CALLING all Ipswich fans mapping their routes to West London - don't forget to stop off at the Evening Star offices before Saturday.

BLUE Army Ipswich Town fans gearing up for the biggest match of the season got a double boost today - thanks to The Evening Star.

A 6,000-strong armada of True Blues will leave Suffolk for the capital on Saturday as Jim Magilton's team take on the Premiership giants, Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round. As a special present from us to the most loyal fans anywhere, we have THREE free treats to help The Blue Army on its way.

For fans in the coaches and cars which will head down the A12 on Saturday morning - as well as the fans heading into London by train - we have two free posters and free balloons.

THE POSTERS

There are two to choose from - you can have both if you so desire. They are COME ON YOU TRUES BLUES! and BRIDGE TOO FAR FOR CHELSEA.

THE BALLOONS

We have hundreds of free balloons to give the Town boys a rip-roaring welcome as they come on to the Stamford Bridge pitch. Jim Magilton's side will need their loyal fans to be a 12th and possibly even a 13th man if they are to pull off a shock result against the Premiership millionaires of West London.

Today, tomorrow and Friday we will be giving away thousands of free balloons and billboard posters to ensure our boys get the reception they deserve when they emerge from the tunnel alongside John Terry and co.

They are available at The Star's offices in Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, from today and are expected to vanish fast.

Evening Start editor Nigel Pickover, who will join the hoardes in London, said: “We want Jim's boys to feel like heroes all the way - and the fans will be at the vanguard of the campaign. We'd like to see posters in every car, window and on each of the supporters' buses.

“When the players emerge from the tunnel, they will look to the famous Shed End and see an army of 6,000 True Blues underneath a sea of blue and white balloons.” If Town fans can out-sing Moneybags Abramovich and his prawn sandwich brigade in their back yard, they will truly inspire their heroes - and leave Chelsea's pampered stars wondering what they are in for.

The Shed End is traditionally the epicentre of the Stamford Bridge atmosphere, but on Saturday it will be a different set of fans making all the noise.

Chelsea's stadium has been quieter since some of their louder fans got priced out of the game, but has completely sold out of tickets for the Cup clash on Saturday. Southend have already achieved a draw at Stamford Bridge this year, losing the home replay, but now Ipswich have the chance to go one further and take a prized “top four” scalp.

Tube disruption on Saturday means Ipswich Town fans heading to Stamford Bridge will have to take a different route.

The District Line will be closed from Earls Court to Whitechapel meaning those travelling by train from Ipswich to Liverpool Street will need to take the Central Line to Notting Hill Gate and then go southbound on the District Line on the Edgware Road branch, which is unaffected by the closure.

Are you going to the Bridge? Write or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk