The Admiral kits from the 1970s and 1980s hold a special place in the hearts of those of us of a certain age. Despite being basic by today’s standards, they were truly beautiful. In my opinion, they are the greatest kits of all time—perhaps only rivalled by Ipswich Town’s original Pioneer shirt. Admiral had been … Read more
Written on Sunday, July 11th, 2021, at 5:00 PM In just a few hours, England will face Italy in the final of the Euro 2020 Championships. If you’re reading this from the future, you should know that the world had been through a rough patch since late 2019, making tonight feel even more surreal. Naturally, … Read more
While some describe the World Cup as the greatest sporting spectacle on Earth, I found myself disconnected from the 2010 tournament. The usual optimism—Rooney to win the Golden Boot, John Terry to behave himself, and England to finally lift the trophy—never quite sparked into reality. A sense of familiarity. That was the overriding emotion. Another … Read more
Author’s Note (2025):This article was originally written in 2002, long before the findings of the 2016 Hillsborough inquests, which ultimately ruled that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed due to gross negligence by the police and emergency services. The post reflects my thoughts at the time, shaped by public sentiment, media coverage, and the limited … Read more
Written in 2018 As supporters of Ipswich Town, we’re no strangers to the lows. In fact, we probably endure them more than most. That’s why we savour our moments of success longer than fans of other clubs—perhaps only Liverpool fans cling to the past more tightly. Some will say our greatest achievement came just 17 … Read more
This article was originally written in 2012, shortly after Mick McCarthy took charge of Ipswich Town Football Club. As a lifelong supporter of Ipswich Town, I have seen the club at its peak—during the late 1970s and early 1980s under the stewardship of the legendary Sir Bobby Robson. Those were our golden years, crowned with … Read more
Written just before the 2011/2012 FA cup final with refreshed stats added in May 2025 As a child, FA Cup Final day wasn’t just a football match—it was a national event. The entire day was a ritual. From early morning to evening, we were glued to the television, flipping between Grandstand and World of Sport. … Read more
First published 2009 on the Suffolk Sports Forum | Rewritten May 2025 by Verso Hark now hear the Ipswich sing,Norwich ran away,And we will fight forevermore,Because of Boxing Day. Still sung with pride (or irritation) at Portman Road and Carrow Road, this terrace chant captures the spirit of one of English football’s fiercest local rivalries—Ipswich … Read more
The campaign started with a match against Greece’s Aris Salonika. We emerged victorious, with a score of 5-1, thanks to Sir John Wark’s impressive performance – he netted four (three of which were penalties). I distinctly recall the referee booking Mariner for kicking the ball over the stand. It’s just as well we didn’t have … Read more
First published on The Suffolk Sports Forum, August 7th 2010 Is Supporting Your Local Football Club Outdated? Is supporting your local football club now considered an outdated idea? It certainly feels like that at times. There was a time when most fans naturally supported the nearest team to home. Loyalty was tribal, passed down from … Read more