In the first of our Derby Day nostalgia series in the run up to Ipswich Town taking on Norwich City on Sunday, we look back to the Texaco Cup Final in 1973.

Ipswich Star: Texaco Cup final, Ipswich vs Norwich in May 1973Texaco Cup final, Ipswich vs Norwich in May 1973 (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Town 4 Norwich City 2 (on aggregate)

It’s all too easy to forget how big this was at the time. It came at the end of a season in which perennial strugglers Ipswich had confounded their critics by qualifying for the UEFA Cup after finishing fourth in the league.

It was the start of a great era, and the Texaco Cup provided solid silver evidence of exciting progress. Of course, the fact that Norwich were our opponents added extra spice!

Ipswich Star: The 1973 Texaco Cup two legged final ended in a clean sweep for Town, beating local rivals Norwich 2-1 in both gamesThe 1973 Texaco Cup two legged final ended in a clean sweep for Town, beating local rivals Norwich 2-1 in both games (Image: Archant)

The two legs of the final were played inside three days. Peter Morris scored twice at Portman Road, but a late Clive Payne goal for Norwich made it tight going into the Carrow Road leg.

We needn’t have worried – Norfolk boys Trevor Whymark and Clive Woods put Town out of sight. A late David Cross goal was irrelevant. Cue Mick Mills lifting the huge trophy!

Ipswich Star: Fierce local rivalry between Ipswich Town and Norwich was brought to a cup final in 1973 as they fought for the Texaco CupFierce local rivalry between Ipswich Town and Norwich was brought to a cup final in 1973 as they fought for the Texaco Cup (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The almost forgotten Texaco Cup was up for grabs in this fierce local rivalry between Town and Norwich CityThe almost forgotten Texaco Cup was up for grabs in this fierce local rivalry between Town and Norwich City (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Texaco Cup press reception, 1973Texaco Cup press reception, 1973 (Image: Archant)