Tomorrow is a huge day for the town and I don’t just mean “Town” our football club, but the whole of Ipswich. The possibility of Town re-joining the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years is beyond tantalising and it’s so close to being achieved.

As well as a general feel good factor, the opportunities for the whole of Ipswich that would come from such a remarkable achievement in terms of investment and regeneration would be immense. Since the last time Town were in the Premier League, the exclusiveness and elite nature of the Premier League and its global following has only increased and will present the single biggest boost to our area for years. The stakes are very high, there is no point pretending that they’re not, and I can understand the jangled nerves many are feeling.

The last time I was at Portman Road was for the Watford 0-0 draw a few weeks ago and it was tense. Like the atmosphere was on Tuesday night when I was watching the Coventry game in the Newton Road Conservative Club! Unlike many readers I won’t be lucky enough to be at the game on Saturday, but I will be in watching at a local establishment beer in hand cheering them on.

Many readers may already know my secret that I’m actually a Newcastle United fan. It’s just the way it is and due to the tribal nature of football this will never change. My mum is a Geordie and I was subject to a barrage of pro Newcastle propaganda as a kid and the rest was history. It’s hard to accuse me of being much of a glory hunter!

Nevertheless, for the first time in my life over the past few weeks I have been spotted occasionally wearing a football shirt of a club other than that of Newcastle United. I have been swept up fully in the story that is the great success of Town over the past couple of years and I can see the enormous benefits this brings the place I have the honour of representing. I appreciate this could present me with a dilemma if and when the Tractor Boys and the Magpies clash, but that is definitely a good problem to have!

Alas, the job is not yet done so I will save any more congratulatory talk until after the big match on Saturday. We have to assume Leeds will do the job against Southampton at Elland Road. Southampton have nothing to play for, they’re lodged in 4th place and can’t finish any higher or lower though quality team they remain. Huddersfield also have nothing to play for other than pride. Goal difference means it’s next to impossible that they will be able to escape relegation from the Championship. However there have been occasions in the past when, with no pressure, teams can play more freely and be very dangerous. Coventry had nothing to play for on Tuesday but that didn’t stop it being a real nail biter. However, with us only needing a draw at home against a team sitting 23rd in the table we really are in pole position.

Things can change very quickly in football. It really doesn’t seem very long ago that Huddersfield were in the Premier League and it really wasn’t long at all that Town had four years or so stuck in League One, yet next season it's highly likely Town will be in the top tier and Huddersfield will be in the third.

Let’s all hope that this coming Saturday is a truly special day in the history of the Town and it’s one we can all celebrate and remember. I really hope the conversation will then turn to how, as a town, we can grab with both hands all the many opportunities that are likely to come our way as a result.

Tom Hunt is Conservative MP for Ipswich