Ipswich Town Club Profile
Ipswich was formed as an amateur club in 1878 but it wasn't until 1936 that they turned professional. After winning the Southern League at the first attempt and finishing third the following season, they were elected to the Football League in 1938.
Ipswich Town started in the Third Division (South) and the Tractor Boys' first success came in the 1953-54 season when they won the title, although Town found life in the Second Division tough and were relegated the following year.
The appointment of Sir Alf Ramsey to replace Scott Duncan proved a shrewd move and Ipswich won the Third Division (South) title in 1957, but the club really came to prominence when they won the Second Division in 1961 and the First Division title just a year later.
It was back to Second Division football, however, by the end of the 1963-64 season, with Ramsey having left to take over the England job and Jackie Milburn now in charge. Milburn resigned at the start of the following campaign and was replaced by Bill McGarry, who led the club back into the top flight in 1968 before leaving to take over at Wolves.
Sir Bobby Robson was appointed manager in 1969 and, after a difficult first few years, Ipswich won the FA Cup in 1978, beating Arsenal in the Final. The late 1970s saw the arrival of Dutch stars Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen and these Ipswich players helped Town win the UEFA Cup in 1981.
Robson then became England coach in 1982 and Barry Ferguson took over the managerial reins but could not prevent the club from being relegated in 1986. John Lyall took the club up as Second Division champions in 1992, but was replaced by George Burley after finishing 16th in the first Premiership season, although Ipswich were once again relegated 12 months later.
Three frustrating years of play-off disappointment followed before Burley took Ipswich Town into the Premiership via the play-offs at the fourth time of asking in 2000.
Givemefootball.com brings you the latest Ipswich Town news and exclusive player interviews
