Sponsor's Day in Ipswich (11.11.06)

Members of the Ipswich Town North of England Supporters Branch met in Suffolk on a sunny Armistice Day morning to meet their sponsored Academy player for 2006/07 Jordan Rhodes.

The Sponsor's Day was kindly organised by the Academy Director and former Ipswich Town midfielder Simon Milton and included (i) a meet and greet with Jordan Rhodes at the Playford Road training ground, (ii) watching the Academy play Arsenal youth team in the U18s league, (iii) a stadium tour at Portman Road, and (iv) Ipswich Town v Sheffield Wednesday.

(i) The Meet & Greet

Pre-match anticipation: Some of the members of the ITFC North of England Branch chatting before kick-off.





Academy Director Simon Milton not afraid to get his hands dirty by making the tea for the sponsors. Note his discreet 'protection' in the form of Andrew Bosmans and Mick Scrivener.



Ian Hunneybell enters a trance prior to exchanging the world's largest pennant. Branch Secretary David Bull and Academy Director Simon Milton witness the event.



Below is a group photo of some of the Branch members with Academy striker Jordan Rhodes.



(ii) The Academy verses Arsenal U18s

Below are some photos of the match. The final result was a 2-1 away win for Arsenal.

The team sheet:



Russell Short looking to take a quick free-kick



Tony Boto on the move



Arsenal keeper Lee Butcher makes a catch



Arsenal's future back four practising the off-side rule



The Ipswich U18s prepare to defend a free-kick




(iii) The Stadium Tour

After the U18s game at Playford Road, it was off to Portman Road for a short tour of the stadium.

Portman Road - the home of Ipswich Town Football Club



Jon and Stephen in front of the North Stand



Sir Alf behind the North Stand



Hallway in the Britannia Stand



The boardroom table set for lunch



A section of the trophy cabinet



The two most succesful Ipswich Town (& England) managers - Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson balance out the boardroom sideboard nicely



The communications centre situated between the Churchmans and the Britannia Stand



The home team changing rooms two hours before kick-off



Simon Milton explaining the need for two sets of goals




(iv) ITFC v Sheffield Wednesday

Yet again, opponents of Ipswich Town are buoyed by the presence of a debutant manager (Brian Laws) and the Owls win the game 0-2.

Some photos of the game taken from Block I of the Britannia Stand







To conclude, an excellent day out.