Blues fans of all ages have gathered at Portman Road today to meet their heroes ahead of the start of the new season.
Thousands of fans lined the side of the stadium this morning in a bid to meet the players, watch training and take part in fun and games.
The event, which traditionally is held in the run-up to the start of the new season, surpassed last year’s 4,000 within an hour and a half after 4,600 were clocked through the gates, with more than 2,000 enjoying the chance to meet players in the signing zone.
“It’s been really, really good, we’ve had a great turn out over 2,000 through [for] the signatures, so we are really pleased,” said stadium manager Gregg Pillinger.
“We open it up to the community and the fans can get really close to the players, and then they can get pitch side and watch the players what they do in the training session.
“Twenty-three times a year they see the guys running around on the pitch but to get up close and personal with them and to meet their idols is very, very important.”
After the signing session, the players took to the pitch where fans witnessed a typical training session for the club, while the practice pitch was buzzing with other activities.
A mini-golf challenge was set up alongside full games, goal-scoring challenges, bouncy castle and music entertainment, while Town mascots Bluey and Crazee posed for pictures with eager youngsters.
Sarah Hughes, 28, said: “We have never been before but we have heard about it in previous years and thought we would come.
“It’s been brilliant – being free as well is good, but it just gives them the chance to look around the stadium.”
For Ali Wright, 36, who is one of three generations in her family to go along to home games as a season-ticket holder, the event was important going into the new season following the difficulties the club experienced in the 2016/17 campaign.
“The morale of fans is quite low so I think it is great to help boost morale and start the season off on the right foot,” she said.
“There is so much to do and the players are really lovely at the signing – they want to see the children, and at the end of the day the children are the next generation of season ticket holders.”
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