Town are asking supporters to arrive at Portman Road early for Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal with the match a complete sell-out. It’s Town’s first sell-out since the play-off semi-final against West Ham in May 2005.

The ground is unlikely to reach its capacity of 30,311 with some segregation likely to reduce the total slightly.

Turnstiles and stadium bars will be open from 6.30pm with the match kicking-off at 7.45pm. Arsenal will be backed by 4,500 travelling fans, with alcohol not be available to away supporters after kick-off.

Fans are warned that Portman Road may be inaccessible to home supporters for a short time after the match to allow the police to escort away supporters out of the Cobbold Stand. This may lead to some minor delays and restriction of movement around the ground.

Suffolk Constabulary are also appealing to fans of both clubs to enjoy the game but to behave respectfully and responsibly.

Superintendent David Skevington, who will be overseeing a policing operation involving almost 100 officers from Suffolk Constabulary and the British Transport Police, says: "We hope that people celebrate the match sensibly and in the right spirit. We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, violence, racial chanting, mindless vandalism or any alcohol fuelled disorder.

“We will continue our use of firm but fair policing to ensure the safety of those attending the game and those members of the public wishing to go about their normal business."

Town say there will be no facility for autograph hunters after the match.

Photo: Action Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:37 - Jan 11 That's more like it! Some of our ITFC members will also be there. Sing your heart out for the lads and at least give the A** a game!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 18:40 - Jan 11 we need to play like Creepy Crawley did last night, "get into em and $%&£ em up!"
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Mark added 18:41 - Jan 11 Great to have a sell out! Let's hope we can put on a good display and convince a some of the people coming just because it is Arsenal to support Ipswich more regularly. Come on everyone, let's get behind Paul Jewell. Hey Mr. Clegg, how about some ticket promotions to celebrate Jewell's appointment and get a few new fans into the stadium. Let's stop the attendance decline!! I put £5 on 2-0, as that's the sort of score Ipswich need to take to the Emirates and stand a chance. 84/1 it was. :-D

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trulyblue added 18:47 - Jan 11 Oh great...... The 10,000 Town supporters will have 20,000 'fans' mixed amongst us just to watch the away team !
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hucks216 added 18:56 - Jan 11 Where were all these 'supporters' at the Northampton or WBA games?
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itfc1981 added 19:19 - Jan 11 21,000 tickets were sold to town fans before they went on general sale.
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blueoff added 19:24 - Jan 11 Be nice for arsenal fans to hear what a crowd sounds like
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bluethroughnthrough added 20:12 - Jan 11 to be honest blueoff, it would be nice for us ipswich fans to hear what a crowd is meant to sound like...
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Garv added 20:13 - Jan 11 What about normal vandalism?
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billericayblue added 20:39 - Jan 11 this forum makes me laugh. "Where were the real supporters at WMA and Northampton" ... do me a favour - so many people on this site have a misplaced sense of self importance. What makes a true supporter exactly?? - someone that goes to all of the games - because either they have no family, real job, family - and take their anger out on the players by booing and getting on there case at the slightest mistake or a supporter that gets to the games that they can, and fully gets behind the team when they do go? I for one don't live in Ipswich - and I am unlikely to make a 2 hour round trip + 90 min game every other weekend to watch Ipswich get beaten by Preston NE whilst being subjected to listening to such a negative, un-educated bunch of supporters. The problem with this club runs much deeper than the players and the ex manager - the so called "fans" should take some responsibility themselves - and until they do - and get a grip - I will happily follow the team from a far. Tomorrow I will be watching the game from the comfort of my sofa - and will probably get a more educated well rounded opinion about football from my wife.

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riley26 added 20:52 - Jan 11 I agree with 'billericayblue's sentiment. In the case of people that never show any interest in the Club, don't even claim to be a fan when times are hard and then suddenly decide they are a Ipswich fan once we are in the Premiership or are facing Arsenal in the Cup as is the case - This frustrates me as much as people who are glory hunters who support top 4 teams for no apparent reason. Although as stated by 'billericay' we can't all be expected to make every game. I manage to get to 9 or 10 home games a season if and when I can afford it. I didn't go to any of the previous Cup games and it doesn't look like I'll be going tomorrow. I'd rather save my money so I can watch the team under new management against Doncaster next week. That game is far more important to me than watching Arsenal.

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kipper added 21:16 - Jan 11 Garv Thanks for that cannot remember the last time a comment on here made me laugh as much. You're not Paul Jewell in disguise are you ?
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Lightningboy added 21:28 - Jan 11 Shame Jewell wasn't brought in at least a month ago..would've stood more of a chance of causing an upset (at home anyhow)...who knows - stranger things have happened?! Good luck lads.
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TotalBlue added 21:44 - Jan 11 Well said billericayblue. I would lovw to be there tomorrow night but sadly I am 120 mile away in folkestone the guys have my 100% support and the pub I have my evening meal in has been told tommorow night its sky sports 2 or I will burn the place down lol Anyone in Folkestone tomorow night I will be in the Park Inn not the best of places but its being painted blue tomorrow night.... One issue I have and its not at ipswich but the fa/league we was only allowed 3000 tickets for Stanford Bridge a bigger stadium so whY??? do we have to give the losing semi finalists 4500 tickets.

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ITFC1985 added 22:01 - Jan 11 Surely a large portion of this "sell out" won't have been to a game this season......
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KenDubZ added 22:08 - Jan 11 Yeah Boi some atmosphere ?? thats not a swear word is it ??
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ElvisMariner added 22:16 - Jan 11 Great to have a sell out for a change - Lets get behind the boys - you never know what might happen ! COYB
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HuntingdonBlue added 22:40 - Jan 11 They were only selling tickets to fans already on the ITFC database to try and combat the local Arsenal fan, I know it would stop it completely but at least everyone will have had to have been to a town game before... COYB!!
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NW5Tractor added 22:47 - Jan 11 to those opposed to part time 'fans' increasing the attendance, isn't this a great time to attract potentially life long town fans with an impressive performance?? i have booked 14 tickets for this game, we are normally a group of 4, but friends and family who have heard me rant about my beloved ipswich want to come and see what it's all about. if the result is them coming more often is this not a bonus? lets use this as a chance to increase our ipswich family and fanbase! we should applaud everyone who has got a ticket not slate them! UTT

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bigfish added 23:05 - Jan 11 Good old armchair fans nice to see you at PR,
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 23:19 - Jan 11 Billericayblue: very well said! Maybe for once we could all get behind the lads (attending the game or not) and stop trying to point score with irrelevant "armchair" accusations. Many Ipswich fans live abroad for goodness sake. Does that make them any less passionate about our beloved club?! COYB!
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readtheleaguetable added 23:28 - Jan 11 I live abroad, but I'm watching on Setanta Ireland down at the pub. With a bunch of Arsenal fans. Does this make me a true fan or an armchair fan ? And does the Chief Constable's warning apply to me, or can I deck one of my "mates" if we lose ?
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Marcus added 00:48 - Jan 12 It doesn't matter if they're first time or irregular supporters. Let's hope there's enough happening on the pitch to get them to come to more games in the future - get the bums on seats, improve the atmosphere and move the club forwards!
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south_aussie_blue added 01:01 - Jan 12 Town fans will be tuning in all around the world......to each and everyone of you going - make us proud so that in 10 years time you can say.....I was there that night.
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I_8_NARWICH added 01:18 - Jan 12 It will be nice to see a full portman road again but it does anoy me when we get 17,000 for the league matches (where it really matters) and are now gunner fill it just because a bigger team (who will probably play there youth side) are coming here would be nice just to see a few of them turn up for the games which actually mean something to the future of the club, not some glamour tie against Arsenal. LOYAL SUPPORTERS!!!

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