About

Ipswich Town Football Club, based in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, compete in the EFL Championship and have a long history on the national and European stage. The club was founded on 1 January 1878, a foundation date that frames more than a century of local support and memorable matches; signed football shirts and historic pieces from the club are available via Walkouts in specialist categories for collectors.

The team turned professional in 1936 and were elected to the Football League in 1938, progress that set the scene for a golden period under notable managers. The club’s identity remains rooted in the town, and the link to the wider community is reflected in match attendance and local traditions surrounding match days in Ipswich.

Today the side plays in the EFL Championship, and the club’s playing style and squad turnover make for a steady stream of player-issued shirts and season-specific items. Home fixtures are staged at Portman Road, a ground used by the club since 1884 and a frequent provenance point noted in listings for match-worn and match-issued shirts.

Ipswich’s trophy cabinet includes a headline national success when the club won the league title, famously in the 1961-62 season, and collectors prize shirts tied to that era; the club’s league title in 1961-62 remains a defining domestic achievement. On the continental stage Ipswich secured a major milestone with the UEFA Cup in 1981, and the team’s unbeaten home record in European competition, against sides such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, adds provenance to European match items.

For collectors, provenance matters. Walkouts listings typically detail source notes, match association, and preservation state, and many items are offered as match-worn, match-issued, framed shirts or limited edition releases. Descriptions may reference COA, witness statements or exact photo proof when available, and condition reports are provided so buyers can assess stitching, kit sponsors and signing location. Free worldwide shipping is offered on selected items, and each listing aims to be transparent about how the signature was obtained and any accompanying documentation.

Whether you seek a framed first-team shirt from a cup run, a signed limited edition home shirt, or a match-worn piece tied to a specific fixture, look for clear provenance notes, photographic evidence and condition detail in each entry. Collectors often prefer items with accompanying match reference or image proof, and many listings include high-resolution photographs to assist appraisal and display decisions.

For those building a collection around club history, season provenance and clear documentation are essential; search by player, season or competition to find items connected to specific moments at Portman Road, then follow listing notes for verification and care. Shop with attention to listing detail and provenance, and finish your search at Walkouts.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 1961–62 Blue First Division champions
  • 1977–78 Blue FA Cup winners
  • 1980–81 Blue UEFA Cup winners

Iconic away kits

  • 1980–81 White UEFA Cup away set
  • 1999–2000 Red First Division play-off run
  • 2023–24 White Championship promotion away

Anniversary shirts

  • 1978 Centenary 1878–1978 crest
  • 2003 125 years special crest
  • 2018 140 years commemorative mark

Collector seasons

  • 1961–62 First Division title
  • 1977–78 FA Cup winners
  • 1980–81 UEFA Cup champions

Honours

Ipswich Town’s honours portfolio features a landmark First Division title, won in 1961-62 at the club’s first attempt in the top flight. That breakthrough was followed by a sustained spell among England’s elite, with regular top-six finishes across a decade. Domestic cup glory arrived with the FA Cup triumph in 1978, a Wembley win that underlined the strength of a side built to compete on multiple fronts. Continental success soon followed as the club lifted the UEFA Cup in 1981, completing a defining European campaign.

European pedigree is further highlighted by an unbeaten home record in UEFA competition, with famous Portman Road victories over visitors such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Lazio and Barcelona. Those milestones, allied to consistent league performance at the highest level, establish Ipswich Town’s reputation as a club capable of matching storied domestic moments with memorable European nights.

Legends & Leadership

Kevin Beattie, Mick Mills, Paul Mariner embodied Ipswich Town’s rise; Beattie was a legend player of the 1970s whose dominance set the tone at Portman Road, Mills was a legend player of the 1970s noted for consistency and leadership, and Mariner was a legend player of the late 1970s whose goals powered the late 1970s cup surge and European ambitions.

John Wark, Terry Butcher carried the baton into the next era; Wark was a legend player of the early 1980s with a decisive touch in big moments, while Butcher was a legend player of the mid-1980s, emblematic of the defensive steel that sustained Ipswich’s competitive edge and helped preserve the club’s formidable European home aura.

Matt Holland is a recent key player of the early 2000s, remembered for reliability and influence during a modern era that connected new generations with the club’s proud standards.

Bobby Robson stands as the legendary manager of the late 1970s and early 1980s, guiding the team to the FA Cup in the late 1970s and the UEFA Cup in the early 1980s while shaping a side that regularly challenged near the top of the First Division.

Stadium

Portman Road is the club’s enduring home, with Ipswich Town playing there since 1884. Supporters know the ground simply as Portman Road, a traditional venue woven into the fabric of the town and an anchor for matchday rituals. The stands come alive in club colours, with blue shirts and white shorts mirrored across the terraces as generations gather to watch Town.

Atmosphere reaches another level for the East Anglian derby against Norwich City, when the build-up, noise and intensity showcase the rivalry’s deep roots. European nights have their own legacy here too, with Ipswich never having lost a home tie in continental competition and recording famous wins over major European visitors. From league fixtures to derby clashes, the ground’s tight-knit setting fosters a distinctive Portman Road roar that carries the team through tense moments.

Local derby
East Anglian derby Norwich City ‘Old Farm’

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification FA vs UEFA patches vary
  • Suppliers Umbro/Adidas eras; check jock tags
  • Provenance 1980–81 match-issue prized

FAQ

Q: When was Ipswich Town founded and where are they based? A: The club was founded in 1878 and is based in Ipswich, Suffolk, England.

Q: What is Ipswich Town’s home ground? A: The team has played at Portman Road since 1884, a traditional venue close to the town centre.

Q: Who are Ipswich Town’s main rivals? A: Norwich City are the long-standing rivals, with meetings known as the East Anglian derby.

Q: What major trophies has the club won? A: Ipswich Town won England’s top division in 1961-62, the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981, and the club has never lost a European home tie.

Q: How do you verify signed items and shipping? A: Autographs are typically supported by a COA or comparable verification and photo proof where possible, and we offer Free worldwide shipping.