A Rough Guide To Ipswich
We don’t have a horrible record at Portman away generally, but our previous trip there 21 months ago did not go well.
Hopefully, another sizable contingent of Saints fans will see our first Premier League away victory of the year.
The Earth
Fortunately, we are not in the three-tiered endeavor that seems a bit shaky. Portman Road is a very new stadium with a classic feel.
The two ends were constructed in 2001–2002 and are quite comparable with a lower and upper tier. The two side stands are significantly older.
Originally constructed in 1957, the West Stand gained a third layer in 1984 when an additional deck was erected.
The Sir Alf Ramsey Stand behind one of the goals is not on Sir Alf Ramsey Way, which is at the other end where the Bobby Robson Stand is located.
Similarly, Sir Alf’s monument is next to Bobby’s stand, making Portman Road a place of paradoxes.
However, the Bobby Robson monument beside his stand is located on Portman Road itself, behind the Cobbold Stand.
The away supporters are located in the Cobbold Stand.
Sir Alf Ramsey began his playing career with Southampton, then transferred to Tottenham Hotspur, before leading Ipswich to their first trophy, the First Division championship at the time.
As a result, he was appointed manager of England. If you are unaware, he led England to victory in the 1966 World Cup.
All things considered, Portman Road is a little venue that harks back to a more conventional era.
Surprisingly, it has a 30,000 capacity, only a few thousand fewer than St. Mary’s, which seems to be much larger.
The Faraway End
Saints supporters can be found in the Cobbold Stand’s Upper and Lower Tiers.
The upper level offers a good view, however the stand and the maze-like passageways below are a touch claustrophobic.
The lower tier, which only holds a few hundred away supporters at most and leaves you barely above pitch level even in the back row, is obviously an add-on to ensure that Ipswich can fulfill the requirements for the minimum number of away fan tickets.
Alcohol is served along with the standard food.
How to Get There
By Automobile
The area is well marked from the A14, which circles Ipswich.
The official route into Ipswich is via the A14 and then the A1214. However, residents would rather take the A137 and exit at the next intersection.
Continue straight on this route into Ipswich, staying in the left-hand lane (designated town center) when you cross the river bridge.
Once over the river, past the Punch & Judy bar on your right and turn left at the roundabout (marked Colchester/Bury St Edmunds).
The Portman Road floodlights should be visible to your right as you continue on this road as it turns to the left onto Commercial Road.
Continue to follow the route around to the right after entering the right-hand filter lane (designated town center).
Once you get to Fitness First/Staples, switch to the left lane and make a left turn into Princes Road at the traffic lights. For the ground, take the next left onto Portman Road.
Parking
There isn’t much free street parking since the location is close to the town center. Three Pay & Display parking lots along Portman Road cost £4.60 on a Saturday afternoon.
It is less for evening games since parking lots are free after 8 p.m.; just pay for the appropriate amount of hours till then.
In addition to many additional parking lots in the town center that are well marked, there is a multi-story NCP parking structure near to the train station that charges £2.30 on Saturday afternoons and weeknight nights.
Few people will use the train since it’s an early evening game, and for those who do, it’s less than a five-minute walk to the pitch.
But as most people are well aware, track construction has shut down the main line, making it difficult to catch the final train back to London & Waterloo with rail replacement vehicles.
By Train
Given that Ipswich is around the same distance from London as Southampton, this is a bit of a walk.
The straightforward approach is to take the train to Waterloo, however because to rail construction and closures, there may be a substitute bus service.
From there, take the underground to Newbury Park, then to Shefield, and finally to Ipswich, where you may catch a Great Anglia Train.
It takes almost four hours to complete the whole trip, including all changes.
It should take no more than ten minutes to go from the stadium to the train station, which is less than half a mile away.
Drinking, etc.
In the past, the Drum & Monkey, which was located near the away end, was the preferred bar for visiting fans. However, it is now closed.
Instead, the Riverside Hotel, which is on the river and just a five-minute walk from the station, is the typical away pub these days.
Ipswich supporters are generally very amiable, but as always, supporters wearing brightly colored shirts should be cautious as they may be turned away at some establishments that do not permit visiting supporters.
If you arrive early enough, the town center is only a five-minute walk away and has a wide variety of pubs of all kinds and styles.
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