Ipswich Town Football Club, founded in 1878 in the city of Ipswich, Suffolk, England, is known for its ups and downs in English football. Despite the fact that the tractor drivers were not always at the top of the league tables, their unexpected victories and sensational results sometimes brought lucky fans significant winnings in bets.
Representatives of Foxygold Casino offer to recall the brightest moments in the team's history. By the way, you can place bets with bonuses on this bookmaker's website.
Winning against Manchester United in the 1961/62 season: a newcomer's sensation
In the 1961/62 season, Ipswich Town reached the top division of English football, the First Division (the predecessor of the Premier League), for the first time in its history. Under the leadership of Alf Ramsey, the future coach of the England national team, the team sensationally won the championship title. One of the most memorable matches of that season was the 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Portman Road on October 28, 1961.
Manchester United was one of the league favorites at the time, despite their recovery from the Munich tragedy of 1958. Ipswich, on the other hand, was considered a clear underdog, and the odds on their victory were high. The match was intense, with the Tractor Boys dominating the first half and creating several dangerous moments. The decisive goal in the 62nd minute was scored by Ray Crawford, one of the team's top scorers, after a precise shot from the edge of the penalty area.
This victory was part of an incredible campaign that led Ipswich to the championship. For fans who risked betting on the newcomer's victory over the grandmaster, the winnings were significant due to the high odds.
UEFA Cup 1980/81: Triumph over AZ Alkmaar
In the 1980/81 season, Ipswich Town, under the leadership of Bobby Robson, achieved one of the greatest achievements in their history: winning the UEFA Cup. The final against AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands was the culmination of a campaign, and betting on Ipswich's success in this tournament yielded significant winnings due to their status as a dark horse.
The first leg of the final, played on 6 May 1981 at Portman Road, ended in a comfortable 3–0 victory for Ipswich. Goals were scored by John Work, Frans Thijssen and Eric Gates. The team dominated from the start: Work opened the scoring after 30 minutes, shooting past the keeper after a pass from Alan Brazil. Thijssen doubled the lead with a penalty, and Gates completed the rout with a goal from a defensive error. The Dutch tried to counterattack, but Ipswich's defense, led by Terry Butcher, was impenetrable.
The return match on May 20, 1981, in Alkmaar, was more dramatic. The Dutch won 4-2, but it wasn't enough for a total triumph, as Ipswich won 5-4 on aggregate. Teijssen and John Work scored goals for the visitors, but the tension persisted until the final whistle, as the opponents scored twice in the last 15 minutes.
Win over Inter in the 2001/02 UEFA Cup
In the 2001/02 season, Ipswich Town returned to European competition for the first time since 1982, qualifying for the UEFA Cup through their high fair play ranking. In the third round, the team faced Inter Milan, one of the giants of European football. The first match, played on 22 November 2001 at Portman Road, ended in a sensational 1-0 victory.
Ipswich, under the leadership of George Burley, played aggressively and organized. The only goal was scored in the 41st minute by Aln Peralta, who took advantage of a pass from Marcus Stewart. Inter, which featured the talents of Christian Vieri and Ronaldo, failed to convert their opportunities, while Ipswich's goalkeeper, Matteo Sereni, made several outstanding saves. In the return match at San Siro on December 6, 2001, Inter achieved a 4-1 victory, eliminating Ipswich from the competition. However, the victory in the first match came as a shock to the football world, and the high odds on success against the Italian giant resulted in significant winnings.
The 2010 Victory over Manchester United: A Cup Surprise
Another match associated with significant winnings took place on January 26, 2010, in the English League Cup. Ipswich Town, then competing in the Championship, faced Manchester United in the fourth round of the tournament. The match at Portman Road ended in a 1-0 victory for Ipswich.
Manchester United, led by Alex Ferguson, were considered the clear favorites, but Roy Keane's team showed character. Carlos Edwards scored the decisive goal in the 19th minute, beating goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak after a solo run. Ipswich defended well, and goalkeeper Brian Murphy made several crucial saves, stopping the attacks of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
This victory went down in the club's history as an example of how a team from a lower division can beat a grandmaster. For those who took a chance on Ipswich, fortune had prepared a significant monetary reward.
