A LIFELONG Ipswich Town fan is today preparing to serve a gala dinner to the Blues' 1978 FA Cup-winning heroes.David Barnard's catering firm has been selected to provide the silver service meal at the Thirty Years of Honour reunion party on May 5.

A LIFELONG Ipswich Town fan is today preparing to serve a gala dinner to the Blues' 1978 FA Cup-winning heroes.

David Barnard's catering firm has been selected to provide the silver service meal at the Thirty Years of Honour reunion party on May 5.

The occasion will be the last time Sir Bobby Robson and his Wembley winners will be together.

A proud Mr Barnard, of Barnard Catering in Felixstowe, said: “I'm a big Town fan, so this will be a really nice job to work on.

“I'm 36 so I wasn't able to go to Wembley in 1978, but I can remember watching the final on the television at home.”

The firm has laid on a plush meal for Beattie, Wark, Osborne and co. who will be joined by hundreds of supporters at the town hall event.

Diners will tuck into Thai beef salad, guinea fowl and summer pudding before reliving the magic of Town's wonderful 1-0 triumph over favourites Arsenal.

Mr Barnard, of Ranelagh Road, Felixstowe, said: “It's a lovely menu and it should be a great night.”

While tickets to the meal have already sold out, there are still places available for the after-dinner celebrations, allowing fans to enjoy interviews with the players and their very own finely reproduced cup final programme.

To secure your ticket, call the Corn Exchange box office on 01473 433100.

Fans can also soak up the celebratory atmosphere by converging on the Cornhill, where thousands are expected to welcome the players at 5pm.

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