Ipswich fan's book recalls special trip to Portman Road

Giles Goford, now a BBC commissioning executive for sport, has published a book 'Head for the Floodlights: Around the 92 in the 1980s' recalling his visits to all of the then-football league grounds during three trips in 1988 and 1989.

Mr Goford who grew up in Buckinghamshire but became an Ipswich fan after being inspired by the successful Town side under Bobby Robson. 

His first town game was a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Highbury in December 1980 and he fondly recalled his first visit to Portman Road for a League Cup quarter-final against Watford in January 1982.

Giles Goford in the dugout at Portman Road. (Image: Giles Goford) He undertook the groundhopping challenge with his dad in an attempt to spend more time together which included a special trip to Portman Road in July 1988.

Portman Road as it looked in 1988 looking towards the Cobbold Stand. (Image: Giles Goford) He said: "We didn't phone most clubs in advance there was no internet back then - we just turned up. 

Giles in front of what was then known as the Pioneer Stand but is now known as the East of England Co-Operative Stand. (Image: Giles Goford) "My dad had phoned Ipswich in advance because he knew roughly when we were going to be there and he asked if it would alright to look around the ground so we were actually given a mini tour and were able to walk on the pitch and into the dugout which to me was a great thrill."

Portman Road as it looked in 1988. (Image: Giles Goford) In 2000, Mr Goford decided to reprise his groundhopping exploits in a four-day whistle stop tour but in many ways Town's promotion to the Premier League that year was more of a highlight.

The Pioneer Stand. (Image: Giles Goford) He said: "During the 2000 trip we actually arrived there at night so we obviously couldn't get in. It was the end of terracing, that was probably the biggest change.

Fisons were the main sponsors of Ipswich Town from 1986 to 1995. (Image: Giles Goford) "In fact, the biggest thrill in 2000 wasn't the trip as such but the play-off final against Barnsley which I went to which was absolutely fantastic."

Mr Goford admits that his dad Jeremy wasn't a big football fan and the last game they actually went to together was a 1-1 draw between Ipswich and West Brom in April 1988.

His father died in 2017, and Mr Goford recalls the first groundhopping trip as a treasured bonding experience with his dad. 

'Head for the Floodlights: Around the 92 in the 1980s' is available to buy on the Conker Editions website, priced at £16.