Ipswich Town is experiencing a successful return to the Championship, with Kieran McKenna’s team emerging as one of the surprise contenders in the second division this season.
The Tractor Boys are vying for the top spots in the league and have a shot at securing automatic promotion. It’s been quite a while since Ipswich Town last graced the Premier League in 2002, but they are on the verge of an impressive back-to-back promotion, moving from League One to the top flight in just one year.
So, who are the legendary figures in Ipswich Town’s history? Achieving Premier League promotion would undoubtedly cement these players’ names in the club’s annals. In this article, we rank the top seven club legends that Ipswich Town has ever seen.
7 Paul Mariner
Paul Mariner joined Ipswich in 1976, dedicating eight years to the club and amassing over 250 appearances. During his time, he netted an impressive 96 goals for the Tractor Boys and played a crucial role in their 1981 UEFA Cup victory. After his playing career, Mariner ventured into coaching and had spells with teams like Arsenal and Portsmouth.
6 Frans Thijssen
Frans Thijssen arrived at Ipswich from Dutch side FC Twente in 1979, contributing four memorable years at Portman Road. The now 71-year-old played a pivotal role in the legendary 1980-81 season when Ipswich secured the UEFA Cup and came close to clinching the First Division title. Additionally, they reached the FA Cup semi-finals. Thijssen later departed for Nottingham Forest, but his time at Ipswich, with over 100 appearances, left an indelible mark on supporters.
5 Ted Phillips
Ted Phillips joined Ipswich in 1953, spending more than a decade with the Suffolk club. Over the years, he made over 250 appearances and scored a remarkable 150 goals, playing a crucial role in Ipswich’s establishment in the First Division under Alf Ramsey. His goals were instrumental in Ipswich’s First Division title win in their debut season in 1962.
4 Mick Mills
Mick Mills arrived at Ipswich following their league success, rising through the academy system in the mid-1960s. Mills earned the captaincy at a young age, underscoring his significance to the club. The now 74-year-old was part of the triumphant 1981 UEFA Cup campaign before departing for Southampton in 1982.
3 Kevin Beattie
Kevin Beattie, despite being plagued by injuries, remains one of Ipswich’s most cherished players in the eyes of many supporters. He spent nine years with Ipswich before winding down his career with clubs like Middlesbrough and Barnet.
2 Ray Crawford
Ray Crawford holds the distinction of being Ipswich’s all-time leading goalscorer, tallying over 200 goals across two separate spells at the club. He played a crucial role in securing promotion under Alf Ramsey and the subsequent league triumph before returning in 1966 to help Ipswich regain top-flight status following their relegation in 1964.
1 John Wark
John Wark had three separate stints with Ipswich, initially breaking into the team from the academy system in the mid-1970s. He was a pivotal figure in Ipswich’s 1981 UEFA Cup victory before moving on to Liverpool in 1984. Wark returned to Ipswich in 1988 and once more in 1991, accumulating over 500 appearances for the Tractor Boys throughout his career.”
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