Ipswich invited to turn blue ahead of season climax

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to get behind their football team's final promotion push by turning the town into a canvas of blue and white.

After Tuesday's draw at Southampton, Ipswich Town will be automatically promoted back to the Premier League if they secure a victory over QPR at Portman Road on Saturday, or other results go their way if they draw or lose.

The Town Behind the Team campaign is urging locals to nail their colours to the mast and publicly back the Tractor Boys.

Mark Ashton, Ipswich Town chairman and chief executive, said seeing the town adopt the team's colours would "mean a great deal" to the club and players.

"The connection between the club and the town is incredibly special, and campaigns like this show exactly what Ipswich Town means to the wider community," he said.

The campaign — a collaboration between the club and the Ipswich Central business group — is designed to bring the town together at this "defining moment" of the season.

Currently second in the Championship, if Ipswich fail to win, they will need Millwall to drop points at home to Oxford and Middlesbrough to fail to win at Wrexham.

But it is hoped that seeing the support for the team on the final day build through the town may give the players the extra little boost they might need to get the job done.

From Friday, artist Louise Cobbold's player portrait series will begin appearing across Ipswich, with the full collection displayed in shop windows, businesses and other venues.

Banners will also be displayed from the Town Hall, featuring player portraits and a rallying cry, while blue banners will be installed outside the empty former Debenhams building.

Shopfronts, venues and businesses are also being invited to get involved, by putting up posters and decorating their buildings — and staff — in blue and white.

Lee Walker, chief executive of Ipswich Central, said: "This is about making sure the team can see, feel and hear the town behind them.

"Ipswich Town's success is something that reaches well beyond Portman Road and this is a moment for Ipswich to be proud, visible and united.

"This is a simple but powerful way to show our support and remind everyone Ipswich Town is not just a football club — it is part of the identity and energy of the place."

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