East Anglian derby splits fans on county border

Katharine Ricks has a shop in Bungay, Suffolk, and is firmly behind Ipswich Town

It is not just the love and passion for their teams that splits Norwich City and Ipswich Town fans.

The market town of Bungay sits on the border between the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

And while it is in Suffolk, it is also the hometown of Canaries manager Liam Manning.

The two sides clash this weekend at Portman Road in the first East Anglian derby of the season. With loyalties split, what do the people of Bungay think ahead of the big match?

Roy is behind Norwich

Bungay resident Roy said it will be the Canaries who will take all three points.

"I think it will be 2-1 Norwich.

"And I think you'll find there are more Norwich supporters in Bungay than there are Ipswich," he added.

Meanwhile, Katharine Ricks, who runs a craft shop, is firmly behind Ipswich.

Asked where her affinities lay, she said: "Well, it would have to be with Ipswich Town.

"I grew up in Woodbridge [in Suffolk] and all through my teenage years I supported Ipswich and I used to go to Portman Road every Tuesday with my boyfriend.

"I absolutely loved watching them."

She added that while the boyfriend did not last, her love of Ipswich Town did.

Brigitta Lantos said the team at the bar she co-owns were all for Norwich

Brigitta Lantos, who works at a bar and restaurant in the town, said: "So our colours here are green and yellow so we are definitely supporting Norwich - so, crossing [our] fingers for the Norwich team."

She said while a number of Canaries fans came into the bar, "probably not so many from Ipswich".

Ms Lantos said she definitely thought Norwich would win and, although Bungay is in Suffolk, said "we are not so far from Norwich".

She said the whole team of about 25 staff was supporting Norwich.

Margaret Davy said her loyalties were split - almost

Margaret Davy was born in Bungay and admitted her loyalties might be a little divided.

"My husband supports Norwich, but my son and granddaughter both support Ipswich," she said.

She admitted she hoped Ipswich would win because her granddaughter would be going to Sunday's derby and was "so excited about going... so I think I'll support Ipswich".

Ms Davy said her family knew the Norwich City boss Liam Manning's family quite well.

"He's a Bungay boy," she said.

But she added she would still be supporting Ipswich.

About 2,000 Norwich City supporters are expected to be among the sell-out crowd of just under 30,000 at Portman Road for Sunday's 12:00 BST kick-off against Ipswich Town.