They may only be, for the moment at least, a two-man army.

But with endless cheering and chanting, these two diehard Ipswich Town fans hope their bid to make more noise at Portman Road will lift the spirits of their team and fellow fans.

Max Helm and Rich Townend have followed the Tractor Boys through thick and thin over the years, cheering them on even in their club’s darkest hours.

Never has that been truer than this year, with the difficult fall-out from Mick McCarthy’s exit as manager and the tricky start to the 2018/19 season.

The pair have now decided to join forces to launch the Blue Action campaign at Town’s home game against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, September 22.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town fans make their way into the ground for the East Anglian Derby v Norwich City at Portman Road Picture: ROSS HALLSIpswich Town fans make their way into the ground for the East Anglian Derby v Norwich City at Portman Road Picture: ROSS HALLS (Image: Archant)

It will start with just the two of them trying to start chants and cheers at Portman Road’s Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

With Town’s current record, it is perhaps not the best time to start – but Mr Helm said: “If anything, this is the best time to do it because it is when the club needs us most.”

And they hope their upbeat actions will become so infectious, those around them will join in – and that slowly but surely their good cheer will spread throughout the ground.

Mr Helm, 34, a Blues fan for more 20 years, said: “All it needs is two or three people clearly having a better time than everyone else,” Mr Helm, who lives in Ipswich, said.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town fans applaud at the end of Town' game with Villa recently. Picture: STEVE WALLERIpswich Town fans applaud at the end of Town' game with Villa recently. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

“We’re going to chant for 90mins and we’re confident that people will see that and want to be part of it.

“Enthusiasm is more infectious than negativity. If you see people having a good time, that’s something you want to be part of.

“We’re going to be the catalyst and we’re going to try and control the narrative, make it positive.

“We can’t control what’s happening on the pitch but we can control how we respond to it.”

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town fans at Derby Picture PagepixIpswich Town fans at Derby Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

The pair started the campaign after Mr Helm wrote a blog and commented on Facebook posts about the subject, when he first got talking to Mr Townend and discovered the two had similar views.

What do you think of the atmosphere at Portman Road? Write, giving your full contact details, to andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk