Ipswich Town have been promoted to the Championship at the end of a brilliant season. Here we bring you one photo to mark every game of the Blues' stunning campaign.
Ipswich Town's season began against Bolton (Image: Steve Waller)
1: Ipswich Town 1-1 Bolton Wanderers - July 30
The season began in July sunshine with Portman Road rocking and bubbling with expectation, following another promising summer. Town had to come from behind to draw, though, with Lee Evans equalising after Aaron Morley had opened the scoring. Skipper Sam Morsy could have won it late on.
Sam Morsy scored the winner at Forest Green (Image: Archant)
2: Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Ipswich Town - August 6
The season's first away game brought the first win, with Marcus Harness and Morsy on target in Gloucestershire.
Colchester ran out winners in the Carabao Cup at Portman Road
3: Ipswich Town 0-1 Colchester United (Carabao Cup) - August 9
A familiar theme continued as Town exited a cup competition at the first hurdle, this time with a Colchester side led by former Town skipper Luke Chambers coming out on top. Luke Hannant scored the goal after a mistake from Rekeem Harper.
Town's first home win of the season came against MK Dons (Image: Steve Waller)
4: Ipswich Town 3-0 MK Dons - August 13
Town were comfortable winners against MK Dons at Portman Road, with Wes Burns, Harness and Conor Chaplin on target.
Marcus Harness scored Town's winner at Burton (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)
5: Burton Albion 0-1 Ipswich Town - August 16
The Blues came under fire at the Pirelli Stadium, but came out on top thanks to Harness's sniper shot. There was plenty of positives to take from a mature display.
Tyreece John-Jules scored the pick of the goals as Town won in Shropshire (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)
6: Shrewsbury Town 0-3 Ipswich Town - August 20
The best goal of the day came from Tyreece John-Jules as Town won in Shropshire, with Chaplin and Kayden Jackson also netting.
Marcus Harness had a perfectly good goal ruled out (Image: (C) Copyright Stephen Waller)
7: Ipswich Town 2-2 Barnsley - August 27
Town led twice and lost two advantages in this game, but it will be remembered for Harness having a perfectly good goal ruled out which would have won it for Town. You can see Burns above, spotting the referee's signal as Harness celebrates.
Freddie Ladapo opened the scoring against Southampton (Image: Steve Waller)
8: Ipswich Town 6-0 Northampton Town (Papa John's Trophy) - August 30
The season's first outing in the Trophy saw a comfortable win, thanks to two more Harness goals and first strikes of the season for Greg Leigh, George Edmundson, Cameron Burgess and Freddie Ladapo.
Conor Chaplin celebrates at Accrington (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)
9: Accrington Stanley 0-2 Ipswich Town - September 3
Oh, Accrington. So often the scurge of Ipswich Town seasons past. Not this time, though - Chaplin came off the bench to score twice and win it.
Lee Evans celebrates against Bristol Rovers (Image: Archant)
10: Ipswich Town 2-0 Bristol Rovers - September 13
The Blues' first battle of the season with old foe Joey Barton ended with an ultimately comfortable victory under the lights - and the Gas down to 10 men. Chaplin and Evans were on target on the night Portman Road paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Town drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)
11: Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Ipswich Town - September 17
Town were 2-0 up at Hillsborough, thanks to goals from Jackson and a Dominic Iorfa own goal. They were pegged back, though, with George Byers netting the first for the Owls before Michael Smith netted from what looked like an offside position.
12: Ipswich Town 2-0 Arsenal Under 21s (Papa John's Trophy) - September 20
Dom Ball and Ladapo were on target in this one, as the young Gunners were pushed aside.
Christian Walton so nearly scored an equaliser for Town at Plymouth (Image: Archant)
13: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Ipswich Town - September 25
Argyle inflicted a first league loss of the season on Town, as Bali Mumba and Morgan Whittaker scored from range to cancel out Ladapo's opener. Christian Walton so nearly scored a dramatic equaliser, but saw his header saved by opposite number Michael Cooper at the death.
Wes Burns scored the winner against Portsmouth
14: Ipswich Town 3-2 Portsmouth - October 1
This felt like a really big moment for Ipswich, as they bounced back perfectly from the loss at Plymouth. Burns ultimately scored the winner, after goals from Harness and Ladapo had been cancelled out by a pair of Colby Bishop penalties. Kieran McKenna's strong words after the game, calling out Danny Cowley's attempts 'to trap and trick' Ipswich with 'false kindess' felt very important.
15: Ipswich Town 3-0 Cambridge United - October 4
This was the night Kyle Edwards made his mark on the season, coming off the bench and scoring twice as Town finally found a way through in the second half.
Kieran McKenna and Richard Keogh hug after the win at Morecambe (Image: (C) Phill Heywood- All Rights Reserved- tel 07973 697602)
16: Morecambe 1-2 Ipswich Town - October 8
Town came from a goal down to win this one, with Edmundson and Evans netting on an afternoon where Chaplin missed a penalty.
Town were frustrated at home by Lincoln (Image: Steve Waller)
17: Ipswich Town 0-1 Lincoln City - October 15
Town's one and only home loss in the league came on an afternoon where the Blues had 33 shots at goal. Ben House won it for the Imps.
Kyle Edwards was sent off early at Cambridge (Image: Steve Waller)
18: Cambridge United 1-0 Ipswich Town (Papa John's Trophy) - October 18
Edwards' early red card ruined Town's plan for this game, in what was a dead rubber in any case.
Wes Burns celebrates his winner against Derby (Image: Steve Waller)
19: Ipswich Town 1-0 Derby County - October 21
What a night this was for Town, under the lights and wearing their extremely popular black third kit for the first time. Burns raised the roof with a winner in front of the North Stand in the second half.
Cameron Humphreys scored for Town at Port Vale (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976935738)
20: Port Vale 2-3 Ipswich Town - October 25
On a night when skipper Morsy was suspended, Cameron Humphreys came of age with a goal from outside the box and a brilliant performance, as a Ladapo brace helped hold off the Valiants.
Town were pegged back in stoppage time at Charlton (Image: Page Pix Ltd)
21: Charlton Athletic 4-4 Ipswich Town - October 29
As dramatic an afternoon as you will ever find. Goals from Morsy and Ladapo put Town 4-2 up in stoppage time at The Valley, in front of a packed away end, but there was an almighty sting in the tail to come, as George Dobson scored the leveller with almost the final touch of the game. How would Town react to this?
Ipswich Town won 3-0 at Bracknell in the FA Cup (Image: Pagepix)
22: Bracknell Town 0-3 Ipswich Town (FA Cup) - November 7
The draw for the first round of the FA Cup sent Town to the minnows of Bracknell, in a game televised live by ITV. The cameras were at Bottom Meadow for an upset, but they didn't get one as Town put in a professional display to progress.
Panutche Camara hit the post in the final seconds (Image: Steve Waller)
23: Ipswich Town 1-1 Cheltenham - November 12
Another frustrating afternoon at Portman Road, where Ryan Broom levelled after Woolfenden's early opener. Panutche Camara hit the post in the final seconds.
Freddie Ladapo finished a good Ipswich move at Exeter (Image: Ross Halls)
24: Exeter City 0-2 Ipswich Town - November 19
In what was a tricky assignment against a frisky side, Ladapo and Harness netted to secure victory in a dominant Ipswich display.
Marcus Harness suffered an injury against Portsmouth (Image: Ross Halls)
25: Ipswich Town 0-2 Portsmouth (Papa John's Trophy) - November 22
Town exited the Trophy with a limp home loss, which also cost them Harness to injury.
Town eased past Buxton in the FA Cup (Image: Ross Halls)
26: Ipswich Town 4-0 Buxton (FA Cup) - November 27
Another cup game and another comfortable victory over a non-league side, with a brace coming from Chaplin in addition to goals for Gassan Ahadme and Jackson. Buxton had former Blue Tommy Miller in the dugout.
Fleetwood scored a horribly late equaliser at Portman Road (Image: Steve Waller)
27: Ipswich Town 1-1 Fleetwood Town - December 2
This felt like a mugging. Woolfenden scored early before Fleetwood netted a horrible, deflected, equaliser deep into stoppage time. Former Town player Josh Earl was sent off for his ridiculously over the top celebrations.
Conor Chaplin's brace was enough to beat Peterborough (Image: Steve Waller)
28: Ipswich Town 2-1 Peterborough United - December 10
Another big win, thanks to a brace from Chaplin. Town were showing they can do it against the bigger sides in the league.
Town were frustrated at Wycombe (Image: Ross Halls)
29: Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Ipswich Town - December 17
Undermanned Town suffered what proved to be their penultimate defeat of the season at Adams Park. They didn't really have an answer to the Chairboys in this one.
Freddie Ladapo opened the scoring against Oxford (Image: Steve Waller)
30: Ipswich Town 3-0 Oxford United - December 26
Boxing Day was a celebration for Ipswich as, after weathering an early storm, they cut loose to win easily. Ladapo, Burns and Chaplin were on target.
Conor Chaplin scored Ipswich Town's equaliser against Portsmouth (Image: Page Pix)
31: Portsmouth 2-2 Ipswich Town - December 29
The Blues needed Chaplin to rescue a point against his former club in the final game of 2022, levelling matters late on after Cameron Burgess had struck earlier to cancel out Marlon Pack's early free-kick.
Cameron Humphreys rescued a draw at Lincoln (Image: Pagepix Ltd)
32: Lincoln City 1-1 Ipswich Town - January 2
Town played half of the opening game of 2023 against 10 men, but couldn't break the Imps down, fell behind, then needed a late goal from Humphreys to rescue a point.
George Hirst was watching Ipswich Town's victory over Rotherham from the stands (Image: Ross Halls)
33: Ipswich Town 4-1 Rotherham United (FA Cup) - January 7
Town had their chance to test themselves against Championship opposition here and passed with flying colours. They were the better side throughout, with Humphreys, Chaplin, Ladapo and Burns all on target. Town fans also got their first sight of George Hirst, who watched from the stands and signed soon after.
Marcus Stewart attended Ipswich Town's game with Plymouth (Image: Ross Halls)
34: Ipswich Town 1-1 Plymouth Argyle - January 14
In a clash between the eventual top two, Town took the lead through Wes Burns before Mumba (him again) levelled late on for Argyle, breaking Ipswich hearts at the end of an even game. There were emotional scenes at half-time, when legend Marcus Stewart addressed the crowd on a day where there was an outpouring of love for a special man battling serious illness.
The farce in the fog at Oxford (Image: Pagepix Ltd)
35: Oxford United 2-1 Ipswich Town - January 21
Little did we know that this was Town's final defeat of the league season. It came in bizarre circumstances, with heavy fog making visibility almost impossible and confusion over whether the game should have been abandoned. It wasn't, with Cameron Brannagan scoring late for the hosts.
Harry Clarke made his home debut against Morecambe (Image: Steve Waller)
36: Ipswich Town 4-0 Morecambe - January 24
Two braces - one from Ladapo and the other from Chaplin - did the business on a night where Harry Clarke stole the show during a hugely impressive Portman Road debut.
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany (Image: Steve Waller)
37: Ipswich Town 0-0 Burnley (FA Cup) - January 28
The Blues gave as good as they got against a Burnley side destined for the Premier League. Clarets manager Vincent Kompany had some very kind words to say about the Blues, with the two teams set to do it all again in a replay.
Ipswich Town needed Christian Walton to produce a vital penalty save at Cambridge (Image: Pagepix)
38: Cambridge United 1-1 Ipswich Town - February 4
Town were a long way from their best in this one and, after falling behind, needed Walton to save a Joe Ironside penalty before the break. Ladapo equalised in the second half but there was to be no winner.
Ipswich Town put in an excellent display at Burnley (Image: Pagepix)
39: Burnley 2-1 Ipswich Town - February 7
Another clash against Kompany's Clarets, this time getting off to a rapid start as Nathan Tella's early strike was cancelled out a minute later by Hirst's first Ipswich goal. Town's tired legs eventually gave out, with Tella winning it in stoppage time, but they gave Burnley an almighty scare.
Nathan Broadhead scored before half-time against Sheffield Wednesday (Image: Steve Waller)
40: Ipswich Town 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday - February 11
This game feels like a real turning point. Wednesday went 2-0 up and had a chance to make it three, only for Smith to miss a big chance. Nathan Broadhead's first Ipswich goal, just before half-time, grabbed a foothold before Davis had a deflected free-kick hit the back of the net just after the break. Town had rescued a point.
Town endured a tough night at Bristol Rovers (Image: Pagepix)
41: Bristol Rovers 0-0 Ipswich Town - February 14
This wasn't a Valentine's Day to remember for the Blues, as they failed to break down a stubborn Gas side and needed a goalline clearance from Woolfenden to rescue a point. Skipper Morsy and a small group of supporters exchanged words at full-time, on a night where it felt like automatic promotion chances were drifting.
Leif Davis and Conor Chaplin celebrate against Forest Green (Image: Steve Waller)
42: Ipswich Town 4-0 Forest Green Rovers - February 18
Drifting? Town's promotion hopes were about to surge - we just didn't know it yet. Lowly FGR were always likely to be well-beaten and they were, with Chaplin's brace and goals from Ladapo and Broadhead securing a routine win. It was the first of many.
Nearly 7,000 fans followed Ipswich Town to MK Dons (Image: Pagepix)
43: MK Dons 0-1 Ipswich Town - February 25
This win was tighter, with Morsy needing to fire in from range to secure victory in front of nearly 7,000 away fans.
Conor Chaplin scored twice in Town's victory over Burton (Image: Steve Waller)
44: Ipswich Town 4-0 Burton Albion - March 4
Another routine home win for the Blues as momentum began to build. Two for Chaplin and one each for Broadhead and Ladapo.
Town were 3-0 winners over Accrington at Portman Road (Image: Steve Waller)
45: Ipswich Town 3-0 Accrington Stanley - March 7
Town's train was beginning to roll, with Broadhead, Jackson and Edwards ultimately on target in this one.
The Town players celebrate Cameron Burgess' second goal at Bolton (Image: Ross Halls)
46: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Ipswich Town - March 11
The day things moved up a gear. Ipswich were excellent in this game, with Hirst giving the Blues a first-half lead before Walton was required to make a second vital penalty save of the season. Burgess completed the job after the break.
Massimo Luongo scored for Town against Shrewsbury (Image: Steve Waller)
47: Ipswich Town 2-0 Shrewsbury Town - March 18
Another comfortable afternoon for the Blues, with Hirst's strike added to by Massimo Luongo, who netted his first Ipswich goal in over a decade.
Conor Chaplin finished off a brilliant counter-attack move at Derby (Image: Pagepix)
48: Derby County 0-2 Ipswich Town - April 1
One of the best days of the season saw Ipswich secure a brilliant win at Derby, where Chaplin struck first by converting a stunning counter-attack before Hirst made the points safe. Another statement made. Things were getting serious.
Ed Sheeran watched on as Town beat Wycombe (Image: Steve Waller)
49: Ipswich Town 4-0 Wycombe Wanderers - April 7
Another game, another win and another four goals as Hirst, Chaplin, Burns and Ladapo netted in a comfortable Easter victory in front of a packed Portman Road crowd, which included superstar fan Ed Sheeran.
Conor Chaplin had given Ipswich the lead at Cheltenham (Image: Pagepix Ltd)
50: Cheltenham Town 1-1 Ipswich Town - April 10
A very rare blip for the Town juggernaught came at Whaddon Road, where a late error saw Alfie May wipe out Chaplin's opener. Town remained third.
Conor Chaplin scored a hat-trick against Charlton (Image: Steve Waller)
51: Ipswich Town 6-0 Charlton Athletic - April 15
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. Ipswich hit Charlton for six at Portman Road, cutting loose to blow the Addicks away. Chaplin led the way with a hat-trick, with Ladapo's brace and a late Davis strike adding gloss and moving Town into the top two.
Nathan Broadhead's double saved the day against Port Vale (Image: Steve Waller)
52: Ipswich Town 2-1 Port Vale - April 18
How are your nerves? Town fell behind in this one but Broadhead saved the day, equalising before showing nerves of steel to net a late penalty. Breath...
The Ipswich Town players celebrate after Wes Burns' first-half goal at Peterborough (Image: Pagepix)
53: Peterborough United 0-3 Ipswich Town - April 22
With Vale beaten, two tough games came into view as the Blues first went to Peterborough before a visit to Barnsley. Town's game at London Road went perfectly, though, with Burns' first-half goal added two by Chaplin and Ladapo after the break to increase the feeling of belief washing over Ipswich.
George Hirst doubled Town's advantage at Oakwell (Image: Pagepix)
Conor Chaplin celebrates Town's third goal at Barnsley (Image: Pagepix Ltd)
Ipswich celebrate in front of 5,000 away fans at Barnsley (Image: Pagepix)
Harry Clarke celebrates with a fist pump at Barnsley (Image: Pagepix Ltd)
54: Barnsley 0-3 Ipswich Town - April 25
An incredible night for Ipswich. It felt like the evening when promotion was truly secured. Barnsley didn't know what hit them just before half-time, as Broadhead and Hirst scored two quick goals to put the Blues in control. Chaplin made it three in the second half, sending the 5,000 away fans wild, as the Blues put one foot in the Championship.
Huge crowds welcomed Town to Portman Road (Image: Steve Waller)
Ipswich blew Exeter away to secure promotion (Image: Steve Waller)
The Town players celebrate promotion a full-time (Image: Steve Waller)
Kieran McKenna is given the bumps after Town won promotion (Image: Steve Waller)
55: Ipswich Town 6-0 Exeter City - April 29
A day which will live long in the memory of every Ipswich Town fan. It started with packed streets, banners and clouds of blue smoke to welcome the team and, with only 30 minutes on the clock, we all knew the job was done. There were no signs of nerves whatsoever, with Chaplin, Luongo, Hirst, Broadhead and then Chaplin again putting Town 5-0 up at the break. Burns made it six, before wild celebrations began at full-time and continued long into the night.
McKenna waves to the Town fans on the final day at Fleetwood (Image: Warren Page)
56: Fleetwood Town 2-2 Ipswich Town - May 7
With promotion already secured, Town could wrap up the title on the final day if they bettered Plymouth's result at Port Vale. Argyle showed their character by coming from behind to win 3-1, though, meaning whatever Ipswich did the trophy was out of reach. The game ended 2-2, with Ladapo giving Town the lead before Harness needed to equalise after former Blue Jack Marriott had netted twice. Town were all smiles at the final whistle, though, as they enjoyed the final moments of the season with supporters.
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