Two key figures involved in Ipswich Town's last promotion - to the Premier League in 2000 - have hailed the 'fabulous turnaround' in the club's fortunes as the Tractor Boys stand on the verge of a return to the Championship after four years away.
George Burley and David Sheepshanks were manager and chairman respectively when Town returned to the top flight on a memorable afternoon at Wembley stadium when they beat Barnsley 4-2 in the play-off final for the old Division One (now the Championship).
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Mr Sheepshanks was optimistic about the future for Town, thanks to the efforts of manager Kieran McKenna, chief executive Mark Ashton, chairman Mike O'Leary and the club's US-based backers Gamechanger 20 Ltd, who bought a majority stake in April 2021.
Today (Saturday), the Tractor Boys will be guaranteed a return to English football's second tier if they beat Exeter City at a sold-out Portman Road, with excitement mounting at the prospect of Ipswich's first promotion for 23 years.
The feverish expectation is reminiscent of the tension ahead of that famous play-off final on a Bank Holiday in May 2000, although Mr Sheepshanks said on this occasion the club was looking to return to the level it should be playing at with its fan base.
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Attendances have averaged over 26,000 this season - second only to Derby in League One - representing one of the highest gates in the whole of the English Football League.
He said: "I think it is fabulous. The turnaround in the club in the last 18 months since Mark Ashton and Mike O'Leary came in has been phenomenal and since Kieran McKenna became manager, it has been transformational and they have brought the club back to our town, our county and our fans."
Mr Sheepshanks, who is currently chair of St George's Park National Football Centre, said he still 'bled blue and white' and would be as 'excited as everybody else in the ground, while rooting with every sinew in my body for the right result'.
He compared Town's level of support to clubs such as Brighton, Leicester, Brentford and Bournemouth - all currently in the Premier League - and said the Tractor Boys finances were now more 'robust' than during his tenure as chair, when the club had to 'hunt and scrape for every pound it had'.
During that period, Town had to endure play-off heartache, missing out in the semi-finals on three consecutive occasions before finally succeeding in 2000.
"Every time we lost in the play-offs, we had to sell again. This time around, we have got financial support behind the club that is robust and I think we can be very excited about that," Mr Sheepshanks added.
Mr Burley was similarly complimentary towards McKenna and the club's owners and said the players would only have one thought when they take to the field today- to 'win the game'.
He believed the players would be feeling confident, not nervous as they had been winning games and their preparation had been the same, week in, week out.
"The last couple of seasons, the club has certainly taken a step forward. The squad and the standard of football that is played and that is shown by the numbers of fans turning up, the enthusiasm shown, so that is beginning to come together.
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"Kieran McKenna has taken over and done a fantastic job and he has had huge backing from the American investors behind the scenes.
"They have done a lot of work in the community. They have got a squad that is probably the best in League One and they have shown how strong they are in the last ten or 11 games," Mr Burley said.
He was particularly pleased the club had restored its community foundation, which was axed under previous owner Marcus Evans - a decision he described as 'one of the worst ever made at the football club'.
The Scot - who will be in attendance today - was also confident Town could do well in the Championship - saying they should have 'no fears' - but emphasised that progress was 'one step at a time' and promotion needed to be secured first on Saturday.
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