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

Back_The_Boss added 07:13 - Jan 12 Nice to see the "fair weather" supporters come out in force. COYB!
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big_gaz67 added 07:33 - Jan 12 I 8 Narwich - Gunner fill it - if you meant or didn't mean that priceless. Tonight will be the only game I miss this season as I am working in Birmingham! Gutted...
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froudy added 08:04 - Jan 12 We must be one of the only clubs in the country where we get a sell-out for the first time in 7 years, and half of the fans still moan. For goodness' sake, get a grip some of you.
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Brazilian added 08:12 - Jan 12 I will watch from my sofa and not be ripped of by petrol,parking,programme and admission.
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tractorlowrie added 10:02 - Jan 12 Oh dear.. So now those supporters that moaned and booed Keane are turning on 'fair weather' fans because Keane has gone and they need something to moan about! Like the one the other day that said he would like us to go to league one so just the 'real' fans would be there. I think these people have self worth issues personally.. Yes it would be great to have a packed Portman Road every week but some people in the town aren't massive supporters and would just like to go along when a team like Arsenal are in town and that would happen at any club. But at least if we get them through the door it will create a better atmosphere, put money into the club and maybe a few might get the bug (or affliction!) and come every week. Now I live in scotland due to work commitments and don't go to as many matches as I would like (mostly away matches in the north of England) and so I suppose my views won't count to some of you as I don't have a season ticket.. But I suggest you put your superior attititude and self importance to one side and concentrate on getting behind the team and creating an atmosphere to be proud of at Portman Road tonight.. Wish I could be there, Scottish football is sh**e!

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brogansnose added 10:03 - Jan 12 In a way i can understand fans only coming out for a big game because at times under Keane its been like waterboarding at Guantanamo Bay.
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TimmyH added 10:20 - Jan 12 I wonder if it is really a sell-out! when Ipswich were in the Premiership (2001-2) season and played the likes of Man Utd and Inter Milan and told likewise they were sell-outs only to see the attendance below 30,000 - isn't our capacity near 32,000?
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Paulc added 11:19 - Jan 12 You people who criticise the influx of 'fair weather' and 'armchair' fans for tonight's game should wind their necks in. By their reckoning I fit into this category - But here's a fact- I had a season ticket in 91/92 season when we won the old 2nd div to go to the newly formed Prem league. When we got relegated in 95 just 3,500 season tickets were sold for the 95/96 season I continued with my season ticket until 2000 when i had to give it up as i had to move for work reasons, sod's law dictated that happened just as we were promoted again and there were 27,000 applicants for season tickets (that's some jump for 3,500 5 years prior). I am now back in Ipswich but do not go to many games because I work away a lot and i now have a young family. I do get to the odd away game that ties in with me being away with work. Am I any less a loyal supporter? Think before you make sweeping statements and enjoy the atmosphere tonight without me.

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Moscow_Blue added 12:20 - Jan 12 Brazilian - ripped off by parking? - you have got to be kidding. Ipswich is far and away the cheapest ground to park at that I have been to in years. Portman Road car park - 2 quid for an evening game and 1.60 or 2.40 for a Saturday afternoon. I regularly pay a minimum of 5 quid at away games.
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BlueVelvet added 12:27 - Jan 12 Where were all these 'fans' when we played Northants and WBA - hope they realise that its not just a turn up and watch the Arsenal players and bench and take loads of photos for the album - its about shouting and singing ya heart out do it, or don't bother turning up again
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BlueVelvet added 12:35 - Jan 12 Brazilian and Paulc - clearly my remarks don't apply to you, you're not even going to turn up, so you're even worse than the carnival brigade - at least they'll be contributing to club coffers
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BlueVelvet added 12:52 - Jan 12 Oh by the way Carnival brigade, Ipswich will be the team playing in the mainly blue outfit (normally called strip) and there will be an interval after 45 mins or so when you can go out and buy stuff (different to the cinema these days where there's no interval, but you can get hot dogs and chips), oh, and also, as the game starts don't be afraid, whilst the lights in the stands are turned off, they leave the big ones on (unlike at home where you probably turn the lights off in your HDMI - 3D Home Entertainment Suite before snuggling down to a re-run of Come Dine with me or Cash in the Attic)!!

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Edinburgh_Blue added 13:31 - Jan 12 tractorlowrie I couldn't have put it better myself - well said. No more moaning please. Just get behind the boys. Now is the time for everyone to be positive.
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NITFC added 14:02 - Jan 12 I have no problem with the 10,000 "new fans" that will be there tonight to boost the gate and atmosphere...........as long as they all come to the Doncatser match next Saturday as well
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billericayblue added 17:07 - Jan 12 Perfect post to prove everyone's point. BlueVelvet, you are a prime example of the uneducated self righteous idiots that this forum has been discussing - so well done! You should feel very pleased with yourself that you have a job that allows you to go to all of the games (but probably doesn't pay very much). A life that affords you to go to every game (which must be very lonely) and a misguided sense of grandeur to believe that this actually makes you a more superior being than the rest of us.

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Paulc added 17:37 - Jan 12 Billericayblue - you could put it like that or you could simply say that Bluevelvent - you're comments make you sound a bit thick really! Oh and by the way I will be at the Doncaster game next sat along with Derby and Doncaster away, that's providing i'm up to date with dancing on Ice!
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