Hundreds of hardy Ipswich Town fans travel to Portsmouth for FA Cup replay
Town manager Mick McCarthy gives instruction from the touchline during the Ipswich Town V Portsmouth match at Portman Road, Ipswich, on January 9, 2016. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Freezing temperatures and a 300-mile round trip will not stop the loyal Blue Army supporting Ipswich Town in the FA Cup tonight.
Around 800 fans are due to travel to Fratton Park to watch the third-round replay against Portsmouth, despite a number of key first team players missing.
Ipswich Star/EADT columnist and town fan, Karl Fuller, said: “I think it’s a phenomenal effort that the fans - who probably know what they are letting themselves in for - are still travelling down there on a cold January night to see not too many first team players play.
“Ipswich Town have been stuck in the Championship for 14 years and have not seen a lot of glory in that time, so to still back the team in these numbers shows how tremendous Ipswich fans are.”
Town manager Mick McCarthy is predicted to pick a young side for the game, with Luke Chambers, Christophe Berra and Cole Skuse all out following a tough match against Preston on Saturday.
Mr Fuller said McCarthy was in a no-win situation because his priority had to be the league and the up coming game against Birmingham this weekend.
“I think everyone is looking at a Portsmouth win because they are the home team and doing well in the league, but it wouldn’t surprise me if we went down there and nicked a victory,” Mr Fuller added.
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“The last six away games we have seen 12,000 fans travel, and taking into the account the time of year around Christmas, it’s just a brilliant effort and if we do win tonight it will be for those fans.”
