On a European Journey: With Ipswich Town in Europe 1962-2002

It’s 40 years since Ipswich Town’s UEFA Cup triumph, a cup run that saw them having to beat no less than three champions-elect to lift the trophy in Amsterdam’s Olympic stadium. In this, the definitive account (to date!) of Town’s European games, the authors take you through the seasons: From Alf Ramsey’s Champions playing in the European Cup, through the Bobby Robson era and the UEFA Cup triumph in Amsterdam, to the George Burley Premiership team, and the ‘bonus’ season in Europe ending under Joe Royle. Every tie is summarised and most are well illustrated, with photos of action on the pitch, memorabilia, and the fans on location. As the club’s appointed travel agents, the Houseley brothers were handed a huge responsibility for smooth organisation, and seeing off any trouble at a time of widespread football hooliganism. The Ipswich fans, however, were a credit to club and country and took their good behaviour and good humour as a badge of honour, something greatly appreciated by the club’s directors and owners, manager Sir Bobby Robson and the players. The memories these trips produced are priceless: ships, planes, trains and coaches were chartered as thousands of fans made the journeys to some of the finest cities in Europe, to see their team come up against some of Europe’s most famous names. Coach and manager Bobby Ferguson wrote the Foreword and then gives his assessment of the players of 1980-81 team. There are accounts from fans, stewards and club officials, journalists, and the brothers themselves. The Travel Card scheme for fans devised by David and Philip was ahead of its time: it was taken up by other clubs, Dennis Howell’s working party appointed by the prime minister, and finally by the FA as the England Travel Club.