Ipswich Town Football Club - Portman Road

Portman Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, England, IP1 2DA

Tickets:

01473-400555

Enquiries:

01473-400500

Fax:

01473-400040

Official Website:

www.itfc.co.uk

Supporters Trust:

www.ipswichtownfirst.co.uk

Nick Name:

The Super Blues

Email Address:

enquiries@itfc.co.uk

Our Impressions of Portman Road

When Ipswich flirted with the Premiership status at the end of season 1999/2000, Portman Road was greatly improved. These improvements are now completed, and have included adding a second tier to the south stand, (formerly the Churchmans End and now renamed the Greene King stand). Updating and improving the Brittannia (west) stand and the Cobbold stand, on Portman road.

The ground currently holds 30,000 following the completion of the redevelopments.
The new south stand towers above the rest of the stadium, and is a new landmark on the Ipswich skyline. New developments include the Galleria Executive restaurant in the South Stand, additional executive boxes in the Britannia stand, new reception and generally improved facilities throughout the ground (Inc. toilets & food outlets). The South Stand will be no-smoking from 2002/03 (in the seating area).

As the club have opted to stay at Portman Road the ground benefits from the facilities, shops, restaurants and car parks in the nearby town centre.

The away fans are normally allocated approx 2,000 tickets, and are housed in the Cobbold stand. Once the ground improvements are completed, this will be the only remaining old style stand (...surprise, surprise), and the facilities within this stand are limited. Therefore, if you need something to eat, etc, then best to get it before you enter the ground!

Jim from Ipswich has also dropped us an e-mail, and warns away fans 'The seats within the Cobbold stand are rather crammed together, and can be a bit uncomfortable if you have even normal length legs!

The following are all available inside the ground... Greene King (well they do sponsor the new stand), coke, crisps, pies, sausage rolls, pasties.

And Finally....
The statue of Sir Alf Ramsey is well worth a look. The former Ipswich Town manager who led England to world cup glory in 1966. The statue is located behind the North stand on the corner of Sir Alf Ramsey way and Portman Road (Bobby Robson to follow shortly).

Directions to Portman Road

By Road

From the North

Exit from the A14 at the A12 Colchester junction. Follow the A1214 into Ipswich. You will go over two roundabouts, and several sets of traffic lights. When you get to the large set of lights, at the end of London road, then you need to get into the middle lane, and go straight over the lights. At the next set of lights (...beware these two sets of lights are only about 100 yards apart!), you will need to turn right into West End road, past the Lind BMW garage. Continue along West end road for about a mile, and then turn first left into 'Sir Alf Ramsey Way'. Continue along 'Sir Alf Ramsey Way' for about 300 yards, and the ground is on your right.

From the South

For those travelling along the A12, the junction with the A14 is effectively the first roundabout. Then follow the direction as above.

From The Train Station

The ground is only about a five minute walk from the station. On exiting the station, go straight over the bridge opposite, past the night club (...currently called Zest), and then straight over into Princes Street (...you should pass Staples on your left). Once into Princes Street, take the first left into Portman Road. The ground is about 100 yards down on the left.

Local Area around Portman Road

Car Parking


West End Road


Pay & display (the police try to direct away supporters to this car park)

Cattle Market


Very close to the ground, on Portman Road, approach via Handford road and Portman road.

Crown street multi-storey


In the town centre and is OK for evening and Sunday games as it is cheap to park and 15 mins to the ground, but more expensive on other days (mon - sat before 5pm). NB: be warned the local council are adopting a 'Scrooge' like mentality towards motorists trying to park here during Nov/Dec as normal weekday tariffs will apply on Sundays.

Cardinal Park


Less than 5 mins from the ground (look for the UGC cinema) 2 small pay & display car parks behind the North stand, which usually fill up pretty quickly on match days.

There are several pay & display car parks in the town centre, 15-30 mins walk depending on the location.

Pubs Near Portman Road

Curve Bar

The curve bar is close to the ground, it features a contemporary look (think white walls/wooden floors and leather sofas) busy later at night and at the weekends you can also grab a bite to eat with your choice of pre or post match beer.

Fast Food Near Portman Road

Nando's Chicken Restaurant

One of a large chain of the Nando's Chicken restaurants, famous for their Peri-Peri Chicken. This restaurant is located a short walk from the ground within the Cardinal Park Complex.

Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant

For those of you looking for something other than the array of large chains offering the same fayre up and down the country, you could try the Golden Dragon. It's located next to the Punch and Judy and is the last restaurant you'll find on the Cardinal Park Complex.

Old Orleans

Another restaurant from a chain, this offers Cjaun style dining and surrounds. It also boasts a Wi-Fi access point and has a cash machine next door to it.

Chimichanga

A choice of Mexican dishes and beers to suit you if your late and in a rush or have a little more time to kill. The menu contains the usual Tex-Mex offerings.

Pizza Hut & Burger King

If you are travelling by car, then these two restaurants are a must. Located at the A14 / A12 intersection, and are so convenient that travelling fans should not really look anywhere else! Once at the A12/A14 junction following the A1214 into Ipswich. These restaurants are located within the shopping center to your immediate left, near the park and ride

McDonalds

Drive thru or sit down, this McDonalds has been recently refurbished in the newer McDonalds style and now benefits from leather chairs from which you can enjoy a coffee or more typical fayre from the McDonalds menu.

KFC

You have the choice here to drive thru or sit down, I don't think there's anymore we can say about this KFC other than it's probably the closest 'restaurant' to the ground.

Hotels Near Portman Road

The Station Hotel

This pub is directly opposite the train station, and therefore is really convenient for fans travelling by Train. This pub is usually quiet, although there is the odd disturbance on local derby days. The Beer & food is relatively good, but it is really a winner due to it's location

Salthouse Harbour Hotel

This is one of the nicest hotels in Ipswich and probably too expensive for your average travelling fan, but if you are coming to Portman Road and want well appointed accommodation near the ground then this could be the place for you.

Novotel

This hotel is ideally situated for the travelling fan, it's close to the ground and to Cardinal Park where you'll find a wide range of restaurants, a pub and a cinema. It's rates make it a more obvious choice for the away fan than the nearby Salthouse.

Bank Machines Near Portman Road

Cash Point

Located to the right of the 'Old Orleans' restaurant within Cardinal Park, this is probably the closest ATM to the ground itself.

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