upon The Beat, which was inspired by Blues great Kevin Beattie and was played at Portman Road, which was another factor in Wilnis's decision to give the responsibility to the lifelong Town fan. You can hear a clip of Call Upon The Beat here, while you can hear more of Asa's songs on his website http://www.asajennings.com.
Details of how to purchase Let's Go To Town will be released shortly and Asa is also hoping to shoot a documentary of the recording of the song, which will be available to view once the song is released.
Tickets to the Town-Colchester pre-season friendly are now on sale from the club. The game will feature a half-time mini-match involving former Blues players including Darren Currie, Gary Croft, John McGreal, Kevin Horlock, Jason Dozzell, Sylvain Legwinski, Simon Milton and Hermann Hreidarsson. Further details on Fab's testimonial website: http://www.fab10.co.uk .