The Remarkable Rise of Ipswich Town 

Definitely should do a video on Bromley. A 132 year old club and they finally made it into the English Football League on Saturday by winning the National League playoff by penalties. Rather amazing.

I've been waiting for Alfie's take on Ipswich. Still can't believe whats happened. I have a son whohas seen 2 promotions in his lifetime, hes only 14 months old. Before he was born I had only seen 1. Fairytale stuff.

Crazy how we got 2 unfancied teams to get promoted in 2 straight seasons, Luton Town and Ipswich

I was 15 in 2000, when I went to Wembley to watch that magical day for Ipswich under George Burley. Genuinely didn’t think I’d ever see it again in my lifetime, 2010‘s are the dark decade in our history we can forget now!

Ipswich Town is heroic and fantastic this season. Crazy lads made everything right.

it’s funny how we also signed al-hamadi and promoted elkan baggott to the first team aswell as signing egyptian morsy and the 2 australians luongo and burgess across mckennas reign. It has brought us so many fans from Iraq, Indonesia, Egypt and Australia who don’t have many players in the premier league and are happy for them to play at the top level. Aswell as al-hamadi and baggott being the first ever Iraqi and Indonesian players to play in the premier league. Really proud for them

It's crazy how Ipswich Town managed to u-turn their fortunes. I am impressed. I don't follow English league games often so I was stunned by their rise. Hope the best for Ipswich in the Premier League. Here is my still ongoing request about a video of Iranian football (I am Iranian). A country with 80 million people, gigantic talent pool, and passionate fans... yet Iranian football has been left to rot because of the corrupt Islamic Republic regime that prioritised abroad wars over domestic development, an Iran team that can't win any Asian Cup title since 1979 and still unable to advance past the group stages of a World Cup. Our golden generation, comprised of the like of Jahanbakhsh, Taremi and Azmoun, is heading to sunset and there are no strategy inside the federation to fix it. Last year, Iran's best referee Alireza Faghani announced defection to Australia to protest the suppression of protesters demonstrated just how severe Iran's football crisis is.

I don't really talk so much about Ipswich Town, but this season's of Championship was so crazy. The shock downfalls of Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town, as they were now relegated to League One, was another major highlights. Birmingham City won the League Cup back in 2011 after beating Arsenal at the same time the club were relegated from Premier League (and have since never returned to Premier League), while Huddersfield Town played two seasons in Premier League, narrowly avoided the relegation on their first attempt back in 2017/18.

When the manager has that kind of detailed and high level apprenticeship, it’s not surprising to see him having success. But the speed at which he’s changed the entire club around is remarkable. Excited to see what he can orchestrate next season…

Im so proud of my club. Whatever happens we have achieved something special on this journey 💙

Luongo and broadhead were signed in the 22/23 january window not 21/22. Also broadhead was a permanent signing and davis made 18 assists not 21. Worth a mention too that paul cooks 17 odd signings was crucial for us. He cleared the deadwood and signed the likes of chaplin burns hladky walton morsy burgess who are all brilliant players for us in the division above.

While i'm not an ipswich fan, I am Australian, and to see two more australians in the premier league is brilliant, especially for Cameron Burgess, who has been great for the national team as we make our way to 3rd round world cup qualifiers. having more players in the prem and in the other top 5 leagues should really strengthen the socceroos and ensure we get to the 2026 world cup and hopefully progress to the round of 16 again!

I only came to know about Ipswich Town because of Massimo Luongo, Cameron Burgess and Elkan Baggott, hah. About Massimo Luongo, for us, he represents a painful chapter when he was the one to score one of the two goals in the 2015 Asian Cup final and made our beloved star Son Heung-min to cry on the field after losing the final again. Don't think he has become so instrumental for Ipswich this time around.

And to think, The Irish Guy predicted Ipswich to finish bottom...😂

I could watch videos like this all day long. Its been an age since we were able to hear positive things about our club. Its been a long wait but its worth it

You should do a "What on Earth is going on at Dundalk?" video. Won 5 out of 6 League of Ireland titles between 2015-2019 but are currently at the bottom of the table now...

I’m old enough to remember what a fine side they were under Bobby Robson and how unlucky they were to not win the league. Nice to see them back in the Premier League.

What a great analysis of my clubs rise from complete misery only a few years ago. Keiran McKenna and Mark Ashton have transformed this club. I realised in March that history could repeat itself from last season at Leeds expense and was ecstatic when it happened on Saturday. I am one of those fans who cannot get a ticket yet have supported the club from the mid 1970's to the present and had a season ticket for decades at a time, replacing the Cobbold Stand is essential. It is the how the club have achieved all this that you mostly outline well (btw the full houses were helped by a modest drop in ticket prices but you couldn't be expected to know that, which is something I suggested in a BBC TV interview over 10 years ago). Uppa Towen. Let's see where the next episode of this story takes the club.

As a Huddersfield Town fan I felt compelled to watch this video, it is brilliant. The contrasting fortunes of "my" team and Ipswich Town is quite remarkable. Well done Ipswich for making some wonderful decisions, as opposed to the ones made by HTFC over the last few years. Hopefully 24-25 season won't be a disaster, like so many newly promoted teams in the past and if McKenna stays the future looks bright. Good luck to all concerned, we might be up there to join you in 2 seasons.

As an Ipswich town fan and a longtime HITC viewer it's been a long wait for a video on my club but it couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks for the great video Alfie!

I'm an Ipswich Town FC fan. I've been following your channel for some time. The mood in Ipswich is this can't be real because we have two major demographics. An older generation who have seen the golden age and are thus demoralised, and a younger generation who are zealous in their support and wish to see the days their grandparents and parents saw.

As an Ipswich fan it still hasn’t sunk in yet, after almost 20 years of decline and dropping to league one I was resigned to a long spell in the lower leagues especially dark during the pandemic years where social media was the only outlet. The new owners completely changed the atmosphere at the club. I was sad when Paul Cook, the self proclaimed ‘demolition man’ left as he brought in a good core of players and things were starting to click, but looking back what a decision it was to get McKenna. Having seen up close what he has done every week for the last two and a half seasons I can safely say he is our successor to Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson. Two absolutely freakish seasons where we have needed mammoth points totals to get promotion on the bounce and he has fostered a culture to get there. Telling people over the last couple of years that he is a prodigy naturally people have been dismissive but they’ll see in due course if they haven’t already.

I've been waiting for the day you released this video I am so proud of the boys and whats been achieved at my club, it was phenomenal to be in Ipswich on Saturday and see it unfold

Really looking forward to having Ipswich back! 🤗 Dear Tractor Boys, Welcome to the Prem 🥳

Great summary. I think our most promising player is Tuanzebe. He came as a free agent after a long term injury but he is immensely powerful, quick, has very good feet and is always calm. His positioning is not always great and he does not roam forward in the way Davies does but we look a lot more solid when he is in the team. Like all the other players he has greatly improved over the season.

As an ITFC fan I congratulate you on the telling of the story of our meteoric rise leaving no stone unturned and a great watch. Well done

I was just looking for a video to fall asleep to. Thanks for the convenient upload. Love from 🇺🇸.

I remember when the United fanbase was calling McKenna and Carrick “amateurs” and basically blamed them for everything because Mark Goldbridge said they aren’t proper coaches. Im so happy both have showcased themselves as brilliant coaches and further solidifies these clowns on social media have no clue what they spew out to the fanbase who are easily manipulated by them.

It was marcus evan’s who paid off our debts btw. Attesting to our issues, he lost 60 million selling the club

Was wondering when this video would get made, but the timing is impeccable. Ipswich are a great story. Incidentally, thanks for covering Kieran McKenna's full background. Most media have reduced him to 'ex Man Utd coach McKenna', which is equally parts infuriating and expected. As much for Spurs as United, he might be the one who got away.

Thumbs up if you were their when the first Russian to play for Ipswich scored on his debut

The only shock in how Ipswich got beaten by Newport County in the EFL Cup is how did County win One-Nil, and is that from a County Supporter who travelled there and back. Looking at the stats from the BBC Website it is still a surprise to me. Ipswich should have scored several goals that night, and even when I got back home and for the net few days is wondering how County won that game. Great to see Ipsiwch have back to back promotions and hope they survive in the Premier League.

I remember watching Massimo luongo in the Asian cup that Australia won with ange. For his age he was great so it’s good to see him make it

Norwich fan here, I was actually pleased for Ipswich to get out of the doldrums and for us to be playing them again. I’m definitely not pleased they’ve managed to leapfrog us as I don’t have a lot of hope of playoff success, especially given our end of season form. I know a few Ipswich fans and one of them put it best, if you have a local rival what you really want is a proper rivalry where your teams are both good and they face off in some meaningful, well played matches. I laughed when Ipswich went down but it was also disappointing to not play (and beat) them for a while. Anyway, I hope they come straight back down.

I am watching Ipswich Town's progression and I have to say loving it. I hope all the best for Ipswich next season.

it still hasn’t suck in that ipswich town will be playing in the premier league. i was there the day we were relegated which was a depressing sight and i didn’t pay attention to ipswich from 2019-2021 because i saw no hope for us for years. not til marcus evans sold the club did i feel slightly better. these past 2 and a half years have gone by so fast i can’t believe it. breezing to the premier league across 2 seasons feels so unbelievable i have barely got used to the championship yet. i don’t think it will sink in til we actually play a game in the premier league.

great analysis, went to see them early in the season at Portman Rd thinking my team would give them a good game... we were blown away by them, they played fantastic football and atmosphere at the ground was brilliant.

Spot on! I've been fortunate to have been a club sponsor (and formally headline sponsor of the women's side) at Ipswich for a number of years. Mark Ashton and co have been amazing for the club. Also having an insight into seeing how they operate and how the club runs is something totally special. It's great to see us have our time in the sun and to remember we've got a good club (rather than the rubbish we had to put up with under the ME era). Good video Alfie, greatly enjoyed it!

I was ten years old when I saw my first game at Portman Road. Manchester United were in Town with the Trinity of Best, Law, and Charlton , we won against all logic. I'm still here to get misty eyed of all that followed. What gets me truly emotional is the 10 year olds who saw the 78 cup win, and later the 10 year olds that saw the playoff win in 2000, and now the 10 year olds that will watch L.F.C. on 17th of August in a few weeks time. Uppa Town.

Nicely produced Thankyou for your support. !!

What a superbly put together video. Balanced , interesting , informative and entertaining. Well done that man !

Great insight. One of the most accurate videos of what is/has actually happening at Ipswich the last few years. Good stuff.🔵⚪️👍🏻

It is crazy how fast Ipswich Town turned up. No one expected them to get promoted from the Championship especially with how strong the Division is this season. I think they will do just fine in the Premier League if they get some good summer signings. They just have to be careful about other Premier League teams poaching their players.

Thank you. Amazing! Beautifully put together.

Love these lower club videos. Thanks alfie

Excellent research and story telling! Thanks, Alfie! Uppa Towen! 💙

Love seeing stories like this in football. Doing things the right way and getting results

As an extremely loyal ITFC fan, I can say that the attitude it felt like we played with this season just gone, was that of "We will outscore you, no matter how many we concede" because we did not keep many clean sheets. But for the neutrals, no doubt, our matches were exciting!

Really enjoyed this video, nice one Alfie

It's a great story, a profound lesson in how to run a club and Alfie did a great job in telling it. I must point out Alfie, that this is your forte, as a maker of documentaries. I think that your opinion videos and list videos are substandard by comparison. Please carry on telling Football's great stories in your unique style.

I’m a Leeds fan, but Ipswich have been wonderful this year. A big club like Ipswich are a real sleeping giant. I still remember that amazing 00-01 season where Marcus Stewart was an absolute unit. Congratulations

This is a great video, and as Ipswich fans, this is a very very accurate summary. Great work.

This is truly an outstanding vlog. Well researched, informative with an excellent balance between facts and opinion. I salute you. I'm an Ipswich Town fan, with a love of German football, also. I've an unhealthy obsession, as my wife puts it with East German football, which again, you've covered really well. I've just put out my own vlog on our promotion last weekend, though I'm not a football vlogger.

This is an excellent and fairly presented commentary. Well done, Sir.

Simply a great watch, thanks.

Hi Alfie, just going to swing by, leave a like on the video and dip. Fair play Ipswich and well deserved promotion after the amazing season, but as a Norwich fan I won't be able to stomach the video 😅 otbc

This brings me such joy!

As an Ipswich fan, I've been hoping you'd make this video. :-)

This is exactly what saints did a few years ago. 2nd in League One after a dismal few years of uncertainty, then 2nd in the Championship the following season. I reckon they'll be in Europe soon.

Incredible job by Keiran . Crazy horses . Welcome to the premier league. I'm a West Ham fan but Ipswich Town is my 2nd team having grown up in Clacton . I've found myself looking forward more to Ipswich games than West hams . I hope you invest well and do well next season from an Ipswich loving unhappy hammer .

Cheers Alfie

Such a great story, especially for giving a young ambitious manager the chance to shine. Sounds like a proper down to earth chap from a lad I know who grew up with him, wouldn't be surprised for McKenna to be managing at the top for many a year to come. Shout out also to Needham Market, another Suffolk team to defy the odds against supposedly much stronger opposition this season

As a Leeds fan it sucks we didn't get second but fair play to Ipswich.

I was waiting to sit back, relax and enjoy this video

Always love these vids that give Gillingham even a fleeting mention

Nice video. Well put together. Brian Clough scored 250 career goals in 270 games for Sunderland and Middlesbrough and he also played for internationally for England. Marcus Evans wrote the debt off as part of the Gamechanger deal and also kept 5% ownership. Making the takeover worth over £120m. The previous pitch didn't have under soil heating, which is a premier league requirement, the past 3 years of investment have been to get Town where they now are. PREMIER LEAGUE

Oh I've been waiting for your video.

As a Ipswich fan it feels like vindication to see videos like this popping up over RU-vid and TikTok

Ipswich Town are one of my favourite footballing clubs daily and ever and of course,historically,they are a fantastic footballing ever since I knew them when I was a child,good friends!!!From the English League One during the 2020's to them winning successive promotions is remarkable for this real small footballing club,good friends!!!Fantastic team management coupled with discipline and being wise in the decisions with they would take and they are a success story in the English football,good friends!!!LONG LIVE,IPSWICH TOWN!!!🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️🏋🏻‍♂️

McKenna cracked the code by having the best backgrounds you can give yourself in Football Manager. The rest of the Championship had no chance.

So proud to call this team the club I have supported all my life especially since I have only seen decline more than anything until the last 3 years life gives you lemons sometimes

Thank you for doing this video, as a Norwich supporter who begrudgingly requested it. It's wild how McKenna has gone from unfancied to being talked about as a future Man United manager in just a couple years. Though if I were McKenna, I wouldn't touch that club. Each post-Fergie manager there has seen their reputation take a nosedive.

Comming from Leicester fan I love this there doing awesome 🎉

Ipswich were great under Sir Alf who knew Sir Bobby, who taught Moutinho, who worked with McKenna who is making Ipswich great again. It’s come full circle.

Ipswich Town has one notorious record of never losing at home in European competitions. Crazy when it happened many decades ago. By the way, a video about Australia's struggle to integrate in the AFC may have more worthy merit. Central Coast Mariners have just recently won the AFC Cup, making Australia the first AFC member to win the Asian Champions League and AFC Cup in the history. However, Australia's membership appears to be disliked by most Asian nations, except for Japan and South Korea (which were the only ones to welcome Australia back in 2006), and the Aussies are still trying to find way to play in the Asian continent. Understanding the deep hostility against Australia in Asia is needed to understand Australia's membership struggle.

Nice video thank you 💙⚽️

Alfie, you should look into Sheffield Wednesday's great escape. The last few months were magical for a basically doomed team on Christmas.

Hi Alfie, another great vid about a remarkable rise however I still think you should do a remarkable rise about Stockport County 🔵⚪️

Nice one, love it 👏👏

Incredible to be involved as a fan

Very little unites football fans like cheering on Ipswich. I can't think of any other club with such unanimous support

Finally a video where the Championship club owners is actually competent and running a club like an club rather than a business, those millions spent of stadium, pitches, and training grounds is already turning into profit 2 seasons in just by Broadcasting Income from the Premier League alone (£80+m btw). Hopefully Ipswich can become a consistent Premier League team from now on, seems like they invested in their infrastructure and foundation really well.

Congratulations to Ipswich I’m delighted for them Sir Bobby would be proud of them 👍👍👍

absolutely first class analyses - optimistic, but quite realistic!

Ipswich will be Iraq and Indonesia's favourite Premier League team in the next season because Ali Al-Hamadi and Elkan Baggott would probably making history for being the first player in their respective countries to play in the Premier League.

Now we need a portsmouth one to 😎

My takeaway from the first minute is that Kieran McKenna will succeed Gareth Southgate

Welcome back, from a Palace fan.

Grats guys thoroughly deserved you showed your mettle and got the job done 😎👍

Fantastic write up. I'm pulling for them next season in the EPL

Between this and the Wednesday escape its been a mental championship season!

This is how I learned Ipswich is getting promoted, glad to see a relatively fresh face with Leicester coming right back up and Leeds or Southampton potentially doing so, with Norwich and West Brom also having been in the PL recently

Hey Alfie, great video as always, just wanted to get your thoughts on Hull sacking Rosenior, as fellow Hull fan I couldn't be more disappointed that hes gone, thought he could do us well for next season

I went to first,middle and high school with Conor Chaplin who won the league 1 golden boot last season and was pivotal to their promotion this season

When Cook was sacked, I agreed with the decision, not based on results (I would have given him more time if it were only that), but because it was clear that the relationship had broken down with the higher ups and probably some of the players. The key was who was going to replace him, and that was the best appointment of someone I'd never heard of.

Great video

Great video! Get that end screen sorted

Well lads!

One of the great footballing stories!

I'm very happy for Pompey youth graduate Connor Chaplin to earn promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich. I'm gutted however that Kenny Jacket let him leave Portsmouth when he did - he's won promotion 3 times since then - once with Coventry and now twice with Ipswich!