TRACTOR BOYS REAP HARVEST FROM MILLERS

Yesterday was Match Day and I was surrounded by supporters of the great game in Suffolk. It's grand and the North Sea is gently lapping against a sandy shore. Today's spectator possibilities are enormous amongst the local leagues but it is to Portman Road that we are heading as I choose to ignore Beccles FC or AFC Southwold.

I played at Portman Road once! Wait for it...it was the Surrey Football Coaches' Association annual trip to the club, an invitation from Bobby Robson, the Association's president (earned from his early days at Fulham FC). We had a guided tour, chat from his coaches and then a match against the "staff" on the main pitch. No pros allowed of course.
Yesterday I met a talented musician, Mark Blatchly, who is a Tractor Boy Fan; he loves Ipswich Town FC and is concerned over their present form.

Rotherham United, the Millers, were visiting from the New York Stadium. Their Stadium name comes from the local district in Rotherham where iron foundries forged the fire hydrants you may see knocked over and spouting in car chases in gangster films.
The two clubs first met as late as August 1954 in Division Two and the Millers won 3-2.

Ipswich AFC was formed in 1878 and then became Ipswich Town FC following an amalgamation with Ipswich Rugby Club in 1888. The club turned professional in 1936 having gone through the various local and regional leagues. In 1938 on May 30th the club joined Division 3 North and won promotion to Division 2 in 1951.

This season on August 8th Rotherham won in South Yorkshire 1-0. Since 1954 Ipswich have won 14 times, drawn 8 and lost 9 meetings.

Ipswich were managed by Alf Ramsey in August 1955 and he transformed the club to win the First Division Championship (old top division) in 1961-2. Ramsey was called to manage England prior to the 1966 World Cup and Jackie Milburn inherited the squad! It went downhill a bit from there.

Paul Warne, Rotherham manager, is Norwich born which adds a bit of spice to the dual.

Well the game was a mixture of rubbish football and very exciting drama. The Blues scored their goal through Will Keane, on loan from Hull, after 31 minutes. Keane a product of Manchester United's academy was born in Stockport, the birthplace of Fred Perry; as one great tennis player reaches the local news, one leaves- so farewell Andy Murray.

Manage the game was the cry but as the minutes ticked past, Ipswich fell back into their final third as Rotherham laid on the pressure. It was actually a very exciting final period as Ipswich defended as though their lives were at stake and Rotherham tried many attacking ploys to no avail. It lacked class from both sides and for me, debut senior, James Collins was the difference. A much needed defender and MOM for me.
Ipswich had 53% of the possession and 3 shots, (in the whole 95 minutes) one on target. The Millers had 18 on target/2 on target and 4 corners to 1. The 18 attempts on goal were probably part of several six yard box bagatelles, where Ipswich defended a though it was the Alamo.
So 3 points gained...some hope for the future??
Since 1902 Ipswich have played local rivals Norwich City 139 times.

In 1961 Rotherham lost over two legs to Aston Villa in the first Football League Cup Final, losing to a Peter McFarland goal in extra time having been 2-0 up after the first leg at the old Millmoor.