Scott Loach insists the current Ipswich team can emulate the success of the last Town side to play in the Premier League.

George Burley’s team of 2000 won the Wembley play-off final against Barnsley and a year later, with the Blues finishing fifth in the top flight, he was crowned Manager of the Year.

Loach was a Town fan back then, sitting high in what is now the East of England Co-operative Stand to watch favourites like Richard Wright and Matt Holland put the club back on the map.

He even collected autographs, just like the young admirers who besieged him and his team-mates at Tuesday’s successful open day at Portman Road.

Loach said: “Wrighty and Matt Holland were the stand-out players to me along with David Johnson, who I see from time to time when I’m back in Nottingham.

“It was a good team back then and I think we’ve got everything in our make-up to be very similar if not even better. Obviously, the game changes a lot but there’s no reason why we can’t match those players and have the success that they had.

“I came in to Ipswich when I was eight and Wrighty was training so I watched him and then met him later. He was great to me and, while I’ve been lucky enough to train with people like Joe Hart and Ben Foster, actually going to the training ground and seeing Wrighty was all a bit surreal for me.

“This is a family club — it’s always been known for that — and while I’m here for myself I also want to give a little bit back as well. It was great to see so many supporters at the open day and it reminded me of when I was a young fan myself.”

Loach’s view that the present side could even surpass the achievements of Burley’s boys may cause a stir — but he stands by his comments.

He added: “I’m not just saying that to keep people happy. If somebody could put a camera in the changing room you would see how well we all get on together. There’s no little groups or anything.

“Everyone fights for each other and anyone who steps in can do it without breaking the mould. We all get on very well and we need to start putting that into our performances and building them up throughout the season.”

Photo: Action Images

megamoth added 06:43 - Aug 23 I really hope that we will get to hear comments like this from Jack Marriott one day soon. So disappointing that he's not even mentioned as a striking option when our chosen 4 are proving somewhat toothless. I'd like to see him ahead of at least one of Murphy or Nouble.
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FrimleyBlue added 06:44 - Aug 23 Erm. No
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BillBlue added 06:54 - Aug 23 Erm - very much yes Megamoth!
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PinstripeBlue added 07:38 - Aug 23 Boyhood heroes. I was thinking about Cooper, Mills, Burley, Beattie, Hunter, Wark, Muhren, Thijsen, Talbot, Mariner, Gates, Wark, Woods, Osbourne......... How old am I?
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dalianwasexciting added 07:58 - Aug 23 You have missed out one Mr Whymark........
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lojd added 08:14 - Aug 23 As much as he may like to think it, I don't think Loach can really think that this team is better than that team of 2000. Apart from Cresswell and maybe one of Smith or Chambers to play along side Mowbray, I couldn't see any others getting in that side. Don't forget we finished in the playoffs 4 years in a row before getting promoted!
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blrmy added 08:51 - Aug 23 @PinstripeBlue - about as old as me ;)
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MattinLondon added 09:41 - Aug 23 lojd Maybe Skuse on the bench. Burley had a few seasons to get it right and hopfully MM will get it right as well.
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BlueInBerks added 09:50 - Aug 23 The difference is if one of Woods, Burley or Mills pinged a ball into the box, you could feel reasonably confident it would clear the first man and the likes of Mariner or Talbot would out-jump their defenders and get a head to it. Quality we don not boast currently.
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battyblue added 11:47 - Aug 23 i would also like to see Jack Marriot on the bench young hungry with one objective scoring goals i see him above big frank but i don't think it will happen next thing he will be out on loan somewhere i fear
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