.
SUFFOLK PUNCH , CHICKENS, GOATS, SHEEP, WHIPPETS and RATS?

Peter Gilbert. 30.8.00

10 Things to know about IPSWICH TOWN CITY FC

i) The soccer club was formed in 1878 and was called Ipswich AFC, not to be confused with a Rugby club called Ipswich FC who played at Portman Road at the time
ii) In 1911 a stand roof blew of one night The army took up residence and stayed until 1920 when Town returned. Whippet racing was tried for a time, while Mr Walter Woollard the groundsman kept sheep, goats and chickens in the stand
iii) They have won: the FA Cup in 1978. Div 1 1962. UEFA Cup 1981. Texaco Cup 1973
iv) One game in 1926 had to be halted after the appearance of rats caused havoc amongst the fans. To add to the Farm like atmosphere a cattle market opened across Portman Road. No wonder rival fans take the mickey out of their rural heritage.
v) Their manager George Burley played 390 times for them.
vi) One of their players, Matt Holland, played 4,135 minutes for the last season and was not booked once.
vii) Their goal keeper, Richard Wright, kept 18 clean sheets last season.
viii) They are the only team in English football with a horse on their badge, The Suffolk Punch.
ix) They recently bought two players from their nearest '˜Top Flight' team - Ajax.
x) They have provided us with the most successful two England managers to date - Sir Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson.

So far so good we've played three games . In the first we were mediocre and got a point, in the second we battled away and won, in the third we played well but missed chances and drew.
In this fixture if we can play well , battle and improve our finishing we can win this game. If only we'd won the last one, we'd be top of the league by now.
Ipswich have suffered heartbreak in the play offs in the past but this year they finally got to The Premiership and who would deny them their moment of glory?
They have made an excellent start, lost 1, drawn 1(Man Utd) and won 1.
They have an articulate intelligent manager. They have potentially great goal keeper. They have in David Johnson an unproven yet exciting striker. They have in Jim Magilton a potential hero. They have highly rated youngsters. They have an excited fan base. They have everything - if you let them, and there is the key -¦if you let them.
We have got to deploy all of our match winning credentials in games like this and go out there and demand the points. We are the more proven commodity and a game like this could be just the platform we are looking for at the moment to launch our season in line with our aspirations.
If we are going to have a Top 5 finish which many of us crave then games like this must be won.



Last Match City Player Analysis

Flowers Did well, all that he had to do.
Rowett: Did well, was smooth, reliable and unflappable, just like James Bond.
Elliott: Obviously frustrated at times, he really wanted to win.
Taggert: Another good game.
Impey: Needs to go up a gear.
Savage: Another typical 'Savage' performance, playing even better since arrival of PT.
Lennon: Slowly getting back to his best, got tired and was subbed off.
Izzett: Getting there, still not 'on fire' .
Akinbiyi: Played very well, did all that was asked except score, which is what he's there for.
Eadie: Good shooting, always lively and troublesome.
Guppy: His team mates are showing some frustration with him, he still lacks confidence.
.
Subs:
Cottee: Could have come on earlier, looked lively enough.


No horsing around and we'll win it !!!!!!!!!!