Town turns blue and white ahead of promotion match
TL;DR
Ipswich town centre is adorned in blue and white as the community rallies behind Ipswich Town FC ahead of their crucial promotion match. A win against QPR will secure their place in the Premier League.
Key points
- Ipswich town centre is decorated in blue and white
- Community support for Ipswich Town FC promotion
- Ipswich Town needs to win against QPR
- Match at Portman Road
- Ipswich Town is second in the Championship
Mentioned in this story
Shops have put displays in their windows supporting Ipswich Town [Ben Parker/BBC]
Ipswich town centre has been decked out in blue and white, as the Tractor Boys hope to seal promotion to football's top flight.
Venues have been putting up posters, balloons and bunting after Ipswich Central called for a show of support.
Town sit second in the Championship, and a win against QPR at Portman Road on Saturday will see the side promoted to the Premier League.
But if they fail to win, they will need Millwall to drop points at home to Oxford and Middlesbrough to fail to win at Wrexham.
Artwork from a Suffolk artist is being used to show support for the football club [Ben Parker/BBC]
Mark Ashton, Ipswich Town's chairman and chief executive, said seeing the town adopt the team's colours meant "a great deal" to the club and players.
"The connection between the club and the town is incredibly special, and campaigns like this show exactly what Ipswich Town means to the wider community," he said.
James Cole said the football club was helping to unite the town [Jamie Niblock/BBC]
James Cole, who runs a clothes store in the town centre, said the staff were "big fans" and "love the town".
He said he wanted to put a display in his store window to "bring a great feel to the community".
Tina Leamon is expecting a big turnout at her bar on match day [Jamie Niblock/BBC]
Tina Leamon owns a bar and restaurant in the town. She said they had been preparing for three weeks for the match day, including buying in extra stock and bringing in more staff.
"Every game this season we've been getting busier and busier," she said.
Ipswich fans have been loyal to the football club but also to local venues, she added.
She expected about 200 people to fill the bar on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Stowmarket artist Louise Cobbold's player portraits, which have appeared on the front of match day programmes, have also been placed in many shop windows, with large banners on the front of Town Hall.
The Town Hall has been decked out to show support, with the lights turned blue for the occasion [Oliver Ward/BBC]
Blue and white can be seen across the town centre [Ben Parker/BBC]
Different types of venues have been getting involved in putting up displays [Ben Parker/BBC]
Ipswich fans are hoping for an instant return to the Premier League [Ben Parker/BBC]
Tens of thousands of people are expected in Ipswich to watch the match at Portman Road and in venues across the town [Ben Parker/BBC]
Banners have also been put up on fences outside a former department store [Ben Parker/BBC]
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Q&A
Why is Ipswich town centre decorated in blue and white?
Ipswich town centre is decorated in blue and white to show support for Ipswich Town FC as they aim for promotion to the Premier League.
What do Ipswich Town need to do to secure promotion?
Ipswich Town needs to win their match against QPR to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Where is the promotion match between Ipswich Town and QPR taking place?
The promotion match between Ipswich Town and QPR is taking place at Portman Road.
What position is Ipswich Town currently in the Championship?
Ipswich Town currently sits in second place in the Championship.
