Businesses in Suffolk are being urged to ‘Back the Blues’ in a new campaign designed to boost support for Ipswich Town as they start their new season today.
The club is calling on firms to display flags, shirts, posters, window stickers and anything else blue and white in their premises in an effort to, quite literally, paint the Town blue.
Fans are also being urged to bring their scarves to the Fulham (5.15pm kick-off today) and Norwich City (August 23) matches at Portman Road. They will be asked to wave them high and proud as the players emerge out of the tunnel, creating a “sea of blue” and generating a “cup final” atmosphere, according to one Town official involved in the scheme.
It is hoped the passionate flag-waving will become a cherished tradition at Portman Road.
Ady Smith, landlord of The Dove Street Inn in St Helen’s Street, Ipswich, said it was important fans continued to show their support, particularly after Mick McCarthy’s side finished just outside the play-offs last season.
He said: “The first couple of games are live on television which might mean some people may stay at home, but it will be good to see Town fans out and about and going to Portman Road.
“Achieving Premier League promotion is going to be tough, but if some of the academy players get regular first-time football then I think we will do well.”
Ciro De Lellis, hairdresser at Francesco Hair Salon in St Matthews Street, Ipswich, said: “We fully support this campaign and hope as many businesses as possible get behind it.
“Let’s hope the Town players are inspired by the campaign and achieve Premier League promotion this season.”
An Ipswich Town spokesman said: “We are delighted that local businesses are showing their support for Ipswich Town in this way.
“We are beginning to see more and more blue around the town and hopefully there will be plenty of blue at Portman Road today – and we can kick off the season in style with three points.”
The campaign is set to gather pace as the season progresses.
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