Town strike first blow

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
6:00 AM

IPSWICH Town stars of the past struck the first blow ahead of the club renewing derby rivalries with Norwich City next season.

An Ipswich Town Legends team defeated their Norwich City counterparts 2-1 at Great Yarmouth Football Club on Sunday.

Goals from Alex Mathie and David Johnson gave Town a 2-1 victory at Wellesley Road with Darren Huckerby replying for City from the penalty sport.

The match was organised by ex-Canary Dale Gordon, who runs the Legends Lounge at the Bloaters’ ground.

The match was held just 24 hours after Norwich confirmed their return to the Coca-Cola Championship after an absence of one season.

City’s promotion was welcomed by former Town midfielder Matt Holland who now presents the BBC1 football show Late Kick Off.

He said: “I think it is a fantastic achievement and a great turnaround from seen at the start of the season.

The football has been excellent, Norwich have some great goal scorers, but it has been real team effort.

“It is fantastic for football in the East Anglia that the local derby is back next season.”

Norwich stars of the past also spoke of their delight at the club’s swift return to the Championship.

Former striker Iwan Roberts praised manager Paul Lambert and the team for securing promotion from League One at the first attempt.

Now a football pundit with BBC Wales, Roberts said: “It is fantastic news and thoroughly deserved and even better that promotion was achieved at Charlton where the team was relegated last year.

“I am delighted to see the side back in the Championship - Paul Lambert deserves so much credit, he has done a great job.

“I think they will do well next season – the manager will strengthen the squad with two or three new players.

“There is no reason why they can’t achieve a top sixth finish.”

Two-time player of the season Darren Huckerby said he was looking forward to seeing Championship football at Carrow Road next season.

He added: “It is great for the city and the club, we didn’t belong in League One. The Championship will be a big step up, it is far superior, but the team have what it takes to do well.

“They will have to strengthen, but I certainly expect to us establish ourselves as a Championship side.”

Fellow ex frontman Dion Dublin shared Huckerby’s confidence that the Canaries would take the step up in their stride.

“A club like Norwich shouldn’t be in the third tier of English football. The manager and players deserve all the plaudits they are getting.

“I think the team will do well in the Championship and the manager will strengthen the squad with some new signings.”