Ipswich Town Football Club: A Brief History

The Early Professional Years - 1936-1955

Ipswich Town didn’t turn professional until 1936, some 58 years after the club was formed. The decision was controversial and the support of Capt. J M (Ivan) Cobbold was crucial. Town joined the Southern League in 1936, and the Football League (Third Division South) just two years later, in 1938. After a long break during World War Two, the League restarted in 1946. We were promoted in 1953/54, but relegated the next season and manager Scott Duncan left the club.

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“On my return from Canada today, I am delighted to hear that the question of a professional football side for Ipswich has come to a head.
For many years I have been convinced that a town the size and importance of Ipswich must have professional football and it is distressing for supporters of football to have to go to London or Norwich to see a match.”

Letter from Capt. J M Cobbold, published in the Evening Star newspaper on 24^th April 1936

The Ramsey Years - 1955-1963

Alf Ramsey had been a top right-back, at Southampton and Tottenham, and had won 32 England caps, but he had no managerial experience when he joined Town in 1955. We were promoted back to the Second Division (1957), consolidated, and then won promotion to the top flight for the first time in our history, as champions, in 1961. Astonishingly, we then won the First Division the very next year, 1962. The FA soon came calling, and Alf – later Sir Alf – became England’s most successful manager.

“I had never been at such a cauldron as White Hart Lane that night, never ever had I experienced such an atmosphere and whilst we on the terraces were so exhilarated, our boys on the pitch were performing miracles.  This great Spurs team, Jimmy Greaves and all, were being led a merry dance. 

Goals from Phillips (2) and Crawford, with a solitary reply from Jimmy Greaves gave our Ipswich club their most famous victory of all time.” 

Town fan, John Finch, recalling the March night we beat double-winners Spurs

The post-Ramsey Years - 1963- 1969

Newcastle United legend Jackie Milburn took over from Alf Ramsey towards the end of the 1962/63 season - it was a difficult time as we struggled to 17^th place.

We were relegated in 1963/64, and a terrible start back in the Second Division saw Milburn resign due to health issues. He was replaced by Bill McGarry, who steered us to 5^th place. Under McGarry, we rebuilt and were promoted back into the First Division in 1968, but by November, we were struggling. The ambitious McGarry resigned, joining Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“Jackie Milburn was not a success as a manager, but he did leave a lasting legacy, as he set up the ITFC Academy, who played in the Mercia Youth League (Eastern Counties League). Under Bill McGarry, we played hard, aggressive football, but it worked as he got us promoted in 1968. He left us for Wolves, as he thought they had more potential – we brought Bobby Robson to the club, and proved McGarry wrong!”

Martin Stiff, renowned local referee and football fan

The Robson Years - 1969-1982

Bobby Robson took over as Town manager in 1969. He was young and unproven when he joined. Over the years the team became increasingly successful, including wins in the FA Youth Cup in 1973 and 1975, semi-finalists in the 1975 FA Cup, and regular European football, before lifting the FA Cup in 1978. The 1980/81 season was so nearly the most disappointing in our history. The team were runners-up in the League, had been knocked out of the FA Cup in the semi-final, but went on to win the UEFA Cup.

“Football was cemented for me as my first love and yet ruined for me by the Robson years! After a decade of seeing Town sides consistently competing at the highest level, I believed that this was the norm. In reality, the era summed up the tribulations of the typical football fan; ever-growing expectations, coming up short, but those unforgettable seasons of 1978 and – in the end – 1981. Nevertheless, I was hooked, and would move to the town to wait for those days to return.”

Stephen Doe, Town fan and previous Chair of the Supporters Club

The post-Robson Years 1982-1992

The FA came calling once again, and Bobby Robson (later, Sir Bobby) left to manage England in 1982. He was succeeded at Ipswich by his assistant, Bobby Ferguson, but we were relegated in 1985/86. Ferguson left after we failed to be promoted the next year. John Duncan took over in 1987, but he also couldn’t get us promoted, and was succeeded by John Lyall in 1990. Under Lyall, we turned a corner and were promoted into the inaugural Premier League in 1991/92.

“Following Town’s relegation in 1986, under Robson’s former head coach Bobby Ferguson and a disappointing spell under replacement John Duncan, 1990 saw the appointment of John Lyall. Popular with players and fans alike, Lyall steered the club back to the Premier League as champions in 1991/92, following a 1-1 draw in the final away game at Oxford. Gavin Johnson scored the equaliser after an opener from Oxford’s Jim Magilton, who was later to become hugely influential at Ipswich under George Burley.”

Graham Blackburn, lifelong Town fan

The Premier League Years - 1992-2002

We couldn’t establish ourselves in the Premier League, and George Burley replaced Lyall in December 1994. His teams were defined by attractive football and saw 4th, 5th and 3rd place finishes in 1997-1999, but unsuccessful in the play-offs. Then, in 2000, our 3rd place was backed up with an unforgettable 4-2 play-off final win v Barnsley at Wembley. Favourites to be relegated, Town instead finished in a fabulous 5th place, and secured UEFA Cup football once again. Sadly, we could not maintain the momentum, and were relegated in 2001/02.

=“1997-2001 are probably the most memorable years. Three consecutive play-off failures preceded the enormous relief, joy, drama and excitement of the 2000 play-off semi-final, where we beat Bolton 5-3 after extra time at Portman Road. Nothing can match that game. It was followed by a great match at Wembley against Barnsley. To finish 5^th in the Premier League the very next season, qualify for Europe and play at the San Siro – that was dreamland.”

Sandra Cuningham, Town fan who once had the North Stand named after her!

The Championship Years 2002-2019

George Burley was succeeded by Joe Royle in October 2002, and Royle came close to winning promotion, but financial problems hit our competitiveness. Jim Magilton took over in 2006, and the club was taken over by businessman Marcus Evans in late 2007. Roy Keane was appointed as manager at the end of the 2008/09 season, followed by Paul Jewell (January 2011), Mick McCarthy (November 2012), Paul Hurst (summer 2018) and then Paul Lambert (October 2018). There was a good spell under McCarthy, but his successors couldn’t lift the club, and we were relegated in last place in 2018/19.

“Although seen as lean years by many, this was the period when I first bought a season ticket. In that time, I experienced European football, three play-off campaigns, an amazing FA Youth Cup Final win (in 2005) plus a win against Arsenal in the home leg of a League Cup semi-final. I witnessed the academy continue to produce players for the first team, I saw stands renamed in honour of our greatest managers and Sir Bobby’s statue being unveiled. I loved every minute, despite the disappointments.”

James Hacker, passionate town fan

Back to Tier 3 - 2019- The Present Day

Back in the third tier in 2019 for the first time since 1956/57, we finished 11th in 2019/20 in a season truncated by the Covid pandemic. Paul Lambert was replaced by Paul Cook in March 2021 - he took us to 9th, but couldn’t take us beyond midtable. Marcus Evans sold the club to Gamechanger 20, representing investors from the USA in April 2021. In December 2021, the club hired the second-youngest manager in our history, Kieran McKenna, whose positive football attracted our highest average league crowds since 2007/08.