The practice pitch at Portman Road is hosting a match in the newly re-named James Hehir Ipswich Interfirm Cup on Thursday night (KO 7.45pm). The competition has been renamed in honour of Ipswich Borough Council chief executive James Hehir, who died at the end of last year.
James was one of the competition's founders, teaming up with Martin Head, chief executive of the Suffolk Football Association, to re-launch the Ipswich Interfirm Cup last year, both men having played in the competition several years ago.
Thursday’s game, a second round tie between the Council and an Ipswich Town team, will be extra special as Sam Hehir, James’s son, will take the first kick.
Staff will be out with collection buckets and all funds raised will go to the British Heart Foundation and the ITFC Community Trust.
One of the organisers, Jonathan Stephenson, said: "We want to generate as much support as possible for this match and to raise a lot of money. James was passionate about local football and it is great that Sam will be with us to get the proceedings under way.
"We would like to thank Roy Keane and his colleagues at the club for letting us use the home and away teams’ dressing rooms at Portman Road.” Sam Hehir added: "I am looking forward to meeting the players and taking part in the event. My dad helped to found this tournament and scored a penalty in one of the finals so it means a lot to me. I hope it will generate a good crowd.” This year’s Interfirm Cup gives local organisations the opportunity to become the elite business football team in the area and takes place after a 10-year absence.