Joe's First Anniversary - Ipswich Town News

Today is the first anniversary of Joe Royle becoming Town manager, the Blues' boss signing his contract at Portman Road on October 27th last year before being paraded at a press conference a day later.

Royle, 54, has always said that this will be his final job in football and signed a two-and-a-half year deal which will take him to the end of 2004/05.

Last season, despite the imposition of a transfer embargo due to the club's period of administration, he took the Blues to seventh in the play-offs. After a tricky start Town now find themselves in the same position at just over the one-third stage of 2003/04.

Royle's overall record with Town in his first year is played 56, won 27, lost 16 and drawn 13.

After a mixed reception to his appointment and a demonstration from some fans at the Gillingham game a few days previously, the former Manchester City, Oldham and Everton boss has now won over the vast majority of Town followers.

The current TWTD front page poll shows that 88.9% of supporters feel Royle is doing either an excellent or good job at Portman Road.

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