It’s more than 16 years since Ipswich Witches and King’s Lynn Stars went head-to-head in a competitive meeting. But that is all set to change on Thursday night... As the Norfolk/Suffolk rivalry recommences at Foxhall Stadium. MIKE BACON takes a look.

Ipswich Star: Michael Lee and Dave Jessup, two of Lynn's top stars were first and second in the world final in Sweden, in 1980, Lee world champion.Michael Lee and Dave Jessup, two of Lynn's top stars were first and second in the world final in Sweden, in 1980, Lee world champion.

Everyone loves a local derby!

There is nothing like getting one over your ‘nearest and dearest’. And on Thursday night at Foxhall Stadium, the first Suffolk/Norfolk speedway derby of the season takes place.

Now, before I start you can pipe down about, ‘oh, it’s just another meeting’.

Rubbish!

Ipswich Star: The Ipswich Speedway team won the division one championship for the second year running in 1976. Promoter John Berry had built a local team of riders to take on world stars in the leagues other teams. With the exception of Australian Billy Sanders all the team were from Suffolk.; The team was (from the left back row) John Berry promoter, Mike Lanham, Tony Davey, Billy Sanders, Kevin Jolly, John Louis (captain on bike) Dave Gooderham and Ron Bagley. Front row, left to right: Ted Howgego, Andy Hines and Colin Cook.The Ipswich Speedway team won the division one championship for the second year running in 1976. Promoter John Berry had built a local team of riders to take on world stars in the leagues other teams. With the exception of Australian Billy Sanders all the team were from Suffolk.; The team was (from the left back row) John Berry promoter, Mike Lanham, Tony Davey, Billy Sanders, Kevin Jolly, John Louis (captain on bike) Dave Gooderham and Ron Bagley. Front row, left to right: Ted Howgego, Andy Hines and Colin Cook. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich v King’s Lynn has never been – and never will be – ‘just another meeting’.

The rivalry goes back decades, is deep-rooted and the fans of both sides are always desperate to get one over the other.

Yet, incredibly it’s been 16 years since the two teams last met in an ‘official’ fixture.

OK, so you can count the East Anglian Cup clashes back in 2008 if you wish.

It was an early season two-legged challenge affair and the Witches thrashed Lynn (nothing new). Ipswich were an Elite League side at the time, and the Stars Premier League.

It wasn’t an official fixture.... Tonight is!

The Witches have always been the bigger club with a much bigger history... Wooooohhhh! I can hear the screams in Norfolk now.... But the stats don’t lie.

Ipswich have been one of the biggest names in the top tier of speedway for decades.

Ipswich Star: John Cook, the 'Cowboy', another who enjoyed his clashes with Lynn during the 80s.John Cook, the 'Cowboy', another who enjoyed his clashes with Lynn during the 80s.

Four Division One championships and five KO Cup victories, including that brilliant treble in 1998 ensures the Foxhall trophy cabinet has a far more impressive haul than their Norfolk rivals – if not in quantity, certainly quality.

Not that Lynn haven’t achieved, you understand.

In the Premier League (the second tier of the sport), throughout the 2000s they were dominant, with 12 trophies secured... The Witches haven’t grabbed any silverware, apart from one Fours victory in 2011, since 1998! Poor form.

So, the history is all Witches, although more recently Lynn know what it takes to win titles, even if not at the highest level.

Ipswich Star: American Dennis Sigalos proved a big hit with the Foxhall fans when he signed with John Cook in 1981 from Hull. He and Cook enjoyed their clashes with Lynn.American Dennis Sigalos proved a big hit with the Foxhall fans when he signed with John Cook in 1981 from Hull. He and Cook enjoyed their clashes with Lynn. (Image: Archant)

The quality of riders that have ridden for both clubs.... Betts, Louis, Jessup, Lee, Hellsen, Sanders, Sigalos, Davey, Simmons, Cook, Gollob, Nicholls, Rickardsson, Doncaster... A plethora of world talent.

HHH

Ipswich Star: Members of the Ipswich Speedway team on the steps of the Town Hall as they arrived for a Civic Reception after winning British League Championship, the Knock Out Cup and the Best Pairs trophy in 1976. Riders included are; Dave Gooderham, Ted Howgego, Tony Davey, Billy Sanders and John Louis. (Photo by David Kindred).Members of the Ipswich Speedway team on the steps of the Town Hall as they arrived for a Civic Reception after winning British League Championship, the Knock Out Cup and the Best Pairs trophy in 1976. Riders included are; Dave Gooderham, Ted Howgego, Tony Davey, Billy Sanders and John Louis. (Photo by David Kindred). (Image: David Kindred)

As a nipper my first-ever Witches/Lynn clash was on ‘away’ territory. I went up in a mini-bus to watch Ipswich at Saddlebow Road one morning, sometime in the late ‘70s, the first part of those wonderful Good Friday ‘double headers’, when we all raced back to Foxhall for part two in the afternoon.

I loved it, even if it took me a while to get used to watching my heroes in ‘away’ helmet colours of white and yellow & black.

As had become custom then, Ipswich fans had taken over the whole of the second bend. Such great support.

There were many heated clashes, none more so than when the Witches travelled to Saddlebow Road in 1999, with the Lynn management placing Witches effigies on the centre green, one to be lit and burned every time Lynn got a 5-1 maximum.

Ipswich Star: Tony Rickardsson (left) left Ipswich to join King's Lynn. Here he and Bo Brhel look back on a night when effergies of Witches were on the centre green ready to be burned... But none were as the Witches triumphed.Tony Rickardsson (left) left Ipswich to join King's Lynn. Here he and Bo Brhel look back on a night when effergies of Witches were on the centre green ready to be burned... But none were as the Witches triumphed.

The Witches ran out easy winners that night – and embarrassingly for the home team, none were burned! Well, not by the Stars anyhow, although some did go up in flames!!!

But history is history.

So, Thursday night begins a new chapter of confrontation between the two sides. A chance for heroes to be made. A chance for fans to celebrate.

Because make no bones about it, this speedway derby has been a long time in the waiting.

Ipswich Star: Burning Witches effergies at Saddlebow Road back in 1999. Every time Lynn got a 5-1 a Witches effergy was set to be burned on the centre green in Norfolk. Sadly it all backfired for the home side as Ipswich ran out easy winners.... The effergies did get burned however... But not by Lynn riders!!!! Photo: STEVE WALLERBurning Witches effergies at Saddlebow Road back in 1999. Every time Lynn got a 5-1 a Witches effergy was set to be burned on the centre green in Norfolk. Sadly it all backfired for the home side as Ipswich ran out easy winners.... The effergies did get burned however... But not by Lynn riders!!!! Photo: STEVE WALLER (Image: Archant)

Bring it on!