Football Ground Guide: Portman Road, Ipswich Town FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Portman Road (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? The South & Britannia Stands (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park By Train Local Rivals The Sir Bobby Robson Stand (photo) Ground Layout Admission Prices Fixtures 2009-2010 Programme Price Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
The overall look of the ground has greatly improved, with the re-development of both ends. Both these ends, the South Stand and the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, are similar in appearance and size, and dwarf the smaller older stands, located on each side of the ground. Unusually, both ends have a larger upper tier which overhangs slightly the smaller lower tier. Both have windshields to either side of the upper tier and they are completed, with some spectacular floodlights perched on their roofs. They were both fully opened a year apart in 2001 & 2002. The South Stand was originally called the Churchmans Stand in reference to the Churchmans Cigarette factory which used to be located behind that end of the stadium. Both sides are much older stands and now look quite tired in comparison. On one side, the fair sized Britannia Stand is a three tiered covered stand, with a row of executive boxes running across its middle. This stand was was originally opened in 1957 and was then known as the West Stand. In 1984 an additional tier was added along with a new roof. Opposite is the smaller Cobbold Stand. Again it is two tiered and has a row of executive boxes. However it is only partly covered, with the small lower tier of seating being open to the elements. This stand which was first opened in 1971 and was originally called the Portman Stand. It was later renamed the Cobbold Stand in respect of the Cobbold family who were former owners of the club and old Suffolk brewers Tolly-Cobbold. Unusually the teams emerge onto the field from one corner of the ground between the South and Britannia Stands. Outside are two statues of two former Ipswich and England managers. One is of World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey and is located on the corner between the Cobbold and Sir Bobby Robson Stand, while Sir Bobby Robson's statue is placed behind the Cobbold stand in Portman Road. Top Of Page
Future Developments
The Club would at some point like to re-develop the Cobbold Stand and boost the capacity of the ground to 40,000. However this is unlikely to happen unless the Club established itself once again as a Premier League Club. Top Of Page
Portman Road
Thanks to Owen Pavey for supplying the photos for this page. Top Of Page
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are placed on one side of the upper tier of the Cobbold Stand at one side of the pitch, where up to 1,900 away supporters can be accommodated (or according to some - crammed in). 1,500 of this allocation are housed in the upper tier wing sections. If necessary an additional 400 'premium' seats can be made available which are more centrally located in the upper tier. The away allocation can also be supplemented by a further 400 seats in the lower tier of this stand. Although the views from this area are generally not too bad (unless you are at the very back of the stand where there are some supporting pillars), the leg room is a little cramped and as with the rest of the stand the facilities are beginning to show their age. On the plus side, away fans can really make some noise from this stand, contributing to a real great atmosphere. Food on offer inside the ground include; Rollover Hot Dogs (Ł3), Various Pies, including the Chicken Balti Pie (Ł2.60), Pasties (Ł3) and Jumbo Sausage Rolls (Ł2.60). Chris Watkins a visiting Coventry City fan adds; 'I felt that I my visits to Portman Road that the stewarding was a little over the top with fans being persistently asked to sit down. There was also a sizeable Police presence, for what really is a low profile fixture'. I have always found this to be a friendly place and pleasurable day out, even though I've never seen my team win there! I even on one occasion got accosted by some Ipswich fans, whilst coming out of the railway station and ended up accompanying them on a pub crawl before the game. Overall Portman Road is a good day out although it does seem to take an eternity to get there! Top Of Page
Where To Drink?
The main away supporters pub for many a season, the 'Drum & Monkey', has now declared itself a 'home supporters only' pub, following refurbishment. This makes the choice of drinking establishments for away fans very limited. The Station Hotel, which is near to the ground and train station, is where most visiting supporters will congregate. Otherwise the Punch & Judy pub on Cardinal Park, which is close to the ground has also been recommended to me as a pub which is family orientated and where both sets of fans can enjoy a drink. Other pubs in the area such as the Victoria, the Hare & Hounds and the Swan, are very much home pubs and are best avoided by visiting fans. If you arrive in good time then you can take the walk into the town centre where there are plenty of pubs to be found. Of particular note is the CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed, Lord Nelson in Fore Street. Which is an interesting pub that sells Adnams beers. Otherwise alcohol is on sale inside the ground in the form of bitter and lager, at Ł3.10 per pint, plus Aspall Suffolk Cyder. Please note that alcohol is not available to away fans at half time. Top Of Page
South & Britannia Stands
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How To Get There And Where To Park
Follow the A14 around Ipswich, until you see the turning for Ipswich (A137). Stay on this road and you will eventually see the ground on your left. Bill Leggate adds 'there is extremely limited on-street car parking around the ground. There are however three pay and display parks in Portman Road with a total of about 800 spaces. It costs Ł3.50 to park your car there for the Saturday afternoon. Early arrival is recommended to ensure a space close to the ground. There are several town centre car parks within 10 minutes walk all of which are well sign posted,' plus there there is a multi storey car park located next to the railway station, which costs Ł5 on a Saturday afternoon and Ł3 weekday evenings. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. Top Of Page
By Train
The ground is only a quarter of a mile away from Ipswich train station. You will see the ground as you come into the station. Ipswich is served by trains from London Liverpool Street and Peterborough. Top Of Page
Local Rivals
Norwich City & Colchester United. Top Of Page
Sir Bobby Robson Stand
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Admission Prices
Like a number a clubs Ipswich categorise matches (A, B & C) whereby the more popular matches cost more to watch. Category B & C prices are shown below in brackets. Home Fans: Cobbold Stand (Upper Premium Seats): Adults Ł56 (B Ł53) (C Ł51), Concessions Ł42 (B Ł39) (C Ł38), Under 16's Ł28 (B Ł26) (C Ł25) Cobbold Stand (Upper Centre): Adults Ł39 (B Ł36) (C Ł35), Concessions Ł25 (B Ł24) (C Ł23), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Cobbold Stand (Upper Wings): Adults Ł33 (B Ł31) (C Ł30), Concessions Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Cobbold Stand (Lower Tier): Adults Ł28 (B Ł26) (C Ł25), Concessions Ł19 (B Ł18) (C Ł17), Under 16's Ł8.50 (B Ł8) (C Ł7.50) Britannia Stand (Upper Premium Seats): Adults Ł43 (B Ł41) (C Ł39), Concessions Ł25 (B Ł23) (C Ł22), Under 16's Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21) Britannia Stand (Upper Centre): Adults Ł39 (B Ł36) (C Ł35), Concessions Ł25 (B Ł24) (C Ł23), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Britannia Stand (Upper Wings): Adults Ł33 (B Ł31) (C Ł30), Concessions Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Britannia Stand (Family Area Upper Wings): Adults Ł33 (B Ł31) (C Ł30), Concessions Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21), Under 16's Ł8.50 (B Ł8) (C Ł7.50) Britannia Stand (Lower Tier): Adults Ł28 (B Ł26) (C Ł25), Concessions Ł19 (B Ł18) (C Ł17), Under 16's Ł8.50 (B Ł8) (C Ł7.50) South Stand (Premium Seats): Adults Ł47 (B Ł44) (C Ł43), Concessions Ł35 (B Ł32) (C Ł31), Under 16's Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21) South Stand (Upper Tier): Adults Ł33 (B Ł31) (C Ł30), Concessions Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) South Stand (Lower Tier): Adults Ł28 (B Ł26) (C Ł25), Concessions Ł19 (B Ł18) (C Ł17), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Sir Bobby Robson Stand (Upper Tier): Adults Ł33 (B Ł31) (C Ł30), Concessions Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Sir Bobby Robson Stand (Lower Tier): Adults Ł28 (B Ł26) (C Ł25), Concessions Ł19 (B Ł18) (C Ł17), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Away Fans: Cobbold Stand (Upper Centre): Adults Ł39 (B Ł36) (C Ł35), Concessions Ł25 (B Ł24) (C Ł23), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Cobbold Stand (Upper Wings): Adults Ł33 (B Ł31) (C Ł30), Concessions Ł23 (B Ł22) (C Ł21), Under 16's Ł12 (B Ł11) (C Ł10.50) Cobbold Stand (Lower Tier): Adults Ł28 (B Ł26) (C Ł25), Concessions Ł19 (B Ł18) (C Ł17), Under 16's Ł8.50 (B Ł8) (C Ł7.50) * The prices quoted above are for tickets purchased prior to matchday. Tickets purchased on matchday can cost up to Ł2.50 more. Concessions apply to Over 60's, Students with a valid NUS card, supporters in disabled areas and Under 20's. Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Fixtures 2009-2010
For the Ipswich fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme
Official Programme: Ł3. Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 38,010 v Leeds United, FA Cup 6th Round, March 8th 1975. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 30,152 v Norwich City Division One, December 21st, 2003. Average Attendance: 2008-2009: 20,961 (Championship League) 2007-2008: 21,935 (Championship League) 2006-2007: 22,445 (Championship League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of Portman Road
Nick Lee (West Bromwich Albion) 1/1/08 Kevin Armiger (Norwich City) 13/4/07 David Prior (Colchester United) 27/10/07 Tom Thacker (Ipswich Town) 10/2/07 Matthew Appleton (Plymouth Argyle) 5/11/05 Susan Bowen (Leicester City) 25/2/05 Eli Altmann (West Ham) 1/1/05 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Ipswich page click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide.
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