Ipswich Town and Norwich City fans praise 'underrated' derby

Ipswich and Norwich fans are looking forward to their teams' first clash for nearly five years - but who will claim the "Pride of Anglia" title?

Ipswich Town and Norwich City are preparing to meet again for the first time in nearly five years. But just what does the East Anglian derby mean to fans and players?

It may not have the profile of Celtic vs Rangers, Liverpool vs Everton or Citv vs United, but don't try telling fans of Ipswich and Norwich the East Anglian derby isn't every bit as passionate.

The twice-yearly clashes were once an ever-present on the fixture list - until promotion and relegation intervened.

Supporters have had to do without their dose of derby excitement since 10 February 2019.

Norwich won 3-0 that day, going on to win the Championship and promotion to the Premier League, while Ipswich finished bottom and were relegated to League One.

Now both clubs are in the Championship once more, and one of the most keenly awaited clashes in the football calendar - jokingly dubbed the Old Farm derby - is back on.

This time, it's Ipswich whose form has been more impressive. Currently second, they are well ahead of their rivals, who sit firmly mid-table.

The clubs meet on Saturday lunchtime at Portman Road.

'Put us together and fireworks tend to happen'

Rich Woodward says a win for Ipswich will make his Christmas and New Year

Ipswich fan Rich Woodward, 40, believes the importance of the derby is "massively underrated".

"On social media you often see Top 10 football derbies, and we always get left out," he says.

"The fact that the two teams are 45 miles apart and in two different counties gives it an added dimension.

"It's the first fixture all of us look for and both clubs' seasons are worse for not having it."

But that does not mean Rich, a host of the Blue Monday Podcast, enjoys derby day.

"There's just so much pressure," he says.

"We don't have the best of records against Norwich in recent years, so there is a sense of foreboding."

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Passions tend to run high, and for years now police have insisted on an early kick-off in a bid to minimise crowd trouble.

"There's no love lost between supporters but away from derby day, fans of both clubs are probably among the nicest in the 92 [league clubs]," says Rich, of Ipswich.

"We're pragmatic but passionate about our clubs, but put us together and fireworks tend to happen."

His earliest derby memory is from almost exactly 30 years ago when Ipswich triumphed 2-1 at Portman Road, with the help of a Gary Megson own goal.

Ipswich have enjoyed more success than their local rivals so far this season, but will form count for anything on derby day?

His favourite, however, remains Town's 5-0 win in February 1998. "I can't remember too many louder cheers than when Alex Mathie's first goal went in," he says.

More recent memories have been less happy, with the 2019 match especially bitter.

"If we beat them Saturday, all of that pain goes away. There is apprehension, but if we win that's my Christmas and New Year made," says Rich.

'All friendships are put on hold'

Terri Westgate says Norwich's 3-0 victory over Ipswich in 2019 was "the best day ever"

Just like Rich, Norwich City fan Terri Westgate says the derby matches are the first she looks for when the fixtures are published.

She, too, believes its significance is not always appreciated outside the region.

"If you actually live here, it really is massive," she says.

"There isn't another fixture like it. We have our rivalries with other teams but we don't have that same long history as neighbours."

Terri, 49, grew up in Lowestoft which, although in Suffolk, is nearer Norwich than Ipswich and is home to fans from both sides.

Derby day was when the tribal divisions were most marked.

"You would see people wearing their Ipswich shirts if they had won, and Norwich shirts if we had won. The result could really affect your week ahead," says Terri.

"I can still be friends with Ipswich fans; I can still be civil to them, but I might not talk to them on the day - all friendships are put on hold."

Norwich City have had the better of recent clashes, including on 22 October 2017, when they won 1-0 at Portman Road

Unsurprisingly, her favourite derbies include 2019's, when City won 3-0 and Town boss - and former Norwich manager - Paul Lambert was sent off.

"We were getting promoted and they we getting relegated - it was the best day ever," she says.

Another highlight was City's 4-1 victory in 2010, when Grant Holt scored a hat-trick.

But with City now trailing their rivals in the Championship, she admits: "Norwich fans are really nervous.

"We haven't lost to them in a long time. Now Ipswich are one of the form teams and we are really struggling.

"With Norwich fans, not everybody is happy with the team, the manager, the head coach. That adds its own pressure.

"If you're top of the table you're dreading it - and if you're bottom of the table you're dreading it."

The 'Old Farm' derby

• The clubs first met on 15 November 1902, when Norwich won 1-0

• Their first Football League clash was on 2 September 1939, the day before Britain and France declared war on Germany

• In total, the clubs have met 148 times with Ipswich notching up 60 wins to Norwich's 58, with 30 draws

• Take friendlies out of the equation and Norwich have the upper hand, with 47 wins to Ipswich's 45, and 23 draws

• In recent years, the Canaries have dominated, with no Ipswich win since 2009

'My neighbour left a bottle of whisky on my doorstep'

Alex Mathie, now 54, still has his match ball from 1998 when he scored a hat-trick

Former Ipswich striker Alex Mathie says the February 1998 derby - when his first-half hat-trick propelled Town to a 5-0 win - was a "probably the highlight" of his career.

"I scored a hat-trick against Sunderland but I never got the same recognition I got for the Norwich game. That day was just awesome, right from the word go," he tells BBC Radio Suffolk.

"We'd worked on a throw-in with [then assistant manager] Bryan Hamilton during the week... and it worked to a tee - one of the best strikes of my career for the first goal, so it was fantastic to see that go in.

"You do get caught up in the atmosphere when the fans are shouting and screaming - every kick of the ball, every tackle, you can feel them on your back or to push you through. It's a great occasion - a great experience to play in."

The adrenaline helped him ignore the calf strain that eventually forced him off.

"I was just really pleased that the team won, and then Bobby [Petta] came on as my sub and scored two, so it was great day for Ipswich at that time."

Mathie, now 54, still has the match ball, signed by his team-mates. "It's a bit flat now," he says.

Victory brought other rewards, too.

"My neighbour left me a bottle of whisky on the doorstep," he remembers.

"I'd been in the place two years and never spoke to him. He said, 'You've just made my year!'"

'I went into the game like I was going into a fight'

Leon McKenzie may have retired from football, but admits he would still love to play for Norwich on Saturday

Leon McKenzie had a dream debut for Norwich City, scoring twice in their 2-0 win against Ipswich at Portman Road in December 2003.

McKenzie, now 45, remembers then-manager Nigel Worthington telling him: "'I just need to let you know one thing... it's a derby game. It's the biggest game... it's against Ipswich, so no pressure!'

"And I was like 'Ok, I'm ready!' and that, literally, was that and I went into the game like I was going into a fight."

McKenzie scored after 37 and 76 minutes to give Norwich fans an early Christmas present.

"When I hear the commentary and you go back, that memory - it does something to me every time," he tells BBC Radio Norfolk's The Scrimmage.

"Sometimes I'm like 'Was that me?' I sometimes don't believe it. I was an incredible moment. I always get quite overwhelmed with it."

And though his football career is now behind him, he admits he would "absolutely love" to be playing on Saturday.

"Unfortunately my body has been in too many wars, so I'm paying for it now... So, as much as I'd love to come and be a part of that again... I'd have to let one of the younger gen come and have their time and do their thing," he says.