Ipswich Town promotion: Celebration gallery of years gone by

It has been more than two decades since Ipswich Town last rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names of English football and after winning against Huddersfield on Saturday - it is Blue fever across the town. 

Kieran McKenna and his men are now among a select group of teams that have ever achieved back-to-back promotions to the top-flight.

And as Ipswich continues to be a sea of blue and white, let's look back in the archives to how the town celebrated the club's biggest achievements.

2023

Christchurch Park was packed with more than 10,000 people celebrating Town's promotion from League One. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

Nearly 10,000 people were in attendance in Christchurch Park last May as players, coaches and directors took to the stage in order to commemorate the team's return to the Championship after spending four years in League One. 

Nearly 10,000 people attended the promotion in the park last year. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

Captain Sam Morsy at last year's event. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

The team secured the win after putting six goals past Exeter in front of a home crowd last April.

2000

Ipswich Town after securing promotion to the Premiership in 2000. (Image: Newsquest)

It was the perfect start to the 21st century as Ipswich clinched a return to the Premiership with a win at Wembley in the Play Off finals.

Wembley was awash with blue and white for the 2000 Play Off Final game. (Image: Newsquest)

Following the win, the Cornhill was packed to watch the players and staff arrive on an open top bus.

Ipswich Town beat Barnsley 4-2 at Wembley thanks to goals from Tony Mowbray, Richard Naylor, Marcus Stewart, and Martijn Reuser. (Image: Newsquest - Jamie Niblock)

Ipswich Town beat Barnsley 4-2 at Wembley thanks to goals from Tony Mowbray, Richard Naylor, Marcus Stewart, and Martijn Reuser.

1992

The squad of the 1991/1992 promotion campaign celebrating. (Image: Newsquest)

Playing in the then Second Division, the team's run during the 1991/92 season saw them secure their place to the newly formed Premiership.

In 2022, Jason Dozzell recalled his memories of the season 30 years before.

Under John Lyall the team went on an impressive streak between Boxing Day 1991 to the middle of April 1992, losing two and drawing two of their 18 games. 

Dozzell recalled: "We were not expected to do anything that season to be honest. There were about 8,000 fans at Portman Road for our opening game." 

"But we started well, lost a couple early on and a few in November but by Christmas we were riding high. Over Christmas and New Year we blew everyone away.

"We went top of the league and the fans started returning. After January I think they realised something was happening. They got us over the line, they started to go everywhere with us."

1962

The triumphant Town team arrives on the Cornhill in Ipswich in the traditional open-top bus to be greeted by thousands of adoring fans. Picture: Dave Kindred (Image: Dave Kindred)

Ipswich Town are no strangers to exceeding expectations, which is what the team of 1962 did when they stunned many to win the First Division.

Under the management of the legendary Sir Alf Ramsey, he and his players had shown what the team was capable a year previously when they won promotion to the First Division.

At the start of the season, they had been written off to head straight back down - a challenge faced by many promoted sides.

Andy Nelson doesn't look especially comfortable as he is hoisted skyward by John Elsworthy and Roy Bailey during the 1962 championship celebrations. (Image: David Kindred)

Playing a huge part in the team's road to victory was Ray Crawford and Ted Phillips backed by wingers, Jimmy Leadbetter and Roy “Rocky” Stephenson.

On the final Saturday of the season, in front of nearly 29,000 fans, Town kept their nerve and won 2-0 against visitors Aston Villa.

How funny that 62 years later, Town once again secured their fate on the final day of the season. 

Not promotions but certainly celebrations! - Bonus pictures

1981

Paul Mariner holds the UEFA cup aloft to a huge crowd. (Image: Newsquest)

It hasn't just been promotions that have brought the crowds out into the town. 

For many decades fans have been proud of the club's exploits in the 70s and 80s.

Mick Mills and Sir Bobby Robson with the UEFA Cup in 1981. (Image: Newsquest)

Winning the UEFA Cup in 1981 with a 5-4 victory over AZ Alkmaar would result in these images including of the late Paul Mariner and Sir Bobby Robson. 

The team produced the win following a two-legged final and John Wark would go on to end that season with 36 goals.

1978

Ipswich's Cornhill when Ipswich Town won the FA Cup in 1978. (Image: Newsquest)

A packed Cornhill is not uncommon when it comes to an Ipswich Town celebration.

These photos show the scenes after Town won the FA Cup in 1978 - with an article in the East Anglian Daily Times reporting 100,000 people crowded in town to greet the cup winning heroes. 

During their cup run, Town beat Cardiff City, Hartlepool, Bristol Rovers (after a replay), Millwall and West Brom on their way to beating Arsenal 1-0 in the final.

Roger Osborne would go on to break the deadlock with the 77th minute winner resulting in Town winning the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

What will today's scenes bring? 

Tell us how you are celebrating by messaging us on Facebook or emailing suffolkeditors@newsquest.co.uk