Ipswich Town Football Club are the only professional side to be based in Suffolk. Their nearest rivals are Norfolk's Norwich City, with whom they contest the East Anglian derby. The club was founded in 1878, merging with Ipswich Rugby Club in 1888. Ipswich turned professional in 1936 and were elected to the football league two years later in 1938. Their home games are played at Portman Road in Ipswich town centre. Their rural surroundings give rise to their nickname: the Tractor Boys.
Ipswich's most fruitful period of success came in the late 1970s and early 80s, although their only football league title to date came in the 1961-62 season. They were league runners up in 1981 and 1982, winning the UEFA Cup (today the Europa League) in 1981, the club's greatest triumph. Under the management of the great Sir Bobby Robson, they won the 1978 FA Cup too, beating Arsenal in the final. Ipswich were also managed by England's World Cup winning manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, who joined the England national side upon leaving the club. |