Club News

🔎 The Opposition: Ipswich Town

12th August

This Tuesday, August 14, the Grecians open their Carabao Cup campaign against Ipswich Town in the second home game of the season.

Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect from the Blues.

About Ipswich Town

Founded: 1878
Stadium: Portman Road
Nickname: The Blues, The Tractor Boys

Ipswich Town were formed in 1878 and play at Portman Road and are the only professional football club in Suffolk. The club's traditional home colours are blue shirts and white shorts.

The Tractor Boys currently play in the Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in the 2001–02 season.

The club did not turn professional until 1936, and was subsequently elected to join the Football League in 1938.

Ipswich have won the English league title once, in their first season in the top flight in 1961/62, and have twice finished runners-up, in 1980/81 and 1981/82.

The Blues won the FA Cup in 1977/78, and the UEFA Cup in 1980/81. They have competed in the top two tiers of English football since 1957/58.

The Manager

Paul Hurst
As of May 2018, the Blues have been led by ex-Rotherham defender and 2017/18 League One manager-of-the-year Paul Hurst. Hurst arrived in Ipswich after managing an impressive transformation at Shrewsbury, taking them from being at high risk of relegation at the start of the season to finish second in League One, their highest league finish in 27 years.

Hurst also has an impressive track record of promotions, having achieved them at non-league clubs Ilkeston Town and Boston as well as helping Grimsby return to League Two. His last game as Grimsby Town boss was a 0-0 draw at St James Park.

Recent Form

Championship side Ipswich had a mixed pre-season, losing 2-0 to non-league Braintree Town and 2-1 to West Ham, but beating MK Dons, Barnet and Crawley Town all 1-0.

They started the season with a 2-2 draw at home to newly promoted Blackburn Rovers, and followed that up with a late 1-0 loss to newly-promoted Rotherham.

Ones to watch

Gwion Edwards
Edwards joined Ipswich from Peterborough in July, and started off well in his pre-season debut against Crawley, displaying impressive pace. Edwards made 33 appearances in the 2017/18 season, scoring an seven goals, suggesting he’ll be a valuable signing for Ipswich this season.

Ellis Harrison
Highly rated Ellis Harrison joined the Blues on a two-year deal from Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The forward is a Wales U21 international and he netted 14 times in all competitions for the Gas in the 2017/18 season, including a brace in a 6-0 win over Northampton.

Previous Encounter

The Grecians last faced the Blues in the Carabao Cup back in August 2010 in a dramatic match that ended with Ipswich winning 3-2 in the ninth minute of extra time following an equaliser for City from Ryan Harley in the last ten minutes.

The return of the Blues may be especially poignant for some City fans, as our last encounter with them was also the day City legend Adam Stansfield lost his battle with cancer, following a four-year career with the Grecians that spanned an impressive 142 appearances and 37 goals.