Ipswich 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.

Susan Gardiner has been writing about history for many years. She is particularly interested in local and social history, which in her case mainly means East Anglian history. She also has a great interest in football and has written for various publications, blogs and fanzines. She's probably most proud of writing an article about Sir Bobby Robson for the official 2015 UEFA Cup Final program. She has written six books, including Ipswich Town: A History, Secret Ipswich and The Wanderer: The Story of Frank Soo. She has an MA in Literature, History & Culture (Southampton, 2000).