Ipswich Town face Norwich City tomorrow in the biggest East Anglian derby in history, with the semi-final first leg taking place in front of a near sell-out crowd.
And Tractor Boy will be on the pitch at Portman Road tomorrow to drum up support in the terraces and help inspire the Blues to a famous win against Norwich City.
The Ipswich Star mascot, who has been unveiled as our secret weapon to help Town win the play-offs and gain promotion to the Premier League, will help Bluey and Crazee whip up a roaring atmosphere in front of a near sell-out crowd.
The match is being billed as the biggest East Anglian derby in history and yesterday only a couple of hundred of tickets remained for the Championship play-off semi-final first leg (12.15pm kick-off).
Tractor Boy is Town’s biggest supporter and has been spotted gathering support for the Blues across the region all week.
He was a selfie magnet in the town centre, drove his tractor around Trinity Park and even dared to cross the Norfolk border and invade Carrow Road to wind up our arch rivals.
Tractor Boy said he was “delighted” to join Bluey and Crazee tomorrow.
He said: “I would like to thank the club for allowing me to grace the hallowed Portman Road turf before the game.
“I’ll be on my best behaviour but some of my tractor boy friends have urged me to wind up the Norwich fans even more after infiltrating their home ground earlier this week by taunting them in the away end – there may even be a ‘let’s be ‘avin you!’
“I’ve also been practising a special little dance out on the Suffolk fields in my spare time. I can’t reveal all the details, but there may be a moonwalk and a ‘lawnmower’ move involved.
“So let’s all get behind the boys in blue and cheer on Mick McCarthy’s barmy army to a big win before the second leg at their place next Saturday.”
The club yesterday said that only around a couple of hundred of restricted view tickets remain for the play-off showdown tomorrow.
An Ipswich Town spokesman said: “We are delighted to receive Tractor Boy’s support and welcome as much support as possible to back Ipswich in what is the biggest East Anglian derby in history.
“We gratefully receive his support and look forward to seeing Tractor Boy at Portman Road tomorrow.”
The Star can also reveal which former Ipswich and England star temporarily posed as Tractor Boy yesterday… it was Kieron Dyer!
The former Town midfielder, who has now retired, gave his full backing to the Star mascot.
Meanwhile, to celebrate Town’s hard-earned place in the play-off semi-finals, we are making our Blues goody bags bigger and better tomorrow.
As well as a copy of the East Anglian Daily Times, water, crisps and a snack, each bag will have a play-off poster and a ‘We’re Backing The Blues’ foam hand – all for just £2.
Look out for the EADT promotions team outside the ground from 10am tomorrow.
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