Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town’s Championship win of 1961/62 was one the greatest shocks in the history of professional football in England. No one could have conceived of how a small-town club would break into the top division of English football and take the Championship trophy at their very first attempt, a feat never achieved before or since. This is the story of that season in a match-by-match account set against the background of the news stories of the day. Also included is an analysis of the players, the team tactics and the manager Alf Ramsey, plus a statistical breakdown of the season.

Ipswich Town’s Championship win of 1961/62 was one the greatest shocks in the history of professional football in England. No one could have conceived of how a small-town club would break into the top division of English football and take the Championship trophy at their very first attempt, a feat never achieved before or since. This is the story of that season in a match-by-match account set against the background of the news stories of the day. Also included is an analysis of the players, the team tactics and the manager Alf Ramsey, plus a statistical breakdown of the season.

In 1960, Ipswich Town FC under manager Alf Ramsey started their season in the Second Division. At the end of the 1960–61 season Ipswich were promoted as champions immediately and went on to win the First Division in their first year in the top division. Ipswich Town had embarked on the most extraordinary two decades in its history. Alf Ramsey left soon after to become England manager and after a few years in the doldrums, the appointment of Bobby Robson as manager in 1969 inaugurated another period of greatness for the club. In 1973–74, Ipswich finished fourth in the League. Over the next eight years Town went on to win the FA Cup, only finished below sixth in the League once, and won the UEFA Cup. Throughout this era the club were guided by the local Cobbold family’s chairmanship. In 1982, Bobby Robson departed to become England manager and although the club has had some successes since then, nothing at Portman Road has rivalled the glory days of Ipswich Town from 1960 to 1982, an era fondly remembered by fans of the club.

In 1960, Ipswich Town FC under manager Alf Ramsey started their season in the Second Division. At the end of the 1960–61 season Ipswich were promoted as champions immediately and went on to win the First Division in their first year in the top division. Ipswich Town had embarked on the most extraordinary two decades in its history. Alf Ramsey left soon after to become England manager and after a few years in the doldrums, the appointment of Bobby Robson as manager in 1969 inaugurated another period of greatness for the club. In 1973–74, Ipswich finished fourth in the League. Over the next eight years Town went on to win the FA Cup, only finished below sixth in the League once, and won the UEFA Cup. Throughout this era the club were guided by the local Cobbold family’s chairmanship. In 1982, Bobby Robson departed to become England manager and although the club has had some successes since then, nothing at Portman Road has rivalled the glory days of Ipswich Town from 1960 to 1982, an era fondly remembered by fans of the club.