Blues fans' Brighton weekend
HUNDREDS of Town fans are hoping to travel to Brighton this weekend to soak up the atmosphere of the crucial clash.But many supporters will be left disappointed as the ticket allocation permits less than 1,000 away fans into the ground.
HUNDREDS of Town fans are hoping to travel to Brighton this weekend to soak up the atmosphere of the crucial clash.
But many supporters will be left disappointed as the ticket allocation permits less than 1,000 away fans into the ground.
Just 700 tickets are thought to be available to Town fans who are hoping to see the Blues smash their way into automatic promotion to the Premier League on Sunday.
Some may travel to the south coast in the hope of securing a match day ticket while others may visit the seaside resort just to soak up the atmosphere should Ipswich secure Premiership status.
With Brighton also needing a point from the game to guarantee they stay in the Championship next season most fans would expect a buzzing atmosphere at Withdean.
But Rowan Dore of the Brighton Argus said there is unlikely to be the electricity expected.
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He said: "The atmosphere is really bad. It's an athletics stadium and you are a long way from the pitch.
"It is the only ground in the league with a running track around it and there is only one covered stand. The away supporters will be in an open stand and they will get soaked if it rains."
Those hanging around the ground in the hope of finding a ticket will also have little to do if they fail in their quest as Withdean is a suburb of Brighton and there is little there.
Instead Mr Dore recommended that those without tickets to the game find one of Brighton's array of bars and tune into the match on the radio.
He added: "There is more bars and restaurants in Brighton than anywhere per mile.
"The fans can hang around the bars on the seafront and listen and join in the celebrations - a lot come into the city centre afterwards.
"I recommend they make a weekend of it. It doesn't take that long to get to Brighton and there's plenty of things to do.
"You can stroll on the pier, we have top West End shows, cinemas and a Sea Life Centre."
And for those not keen on football there are plenty of other things on in Brighton over the weekend from the Brighton Horse Driving Trials in Stanmer Park to a Festival of Family Fun at Hove Lawns.
There is also a Children's Parade in the city centre and a vintage motorcycle event at Hove Lawns.
n. Are you unable to get one of the coveted tickets to Brighton? Where will you be watching one of the most tense matches of the season? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
