If you had told me five years ago that the town I was born in, and the football club I have supported all my life, would be celebrating another promotion to the Premier League, I would have laughed.
But thanks to Kieran McKenna and his side, that is exactly what Ipswich Town fans have been able to enjoy once again, a return to the top flight that, not so long ago, felt almost unimaginable.
As a season ticket holder since 2010, days like this once felt a long way off.
Yet here we are, celebrating three promotions in four years. It is a remarkable achievement, not just for the club, but for the town as a whole.
Each promotion has brought with it a noticeable lift.
Businesses see an increase in footfall, pubs take in more trade despite rising costs, and both football and non-football fans find a reason to come together and celebrate.
Saturday was a perfect example of that.
Visitors to Ipswich would have seen the town at its very best, streets filled with people, strangers talking like old friends, and venues packed to capacity. There was a real sense of unity and pride.
It is incredible what this football club does for the community.
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Even compared to the promotion secured against Huddersfield two years ago, this felt bigger.
The town seemed busier, louder, and better prepared. Pubs and off-licences appeared ready for the demand, a marked contrast to last time, when some struggled to keep up.
A key part of what makes these celebrations so special is the connection between the players and the supporters.
This is a group who could easily head elsewhere to celebrate, but instead they stay in Ipswich, visiting local venues, taking photos, and sharing the moment with fans.
That presence adds something extra. It brings the celebrations closer to the community and helps create an atmosphere that feels unique to this club.
Simply walking through town on Saturday afternoon was a joy. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, laughing and soaking it all in.
It is an atmosphere that is hard to replicate; even major events, such as Ed Sheeran’s concerts at Portman Road, do not quite capture the same feeling.
Then came Bank Holiday Monday and the bus parade.
I did what I did last time, starting at Portman Road before making my way towards the town centre, catching the parade again near Tower Ramparts and eventually heading into Christchurch Park.
As expected, Portman Road was packed. Flags, flares, scarves and shirts were everywhere, all showing support for the players and staff who have delivered such an incredible season.
Along the route, supporters lined the streets in huge numbers. It was a powerful reminder of the scale of this football club and its place within the town.
Credit must also go to Ipswich Borough Council for how smoothly the weekend was managed.
After the celebrations on Saturday, the town centre was left littered with bottles and cans, but by Sunday morning, clean-up crews had worked quickly to restore order.
By Monday, preparations for the parade were clearly in place. Barriers and fencing were set up early, helping to improve safety and organisation compared to previous events.
Christchurch Park, too, felt more like a fully planned event this time. Food and drink stalls, big screens, fencing and sound systems were all put in place at short notice, following confirmation of promotion just days earlier.
All of it combined to create a weekend that will live long in the memory.
For Ipswich Town supporters, this is something many would have hoped to experience once.
To have lived it three times in such a short space of time feels truly special and perhaps still a little surreal.
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