CLAIMS TO FAME IPSWICH

1 GOING VIRAL

The first football website of any kind? An Ipswich Town one, of course. In the 1990- 91 campaign, before dial- up had launched or the newfangled ‘ internet’ was a thing, supporter Phil Clarke used his gig at BT to update a single prototype page with results. It boomed, and soon he had curious Scandinavians joining his mailing list in droves.

2 SLY VICTORIES Escape to Victory

featured an array of Town stars, such as John Wark, Kevin O’callaghan, Russell Osman, Robin Turner and Laurie Sivell. Two more, Kevin Beattie and Paul Cooper, relieved Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone when Proper Football Men were required, with Beattie winning $ 100 off Stallone in an arm- wrestle. Rocky? Twaddle.

3 FORTRESS PORTMAN

Ipswich’s biggest claim is that they’ve never been beaten at home in UEFA European competition. It’s not some poxy sample, either: the 1981 UEFA Cup champions won 25 of their 31 games at Portman Road between 1962 and 2002, including victories against Milan, Real Madrid, Lazio, Barcelona, Roma and Inter.

4 JOB SECURITY

The club was formed in 1878... but didn’t sack a manager for 112 years. John Duncan was the first recipient of a P45 in 1990, though his noted predecessors ( including Sirs Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson) were often long- serving – not least namesake Scott Duncan, who spent 18 years in charge either side of serving in the Second World War.

5 SIX OF THE BEST

Their 9- 0 defeat to Manchester United in 1995 remains infamous; less so is Ipswich’s 6- 0 routing of the Reds from 1980. Robson’s men racked up the goals in a 3rd vs 2nd clash where Gary Bailey even saved a trio of Town penalties – although one of them was a retake. Sadly, it didn’t inspire a title tilt: the Tractor Boys still came third, behind United.