The link between Town supporters and those of German side Fortuna Düsseldorf could lead to the clubs playing a pre-season friendly with the Bundesliga 2 side’s chairman welcoming the idea of a game between the two teams.

Around 120 fans of Fortuna attended the recent QPR game and have become regular visitors to Portman Road over the last decade.

Ulli Münsterberg, the organiser of the Fortuna Blues’ trips, was one of several fans — along with Fortuna legend Egon Köhnen — to be interviewed on BBC Radio Suffolk’s Life’s a Pitch during their most recent visit, an appearance they filmed (see below).

Fortuna chairman Peter Frymuth says he's big fan of the link between the fans: “Paul Jäger [director of finance] and myself have been watching the development of this friendship between football supporters for a good while and are impressed how Ulli Münsterberg managed to organise these trips to Ipswich with more than a hundred fans attending the last one.

“The example shows that not only financial or sportive success but also tradition can make for a friendly connection between football clubs and enthusiastic supporters can be excellent ambassadors for their football clubs."

Town have similarly backed the link between the two clubs' fans with the Fortuna Blues' recent visit warmly received: "Club, manager and players all thank the supporters of Fortuna. Welcome back any time!"

Ulli told TWTD that he has contacted the Blues in order to put officials at the two clubs in touch with one another: “As our club recognises what’s going on between both sets of fans and its positive effect and want to play a friendly, I have approached [Town club secretary] Sally Webb on behalf of the board of directors of Fortuna Düsseldorf.”

In his letter to Town, Ulli wrote: “Our club chairman Peter Frymuth and our director of finance Paul Jäger would like to send an official invitation to the managing directors of ITFC to figure out whether ITFC would be interested in a friendly match or other official club activities, [perhaps] an exchange for youth teams or U21 teams in the future.”

Whether the planned game would take place in Ipswich or Düsseldorf would form part of the proposed discussions between the clubs.

Photo: Action Images

alztar added 12:13 - Jan 28 Would love to see this happen!
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Essen_blue added 12:18 - Jan 28 I am an ex ITFC season ticket holder and now Fortuna season ticket holder. I would love to see a link between the clubs and a friendly.
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derbyblue04 added 12:32 - Jan 28 sounds like a great idea, good to have inks with a german club especially as they have a good reputation for producing talented players in germany
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Mark added 12:39 - Jan 28 Excellent. The teams could play every summer, one year home and one year away. Perhaps the fans could cheer if their team score and politely applaud if the opponents score - a real friendly match! :-)
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HarryfromBath added 12:47 - Jan 28 That video is a really good watch. Highly recommended. It would be great to see this game happen.
3

TractorCam added 12:47 - Jan 28 This would be brilliant, I watch quite a few Fortuna games on the PC, would love to go to and see a Fortuna - Ipswich match, hopefully something gets sorted
4

ThatMuhrenCross added 12:58 - Jan 28 I'd rather we had an agreement where we loan them our youngsters and get first refusal on their best players!
0

NITFC added 13:04 - Jan 28 What about a fans match earlier in the day as well?
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NSL added 13:18 - Jan 28 Maybe the repsective boards could trade some customer services tips as well. After all Fortuna charge around EUR15 for a ticket and average a gate of 45,000! Would actually love a trip to the 'Esprit Arena'. would certainly be a more exciting occasion, better atmpsphere and better beer!
7

petermorris added 13:19 - Jan 28 I met lots of these Fortuna chaps when we played Villa away in the Cup. A jolly nice bunch they were.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:32 - Jan 28 Absolutely brilliant idea. We will almost certainly never be a big-money club (and I for one wouldn't want us to be) but maybe we can carve out an identity as a club with a broad international friendship base. We've already made a fair start, but these links need to be encouraged.
4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:35 - Jan 28 ... How about selling some Fortuna stuff in Blue Planet and vice-versa? Maybe ITFC could organise German lessons? All ideas, however sane or mad should be worthy of consideration.
4

Taricco_Fan added 16:39 - Jan 28 Great idea. Make it happen.
3

TractorCam added 16:41 - Jan 28 ThatMuhrenCross - Considering Fortuna are as good of a club as us and were in the Bundesliga last season, that would not happen
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itfchorry added 17:22 - Jan 28 Road Trip !
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tearle1974 added 17:54 - Jan 28 As I was stewarding and looking after the fans at the QPR game I thought to myself we have to organise a trip to Fortuna. There fans were amazing and friendly and looking at there stadium I would lick my lips visiting there. In a matter of fact I would love to steward there for a season. However getting to the point of a friendly this would be the best idea than sliced bread. With all the banter of England & Germany it would be the ideal time for friendship forget the past of the world cup and the wars. This would be great to start and for the idea of player swaps and feeding it would be interesting especially with Germany bring in more youth in to football and it shows with how successful German clubs are in the champions league and internationals. Selling merchandise in the club shop would be great. Maybe do a half Ipswich half Fortuna shirt too. Ian Milne if you are reading get in touch and sort this idea out. It's about friendly family football and that is what this club needs.

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isitinthemiddle added 19:00 - Jan 28 Would love to see this happen. Got to say a big well done to people who committ and make the effort to organise such things. They deserve a friendly and it will show that the clubs are understanding what's going on with the fans.. Think this bond has a touch of class. ITFC fans amaze me... Many people recognise us for our supporters. The billy Sharp story is just another example of what class fans we have!!!

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