The welcome rise of Ipswich Town

The cliche ‘back where they belong’ is too often bandied about, but no club has a divine right to the top table.

However, I am so pleased that Ipswich – promoted from Division One – are now challenging for automatic promotion to the Premiership.

They have had a torrid time in recent years, being relegated to the Championship and then Division One. The owners and managers were unable to turn the club round until an American fund acquired it and appointed Kieron Mckenna.

Older fans like me remember Ipswich under Alf Ramsey winning the old First Division title and a decade in the 1970s when only Liverpool were superior to them.

Under Bobby Robson they produced superb players like Kevin Beattie, Terry Butcher, Mick Mills, George Burley, Johnny Wark and Alan Brazil.

They also acquired Dutchmen Franz Thijssen and Arnold Muhren at a time when the overseas import was a rarity.

They did revive under George Burley once again, producing talent from their academy in Kieron Dyer, Darren Bent and Titus Bramble, but this proved short-lived.

Throughout the bad times the loyalty of their support did not waiver. Gates of around 29,000 were normal.

Like his predecessor Alf Ramsey – who built his title winning side around Billy Leadbetter who ressembles more a gas fitter than footballer – McKenna has constructed a team where the sum is greater than the total of the parts.

The star is left wing back Leif Davis, their main source of creativity and the their heart beat skipper Morsy.

A few months ago they looked they might fall by way but Leicester City’s form has been the less consistent and it is now Ipswich who sit proudly second.

Last night I watched their home game against lowly Bristol City.

It started dully and in fact the Robins scored first. Things livened up in the second half. Ipswich’s Al Hamady failed to convert a penalty but Davis struck home the winner in extra time.

Ipswich now have 2 problems: firstly, retaining McKenna as he is on the radar of many a Premiership club and secondly, the side – except for Davis – is simply not strong enough for the top tier.

All three promoted clubs look destined for relegation and this fate might well await Ipswich.

In my view should they miss out – it may prove a blessing – but I doubt if this view is shared by the money men who now run most football clubs.