IPSWICH resident Jim Jones was probably the happiest man in the country at Ipswich's FA Cup fourth round draw as he is a lifelong Swansea City fan.Born in west Wales, Jones moved to Ipswich in 1979 as a 24-year-old and has been waiting 26 years for a Swansea visit to Portman Road since their last appearance there in 1981.

IPSWICH resident Jim Jones was probably the happiest man in the country at Ipswich's FA Cup fourth round draw as he is a lifelong Swansea City fan.

Born in west Wales, Jones moved to Ipswich in 1979 as a 24-year-old and has been waiting 26 years for a Swansea visit to Portman Road since their last appearance there in 1981.

He said: “I was in my kitchen when the draw was made and I said to my father-in-law that I had a funny feeling it was going to happen.

“When Swansea came out of the hat I nearly smashed a light bulb I was that excited!”

Jones, who will be taking his six-year-old son Sam to tomorrow's game for what will be his first-ever football match, says he does not mind who he supports.

He said: “I started following Ipswich when I came here because obviously around '79 they had a wonderful team.

“I don't really mind who wins on Saturday, I just hope both teams play well, that the best team wins and both sets of fans behave themselves. Whichever team wins will have my support in the next round.”

Local courier Jones added: “I've suffered with both Swansea and Ipswich down the years.

“I remember when both were in the play-off semi-finals a couple of years back and both were heading for the final. Suddenly, in a five-minute spell, both let in goals and were knocked out. I was probably the unhappiest fan in the country that day.”

Jones, who will sit in the family enclosure for the game, warns that Swansea will bring a noisy following.

He said: “I've been told that the 5,000 Swansea supporters who went to the last round at Sheffield United made more noise than the likes of Liverpool and other Premiership fans. I just hope they manage to bring a similar number of fans on Saturday.”