I don't want to care so much, but I can't help it. My husband, a Norwich fan, wondered idly this week if my son, who has just turned 15, had even been born the last time Ipswich Town beat Norwich City. It turned out that he had. By two weeks. Our last victory was on April 19, 2009 – a 3-2 thriller at Portman Road. So, my husband was wrong, which is always a rare delight, but rather muted by the sad realisation that my poor lad remembers nothing of the last glorious time we silenced the Canaries.
Imagine that. My boy has NEVER seen such glory in any conscious form! Though I have.
I have seen Alex Mathie’s hat trick (1998) and many of John ‘He hates Norwich’ Wark’s record-breaking nine goals in East Anglian derbies. I have seen Gary Megson’s own goal in the last minute taking us to a delirious 3-2. (1993) I have seen Bryan Gunn on his knees and Robert Ullathorne’s tragic head shake. (1996) I was there for it all. Rarely, in my 53 years of life, have I known greater joys.
Of course, when I mentioned these moments of ecstasy in our news conference yesterday, a Norwich fan colleague pointed out for the benefit of the rest of the staff that, ‘What she’s talking about all happened last century, in case you were wondering.’
A sackable remark, I am sure you will agree, but the trouble is, I am very fond of him, as I am of my Canary husband, and my Canary friend Ian, who works in Newsquest’s Norwich office and with whom I have enjoyed over a decade of ‘friendly’ banter.
Nonetheless, if we don’t do it tomorrow I have vowed not to speak to Ian again for at least three months, a vow I would actually stick to if it weren’t extremely likely that the next time I visit Norwich HQ, Ian will be lying in wait for me, ready to leap out from behind a bookcase, Cato-style, brandishing his scarf and cheering ‘in my face’.
Such are the moments we football fans must endure. But I am confident that our players and Kieran McKenna know this and will therefore give today’s Carrow Road clash their all.
They have a chance to make history today. To be the ones who make us undisputed Kings of Anglia again. And to finally knock those budgies off their perches once and for all time.
EADT editor Liz Nice
"East Anglian derbies are always nervy occasions - and this week is no different. Well, that's what I would have said were it not for Monday's heroics. Taking all three points and staying top of the league at Carrow Road would be massive. Those nerves are always going to be there somewhere, but with everything these boys have achieved so far this season, you've got to have faith in the Pride of Anglia bringing the points back to Suffolk."
Former EADT reporter Oliver Sullivan
"This team has given us Town fans so much to cheer about and it has been the best two years supporting this club, and I have full confidence in the team. But there's something about Norwich, that even when they don't play well and Town are by far the better team, like the December game at Portman Road, they manage to get a result. Like evert derby game, I feel more nervous than anything and just praying for three points to come back to Suffolk.
ITFC Women reporter Tom Cann
As someone who lives with a Canaries fan, I cannot wait. Town have shown time and time again this season there is no counting them out. To think the derby could be one of the games that makes this season really raises the stakes and I have no doubt the momentum the team is on they'll rise to the occasion. Another one to test the nerves and the heart rate.
Ipswich Star news editor Clarissa Place
Norwich are in good form at the moment and it will be a tough match, especially away from home, but I have faith in the boys to get the job done and win another three points towards our title challenge. COYB!!
EADT photographer Charlotte Bond
Every time we play the old enemy, I try to convince myself it’s just another game. Only three points at stake - just like every other match. But as kick off nears, and especially when the game begins, I realise how ridiculous I’ve been. It matters SO MUCH. Fierce local pride is at stake every time, and this game is so incredibly important in this oh-so tense promotion fight.
We cannot afford to lose, and Norwich would love nothing more than putting a spanner in our works. Let’s end this excruciating 15 years of hurt - and take another big step towards the Premier League!
Northstander Terry Hunt
A win will mean the world to me. It's been so long since we've won at Carrow Road and its about time we got one over the Canaries. They've been singing for far too long. We've had an unbelievable season and to be able to sing Top of the League at Carrow Road is going to be great but we need the win to keep in the automatic promotion places which is what matters most.
EADT columnist Mark Murphy
My brother in law is a Norwich fan and he has a clock constantly running showing the last time we beat them so it would be good to put that one to bed. But more importantly, three points in our current situation is massive and if we win, I think it would give us huge momentum going into the final stretch. Whatever happens, I love those boys in blue and will never stop loving them, no matter what.
John Nice, press officer Suffolk One
We are quite worried about losing our record of 15 years without being beaten but we took a bit of courage from our ‘2-2 win’ against Town at Portman Road in December. We know if Ipswich win today, it will probably be the kind of moment that seals their promotion so for that reason, more than anything, it would be great to take the wheels off.
Anonymous Norwich fan
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