The photographs, memorabilia and memories of Town supporters will take pride of place in a major exhibition at the second PhotoEast photography festival in May this year, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Blues’ 1978 FA Cup win.
The ITFC People’s History project, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players through a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant, will explore the significance of the 1978 FA Cup win for supporters, then and now, and celebrate the important and continuing role of the football club in the heritage, social and cultural life of the town.
Suffolk-born Town supporter and renowned photographer Julian Germain will work closely with the ITFC Heritage Society, personal archives and fans to draw together a compelling body of work exploring football’s place in creating a sense of community, identity and belonging.
Town fans are being asked to contribute towards the project by sharing photographs and memorabilia from the heady days of 1978, which Germain will then photograph for the exhibition.
Thrilled to hear Roger Osborne will be at the Dove this Monday evening to share his memories of the 1978 Cup Final. Bring your photographs from the 1978 Cup Run to be part of the PhotoEast #ITFC exhibition The People's History https://t.co/arFPwnBEV8
— PhotoEast (@PhotoEastUK) April 6, 2018
They are invited to come along and share their memories and their thoughts on what it means to belong to the Blues with Germain and club representatives on Monday 9th April at the Dove Street Inn. Two sessions are taking place from 2pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm.
The resulting exhibition will be held at Quay Place during the 2018 PhotoEast festival (24th May-24th June). Julian will also present the work at the Dance East, Jerwood Dance House, Foundry Lane on Sunday 27th May at 3pm.
Elizabeth Edwards from Ipswich Town Heritage Society says: "The FA Cup win in 1978 was one of the highlights of my life, and it is great now to be celebrating the 40th anniversary by involving Town fans in this great project.
"As well as the exhibition, we will be making use of the outputs of the project for many years to come, in our work with elderly people, those living with dementia and other community groups.”
Anyone unable to come to the Dove event but wanting to contribute to the project can email itfcheritage@gmail.com or fa_cup78@btinternet.com.
PhotoEast is a Framlingham-based arts organisation working to establish Suffolk as a centre for excellence in photography, bringing together artists and practitioners from in and outside the region and providing a platform for celebrating and producing photography.