1980-81: ITFC'S GREATEST SEASON

Dave Allard is a journalist who has covered the fortunes of Ipswich Town for more than 30 years. Here are his thoughts on our book 1980-81: The Greatest Season in Ipswich Town's History...

THE great French midfield monarch Michel Platini described Ipswich's 1980-81 season UEFA Cup winning side as being "one of the finest of all-time in England." It's a tribute that underlines in indelible ink just why football journalist Mel Henderson has written a bright and colourful book all about this Blue Heaven period.



1980-81: The Greatest Season in Ipswich Town's History is a fitting tribute to a campaign in which Sir Bobby Robson's side also finished second in the old First Division title race and reached the FA Cup last four. In-depth player stories from the glorious Portman Road squad throw new light on all sorts of aspects about a triumph that brought such esteem to Ipswich, Suffolk, England, Britain and indeed the vast continent of Europe itself.

White Space Design of Ipswich have beautifully presented a remarkable achievement by a provincial football club. Their managing director, Neil Prentice, gave a quote about the book that really struck me as being so poignant.

He said: "I once had the privilege of meeting Sir Bobby Robson, and he told me that he thought his team never quite received the recognition it deserved. Hopefully, 30 years on, this book will go some way to redress the balance. Mel Henderson has done a marvellous writing job, and hopefully the public will think we've done our bit well, too."

Sir Bobby once said that the way his Super Blues of '81 played was often poetry. To a supporter of the club, this splendid new book is poetry too. I found it so hard to put down.

Visit the 'Home Ground' tab on the book's Facebook page to find out where to buy a Limited Edition copy and follow the book on Twitter for the latest updates.

A donation from every copy sold will go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the ITFC Charitable Trust.