FURTHER details of a spectacular celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of Ipswich Town's 1978 FA Cup heroics emerged today. The Cornhill will be awash with blue and white as thousands of fans gather to welcome Sir Bobby Robson and his Wembley winners at the May 5 Bank Holiday Monday party.
FURTHER details of a spectacular celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of Ipswich Town's 1978 FA Cup heroics emerged today.
The Cornhill will be awash with blue and white as thousands of fans gather to welcome Sir Bobby Robson and his Wembley winners at the May 5 Bank Holiday Monday party.
As preparations for the special reunion continue, organisers have released a running order, ensuring supporters will not miss any of what is sure to be an occasion charged with emotion.
Town centre shops will close at 4.30pm allowing fans to filter on to the Cornhill. BBC Radio Suffolk, which is staging the event with The Evening Star and Ipswich Borough Council, will begin a live broadcast from 5pm.
The open top bus carrying the cup-winning squad will set off from Portman Road at the same time, heading along Civic Drive, Crown Street, Grimwade Street, Franciscan Way and reaching the town hall at 5.55pm.
The players will then step out on to the balcony to greet supporters for 45 minutes before enjoying a drinks reception with the mayor, Inga Lockington.
Highlights from the 1-0 victory over Arsenal will be beamed out on to the Cornhill while gala dinner ticket holders will gather with the team inside the Corn Exchange for a plush meal.
Balcony ticket holders, who will enjoy an after dinner reception and free replica matchday programme, will take their seats at 9.30pm, while master of ceremonies and BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy will be joined on stage by the players.
The squad will finally say an emotional farewell at 11.30am.
Tickets for the gala meal are sold out, but tickets to the after-dinner celebrations are still available, priced at £40. To secure yours, call the Corn Exchange's box office on 01473 433100.
Tell us your FA Cup memories. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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