Intro

The inspiration for this blog is the 2002 book “A Season With Verona” by Tim Parks who follows the fortunes of Italian club Hellas Verona at every home and away game as they struggle to survive in “Serie A” during the 2001-02 season.  

There are two things that you can’t change in life, your family or your football team! In my case it’s Ipswich Town. I have been going to Portman Road since the early 1970’s, there have been periods when I have missed matches or even whole seasons for various reasons, money, commitment disillusion etc.

I had a season ticket along with my two son’s Sam and Max for several seasons until they outgrew me and wanted to do their own thing, this co-incided with Town going into administration and Joe Royles last season at the club so I just went to the odd game under Jim Magilton including his last game in charge a 3-2 victory over Norwich which all but relegated them!

Then we appointed Roy Keane who was going to take us to the promised land- “trust me”! In fairness he rekindled my interest and when the club extended the early bird season ticket offer and I was tempted,  but it took my wife Sharon to say “come on I’ll have a ticket with you” to finally commit! Having grown up on the terraces in the 70’s and 80’s I had this chauvinistic attitude to women and football which has changed with the rebuilding and modernisation of Football Stadiums (they use to be grounds!),  so we’ll have two please!

Two poor seasons later Roy Keane has gone and Paul Jewell is now in the chair with seven new signings as of today and with more on the way?

I have always wanted to go to every game, home and away in a season, it’s not going to happen this season but I do have a few away trips planned starting with the first game of the season at Bristol City.

Blue Army.