CROWDS were today gathering to honour the heroes of 1978.But the Town fans also had a message for today's heroes: “WE'RE so proud of you!”The sentiment was ringing out from Ipswich and Suffolk today for the True Blue heroes of 2008 - and the incredible Ipswich Town legends of 1978.

CROWDS were today gathering to honour the heroes of 1978.

But the Town fans also had a message for today's heroes: “WE'RE so proud of you!”

The sentiment was ringing out from Ipswich and Suffolk today for the True Blue heroes of 2008 - and the incredible Ipswich Town legends of 1978.

Today's thanks to manager Jim Magilton and his team came after a tenacious 1-0 victory over Hull City at Portman Road.

The Blues won 1-0 . . . but it wasn't enough to allow the team to sneak into the Championship play-offs at the 11th hour.

The players gave their all to achieve another cracking Portman Road victory but other results went against them and Crystal Palace and Watford grabbed the last two play-off berths.

Today's warriors were watched from the directors' box by Britain's favourite soccer knight, Sir Bobby Robson, in town for today's 30th Anniversary celebrations of Ipswich Town's epic 1978 FA Cup Final victory over Arsenal at Wembley.

Sir Bobby, who got a huge cheer from the crowd, was joined in the ground by at least two of the 1978 players, captain Mick Mills . . . and ex-Town boss George Burley, now manager of Scotland.

A series of celebrations was planned across Ipswich today, culminating in Sir Bobby receiving the Freedom of Ipswich, from mayor Inga Lockington, on the Town Hall balcony at 6.00pm this evening.

Following that there's a gala dinner for all the 1978 squad, organised by The Evening Star, Radio Suffolk and Ipswich Borough Council, in the Corn Exchange tonight.