x

Help Wanted Finding Memorabilia From Town's Amateur Era - Ipswich Town News

A Town fan is asking fellow Blues to help with locating and sharing any original items from the club's amateur days as part of an ongoing research project.

Many Town followers will be aware that the current club was formed as an amateur side back in 1878 - nearly 150 years ago - before turning professional in 1936 and joining the Football League two years later. 

The picture above shows the Town side from 1912, wearing stripes, winning 2-1 against Haverhill Rovers in the Suffolk Senior Cup final at Portman Road.

Now James Ager, a lifelong Blues supporter and long-time TWTD contributor, is appealing not only to fellow collectors of ITFC memorabilia, but also to fans and local families alike, who may still hold treasured items from their own relatives days of either playing for - or supporting - Town, prior to the club turning professional.

He told TWTD: "I have spent a considerable amount of time researching the amateur years of our great club, and I have built up a fair collection of items from that era. These include some match programmes, fixture cards, club handbooks, season tickets, cup winners medals, and original team photographs/postcards. 

"While understandably rare, I'm sure there are more of these sorts of items out there from pre-1936.

"I'm not necessarily looking to add to my own collection but I am keen to understand what other items have survived all these years, and to potentially include scans or photos of them in a research project that I'm currently working on.

"I am grateful for some significant contributions from a few Town fans already and I've also been in touch with some surviving relatives of a few of the club's founding members.

"But if you have anything that you think might be of interest or if you know somebody who does, please do get in touch.”

James can be contacted via email at itfcjames@yahoo.com.

What to read next:

Forest Eyeing Davis
TWTD understands Nottingham Forest are again keeping tabs on Blues left-back Leif Davis.
Taylor: We're in Good Stead For Next Season
Town midfielder Jack Taylor has dismissed suggestions that confidence is an issue within the playing squad, the Blues having won just one of their last 18 Premier League matches.
Emmanuel-Thomas Admits Drugs Smuggling Charges
Ex-Blues forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a plot to smuggle class B drugs into the UK.
Yeovil Announce Match for Marcus
Yeovil Town have announced a Match for Marcus, a friendly celebrating the career of Marcus Stewart against Bristol Rovers at Huish Park on Saturday 19th July, and are inviting fans of the striker’s other former clubs to attend.
Ogbene Overwhelmed to Win Community Award
Blues winger Chieo Ogbene admitted he was overwhelmed to be named the club’s PFA Community Champion at Monday’s End-of-Season Dinner at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall.
Agbaje Leaving Town
Young defender Edwin Agbaje is set to leave the Blues in the summer with his contract coming to an end.
Davis: We'll Deal With the Added Pressure in the Championship
Town defender Leif Davis believes increased expectation levels will ramp up the pressure on the Blues as they return to the Championship next season.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Harrop: Looking Back, I Should Never Have Joined Ipswich
Former Blues loanee Josh Harrop has admitted he should never have joined Town for his spell in the second half of 2020/21 having failed a medical due to an ongoing injury from which his career never recovered.
Compton Scholar of the Year
Academy central midfielder Charlie Compton has been named Town’s Premier League Scholar of the Year.