Susan Gardiner

Ipswich grew around its port, established during Anglo-Saxon times for trade with northwestern continental Europe. It became an important religious centre in the Middle Ages, in one of the most populated and wealthy areas of the country. Alongside the docks, and the two rivers, the Orwell and Gipping, industries grew up to support the local agricultural economy and the population migrated from surrounding areas as well as from further afield and abroad. The mix has given Ipswich a lively cultural history that remains to the present day and alongside the working dock area much of the waterfront has been redeveloped for leisure and housing but as with all large towns, particularly ports, Ipswich’s history also encompasses how it had to deal with justice, crime and punishment.Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Ipswich has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

In 1960, Ipswich Town FC under manager Alf Ramsey started their season in the Second Division. At the end of the 1960-61 season Ipswich were promoted as champions immediately and went on to win the First Division in their first year in the top division. Ipswich Town had embarked on the most extraordinary two decades in its history. Alf Ramsey left soon after to become England manager and after a few years in the doldrums, the appointment of Bobby Robson as manager in 1969 inaugurated another period of greatness for the club. In 1973-4 Ipswich finished fourth in the league and reached and over the next eight years were to win the FA Cup, finishing only once below sixth in the league, and win the UEFA Cup. Throughout this era the club were guided by the local Cobbold family’s chairmanship. In 1982 Bobby Robson departed, to become England manager, and although the club has had some successes since then, nothing at Portman Road has rivalled the glory days of Ipswich Town from 1960 to 1982 - an era fondly remembered by fans of the club.