Pat Godbold, who worked for nine Town managers, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Suffolk.
Godbold joined the club in 1954 as then-boss Scott Duncan’s secretary and went on to work for every subsequent manager - Sir Alf Ramsey, Jackie Milburn, Bill McGarry, Sir Bobby Robson, Bobby Ferguson, John Duncan and John Lyall - until retiring from full-time work when George Burley was the man in the hotseat in 1997.
Born in 1935, she continues to work at the club as archivist and is involved in the organisation of the annual ex-players’ dinner.
Godbold, who the FA awarded a medal for 50 years' loyal service to football in 2004, said of her doctorate: "I am amazed, very pleased and honoured. I was brought up in Ipswich on a council estate and left a Secondary Modern School [Nacton Road] with no qualifications. I am humbled.
"I have enjoyed my career at Ipswich Town Football Club and worked for, and with, some lovely people. I would like to wish those graduating, a happy and successful future.”
Blues legends Mick Mills and Bryan Hamilton, ex-Town chairman David Sheepshanks and former secretary David Rose were in attendance at today's graduation along with members of Godbold's family.
Mills told the club site: "I’m very proud of Pat today. She took a job all those years ago that possibly, in her eyes, wasn’t going to be a very attractive job but then it became more than a job. In many respects, it was like head of a family and that is the role she took on.
"She worked for some very famous managers, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson. She was there many, many years and literally took over looking after the young players that came to the club.
"She won’t mind me saying that she made the most of an ordinary job and made it very special.”
Hamilton added: "I’ve known Pat for many years, a very long time, nearly 50 years.
"She has been an amazing lady at the football club and certainly an amazing lady for the players.
"She loves the club and she likes to help people. She has been like a second mum to us all. I am absolutely thrilled for her, to be recognised in this way - for the work she’s done.”