There is clearly a buzz about Ipswich Town now, understandably.
Last weekend’s results mean they’re just two points off Plymouth and the second automatic promotion place to the Championship.
I look forward to my next trip to Portman Road!
However, Ipswich Town aren’t the only football club in Ipswich. There are many others I appreciate. But I have one particular club in mind, Ipswich Wanderers FC, based at the “The Doucy” on Humber Doucy Lane. The second club of the Town.
They have an interesting location, the entrance to the ground is within the Ipswich constituency, but the pitch is actually in Therese Coffey’s constituency (Suffolk Coastal).
I remember once I tried to get involved with helping to find funds for their new club house, but I couldn’t because we were told it was outside the constituency. I remember there being lots of confusion.
Anyway, for all intents and purposes, it’s in Ipswich. And the vast majority of the people I meet there when I go for games are constituents. So, I’ve taken an active interest in the club.
When I first started taking an interest, they were in Eastern Counties Division One South. Last year they won the league and are now in the Eastern Counties Premier Division. Not only that, but they are in an intense battle to secure back-to-back promotions.
They currently lie second in the league, four points behind Thetford, and are hosting them next Saturday (25 March, 3pm).
If Wanderers were to secure back-to-back promotions, my understanding is that it would take them to the Isthmian League, which is level 7-8 in the football pyramid. All of a sudden, the National League could come into focus!
I apologise if I’ve got some of these details wrong, the non-league football system can sometimes feel like a bit of a labyrinth. But I certainly know enough to know they’re doing incredibly well and the players and leadership team alongside all the staff deserve a huge pat on the back.
The last game I went to was last Saturday, where I was able to see Wanderers defeat Mildenhall 5-0.
Before this, I actually went to see them away from home against Ely City, a club I competed for myself at an under 9 level as a kid. Wanderers won that one comfortably as well.
I must admit I’ve only just got used to going to non-league games. If you haven’t tried it you should. It’s an altogether much more relaxing experience.
Affordable, you just turn up, you can have a beer when you’re watching the game, and you can freely move around and watch the game from different vantage points.
An interesting fact that I was unaware of until I went to the Wanderers vs Mildenhall game, is that the famous goalkeeper Nick Pope’s brother Josh Pope plays for Mildenhall in goal.
But he wasn’t playing as he was suspended the same week his brother was suspended whilst playing against Liverpool!
Funnily enough, I went to school with both of them. Josh was in the year above and Nick a few years below. Their mum taught me Geography and PE. The whole family are Ipswich Town fans.
So overall, an unusual column for me, free from politics. But I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve seen at Ipswich Wanderers.
Our grass roots sports and non-league football teams do play an important role in our community, and please if you haven’t been before, pay a visit to the Doucy and give them your support.
They’ve got a lovely new club house where you can go before, after, and at halftime.
There are two clubs in Ipswich chasing promotion this year. Fingers crossed they both succeed!
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