The New Wolsey Theatre is still after stories relating to Town’s 1978 FA Cup win for their Our Blue Heaven musical marking the 40th anniversary of the Blues’ triumph at Wembley which will be staged in the spring of 2018. The Ipswich Town Supporters Club is co-ordinating the collection of these reminiscences, which will also be used as part of the ITFC Heritage Project.

The Wolsey want to hear from those caught up in the events of 1978, from the third round victory at Cardiff in January to the final in May, as well as the euphoria of the victory parade.

Stories that are funny or quirky, coincidences and twists of fate, the scramble for tickets, the making of banners, trips to Bristol, Millwall or Highbury for the semi-final or even if you weren’t a supporter but somehow got caught up in the events.

Director Peter Rowe said: “A moment when Ipswich united to celebrate success as the underdog became victorious.

“New Wolsey Theatre are working to commemorate this anniversary by producing a brand new musical production that will utilise stories and memories of the people of Ipswich and Suffolk at the time.

“The production is planned to open at the theatre exactly 40 years on from the win and will really be a show drawn from the local community, for the local community!

“But, this production can only happen with your support. Be a part of the fire that sets to ignite the town in celebration again 40 years on from Ipswich Town’s historic FA Cup victory.”

To find out more visit the Our Blue Heaven website, their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter via @OurBlueHeaven78.

Send your stories directly to the club, including your phone contact details, to fa_cup78@btinternet.com using the subject line ‘FA Cup Memory’.

Alternatively, you can contact the Supporters Club by visiting their website. Use the same subject line ‘FA Cup Memory’ to submit. You can also post your entries, including your phone and email contact details, to Elizabeth Edwards, Ipswich Town Supporters Club, Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA

It’s recommended that you keep your memories to a maximum of 500 words and feel free to submit photos or images to support your story. Your details will be shared with the New Wolsey Theatre so they may contact you about your memories for the event.

Photo: Action Images

Seasider added 15:59 - May 31 Afraid as it is now 40 years almost since this happened,the intricate details are fading from my memory,although it was a super day for all of us lucky enough to go to Wembley. Peter Rowe says about igniting the town in celebration again 40 years on;not sure he is referring to the FA Cup,but if we are still under McCarthy's management,cant see that happening as he treats this competition with disdain,in the same way that he treats the supporters.The invisible man is no better. What a sorry state this club is now in with Evans doing the opposite of Huddersfield,by putting up ticket prices,never showing his face in public(their Chairman is a supporter),and continuing to employ a Dinosaur of a Manager,instead of a younger man,possibly from Europe like Wagner who has got Huddersfield up in his first full season,into the top division for the first time in 45 years!

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NBVJohn added 18:03 - May 31 Sadly, memories are just about all we have left. What a fantastic day. On the Sunday, the day after I also remember standing on the central reservation of Civic Drive just a bit further down from the Wolsey to see the open top bus come up from PR. There were thousands there. Just before the bus came up, an old boy cycled up Civic Drive, and was cheered all the way by the crowd. He enjoyed it so much that he went back down the other side too, and all the way round Greyfriars roundabout and back up again, waving like royalty as he went. Just brilliant. Milne has just made sure that his anyone of that age group now is priced out of a season ticket. It's not hard to see why the community doesn't really identify with the club anymore. That's the saddest part for me. The club was integral to the town, not a corporate entity with no affinity for anything but a balance sheet. Just shameful.

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Paddy39 added 08:02 - Jun 1 It was a great day I could never forget. I had promised my wife should Town ever get to wembley then I would take her. On that day I was on the Allied Forces Day Parade in West Berlin and my wife was in our married quarter in Munster West Germany as it was then. I hasten to add I was probably the only soldier with an ear piece in his ear and a radio in my pocket. I would still like that chance to take her to wembley should Town ever get there. What about a cup run this year Mick?

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harlingblue added 02:30 - Jun 4 My greatest football memory of this time, was not the win at Wembley, that came later, but the 3-1 win against WBA in the semi final at Highbury. Time and time again we had lost in a FA Cup quarter or semi final during those wonderful Robson years, when a trip to Wembley was really special, when that 3rd goal went in, that was my greatest football moment. Finally we had made it to what in those days was the hallowed turf. This feeling should be a big part of The Musical. As for The Final, the mazy runs of Woods, Mariner leading the line with aplomb, Arsenal woodwork hit 3 times, twice by Johnie in the box Wark, MacDonald totally shackled by 'eggs and bacon' and a local hero Osborne scoring the goal to win the game. This was during a time that we had a great Manager, a small squad that played every game unless injured, no mass changes, a competitive Combination (Reserve) League that kept squad players on their toes regardless of age.

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