Ipswich Town Women 'buzzing' for Portman Road debut

Ipswich Town Women's captain Maria Boswell has called the Portman Road pitch a "carpet"

Ipswich Town Women's captain Maria Boswell has said that playing at Portman Road Stadium will be a "massive occasion" for the team.

The club announced earlier this week that the women's team would make its debut appearance at the football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, and described it as a "landmark day".

The team will face Chatham Town in the Southern Premier Division on 23 March.

Manager Joe Sheehan said he hoped it would "inspire" young footballers.

Boswell took on the captain's role earlier in the season

The captain said her team-mates heard the news together.

"We found out as a team, and it came as a bit of a shock to us all.

"It's a really big stadium and something we have all wanted for a while, so we are all buzzing for it."

The club will be opening all four stands at Portman Road, in anticipation of a big crowd

The team normally play their home games at the AGL Arena - Felixstowe & Walton United's stadium.

Boswell added that the Portman Road surface will help the game of the players.

"We're a ball-playing team, which likes to work in tight areas. To play on a carpet like Portman Road is going to help us play the football we want to play.

"I love going down there on a Saturday. I've always had in the back of my mind, 'Maybe one day, I will have the opportunity to walk out onto that pitch and play in front of a crowd there.'

"I'm so happy it's finally going to happen."

The Tractor Girls have played at MK Dons' Stadium MK and Plymouth Argyle's Home Park

While it will be a Portman Road debut for the Blues, league clubs from across the pyramid have been hosting women's games.

"We've seen it with other clubs. Newcastle got around 30,000 [people] to one of its games at St James' Park.

"It shows that there is a demand for it, people do want to come and support the women's side of their club as much as they support the men's."

The previous record spectator attendance for the team was about 2,000 at the AGL Arena

Boswell added: "The club is really getting behind us, and is not doing it by halves.

"It will be a great occasion for everyone."

Joe Sheehan has said this side is the "most together" he has managed

Boswell was appointed captain earlier this season and will lead the team out at Portman Road.

"It adds a little bit more pride knowing I will lead the girls out, but it'll be a massive occasion for all of us."

Joe Sheehan said playing at Portman Road could be a "catalyst for more positive change"

The team's manager, Joe Sheehan, recently celebrated five years in the role. He said the breakthrough would pay dividends for his team.

"We hope we can showcase a level that can influence and inspire supporters and children to either start playing football, or one day play for Ipswich Town," he said.

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