R's on the Road To.......... Ipswich Town.

On Tuesday night Rangers’ hit the road once more to fellow early season high flyers Ipswich Town.
In recent years the R’s haven’t enjoyed the trip to East Anglia but now that nemesis Jon Stead has moved to Bristol City could this finally be the year that we chalk up an overdue win at Portman Road?



Club History.

The club was founded in 1878 but did not turn professional until 1936, and was subsequently elected to join the Football League in 1938. They play their home games at Portman Road in Ipswich. The only fully professional football club in Suffolk, they have a long-standing and fierce rivalry with Norwich City in Norfolk, with whom they have contested the East Anglian Derby 138 times since 1902.
Ipswich won the English league title once, in 1961–62, and have been runners-up twice in 1980–81 and 1981–82. They won the FA Cup in 1977–78, and the UEFA Cup in 1980–81.


The Stadium.

Current capacity – 30,300



Ipswich have been at home at Portman Road since 1884 and in recent years The North and South stands undergone a £22 million development and were open in 2001 and 2002 respectively.
There are two statues of the clubs most famous managers, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson.
Away fans are housed in the upper tier of the Cobbold Stand on the of the pitch. If you are sat anywhere between the front and the middle of the stand then you should enjoy a pretty good view of proceedings but if you are at the back then you may have your view obstructed by a few supporting pillars.

The History between the teams.

At Ipswich (34)

Ipswich 17
QPR 7
Draw 10

Rangers’ haven’t won a competitive match against Ipswich since 2005 in the opening game of the 2005/06 season. The last success at Portman Road was the season before when the R’s run out 2-0 victors courtesy of goals from Paul Furlong and Dan Shittu.



How to get there.

By Car: - The postcode for Portman Road is IP1 2DA.
Leave the M25 at junction 28 and follow the A12 for 50 miles and after junction 27 you will reach a roundabout, take the second exit and join the A1214. After two miles take a right at the traffic lights and join the A137 which is signalled ‘Cliff Quay and Football Ground’. From here you are one mile away from the ground and just need to find somewhere to park your car.
There are parking facilities around the ground which cost anything between £3.50 and £5.

By Train: - The station is only a quarter of a mile away from the ground. You will see the ground as you arrive at the station and will be easily able to find your way to our destination.


Pubs 'n' Grub.

Drinking establishments for away fans very limited. The Station Hotel, which is near to the ground and train station, is where most visiting supporters will congregate. Otherwise the Punch & Judy pub on Cardinal Park, which is close to the ground has also been recommended to me as a pub which is family orientated and where both sets of fans can enjoy a drink. Pubs to avoid are the Victoria, Hare + Hounds and the Swan.

Food on offer inside the ground include; Rollover Hot Dogs (£3), Various Pies, including the Chicken Balti Pie (£2.60), Pasties (£3) and Jumbo Sausage Rolls (£2.60).