Playmaker Frans Thijssen will be returning to Ipswich to mark the 30th anniversary of Ipswich Town's famous Uefa Cup victory

ipswich: One of the architects of Ipswich Town’s march to Uefa Cup glory in 1981 is to return to Suffolk to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Blues’ triumph.

Midfielder Frans Thijssen was a key member of the team which overcame AZ Alkmaar in the two-legged final after a thrilling European campaign.

The Dutch playmaker will join his former team mates at Ipswich Town Hall on May 30 for a reunion – UEFA 30 – to mark the achievement.

A number of other stars from Sir Bobby Robson’s cup-winning squad have also confirmed their attendance at the gala dinner, including George Burley, Paul Cooper, Russell Osman, Eric Gates and John Wark.

Organiser and Blues fan Austen Dack said he was thrilled Thijssen would be at the celebration.

“I’m delighted that Frans is taking time out to come to England for this event,” he said. “Frans was a key part of the side which won the trophy and I am sure supporters would love to attend a gala dinner just yards away from one of their all-time heroes.”

Thijssen, 59, joined Ipswich in 1979 from Dutch club FC Twente and, two years later, was voted Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.

If you wish to join Frans and the rest of the 1981 heroes on May 30, there are still a few tables available.

Contact Austen Dack by calling 07863 123929 or by 
e-mailing austendack@aol.com. Tickets for the gala dinner evening are £100 plus VAT and can be bought in tables of ten or in pairs for smaller groups. Tables will be issued on a strictly first come, first served basis.

In the coming weeks special tickets will become available for supporters to watch the player interviews and the entertainment after the gala dinner from the auditorium with tickets priced at just £30. These will be available from the Regent Box office.

n What are your memories of Town’s UEFA Cup glory? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.