Coming To Cov - Ipswich Town

WHO ARE THEY?
Formed at a meeting in Ipswich Town Hall in 1878 as the Ipswich Association FC. They amalgamated with in 1888 with the local rugby club before dropping them in 1893.

Ipswich first entered the league in 1938 and beat Southend 4-2 at home in their first game. They have won what is now the Championship in 1961-62,Division 2 and Division 3 South as well as the FA Cup in 1978.

They have played in all three European competitions and won the UEFA Cup in 1981.

This is their fifth season of second tier football following relegation from the Premiership in 2002.
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THEIR OFFICAL WEBSITE
http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Welcome
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LAST MATCH
City lost 3-1 at Luton whilst Ipswich lost 1-0 at home to Stoke City.

This is the 73rd game between the two sides. City have won on nineteen occasions with twenty one draws. Earlier in the season,City lost 2-1 at Portman Road with Elliott Ward scoring.

At the Ricoh last season, the game finished in a 1-1 draw. Gavin Williams put Town ahead with Gary McSheffrey equalising for the Sky Blues.

City are 14th in the table with Ipswich 16th.
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CITY TEAM NEWS
Out are David McNamee,Stuart Giddings and Don Hutchison. Robert Page is back from suspension. However Luke Steele has a gashed knee and is doubtful. Andy Marshall who needs an operation may return.
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MATCH OFFICIALS
The currently appointed referee is Mr C.Oliver His assistants are C.Evans & G.Mellor with the Fourth Official being L.Hodgson.

Mr Oliver has not been in charge of a City game this season but last season was in charge of the home game with Leeds.
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MATCH DETAILS
Kick off is at 3pm. Tickets are available at usual prices. Arrive early if you have not got your tickets yet.
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WEATHER FORECAST
The forecast is cloudy with a kick off time temperature of four degrees
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HOW TO GET THERE
By car: Leave the M6 at junction 3. Take the A444 towards the City centre and at the first island go left and you will see the Ricoh Arena on your right.

With few bus services running on Boxing Day,a coach service from Pool Meadow to the Arena has been laid.

Funded by Arena Coventry Limited, coaches will leave Pool Meadow bus station and the Jaguar Whitley Park and Ride site at 1pm. The cost is £3 return and coaches are provided by A-Line.

Anyone wanting more information about the coach service or any other travel or parking issues should telephone 0870 8116 514.

The 101 from Pool Meadow to the Arena is now running.

The number four bus which runs to the Tesco's at Arena Park from Canley Rail Station is running an hourly service. You can catch the 12.31 or 13.31 from Pool Meadow. There is a 5pm and 6pm bus back to Town.

The 13 service which is highly useful to many supporters on a normal match day is only running as far as Whitmore Park.

Special fares of £1.10 adult and 55pm children apply for a single journey regardless of distance, although passes and travel cards are accepted.

Estimates put the possible gate at around 25,000, so if you are going to the game, you are advised to arrive early.

More Travel Coventry bus information can be found at http://www.travelcoventry.co.uk/features/christmas2006/index.jsp

Parking: Car parking is extremely restricted around the ground. Supporters are advised that there is only park and ride site to the south of the city at the Jaguar car plant.

Coaches From Rugby.

Coaches from the Avon Mill in Newbold Road are running again £4.00 per game. Contact ian.moore3@tesco.net

Coaches From Kenilworth For details please contact harry.bragginton@btinternet.com

Travel From London for Members of CCLSC http://www.cclsc.co.uk/

AWAY SUPPORTERS PARKING
Car parking around the Ricoh Arena is strictly limited.

However, there is a designated away supporters car park, situated around five minutes walk away from the ground. The car park is secure and cost is £5 - but spaces are limited to just 100.

Directions: M6 to junction 3. Take 3rd exit if coming from north or 1st exit if travelling from the south. At the 2nd roundabout, take the 2nd exit, under the railway bridge, through the first set of traffic lights, and pass the pedestrian lights. At the next set of lights, turn right into Blackburn Road and the car park is at the top of the road.

SAT NAV
Some car satellite navigation systems have not been updated to show Coventry City FC as playing at the Ricoh Arena. Those visiting the ground for the first time are advised to enter "Phoenix Way" and the post code "CV6 6GE" instead.
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OTHER BOXING DAY MATCHES
Championship: Barnsley v Burnley, Birmingham v QPR, Cardiff v Plymouth, Colchester v Luton, Derby v Wolves, Hull v Leicester, Norwich v Southend, Southampton v Palace, Stoke v Sheffield Wednesday,Sunderland v Leeds,WBA V Preston

Conference North Hinckley Town v Nuneaton Borough 3pm

SL PREM: 3pm Rugby Town v Corby Town Mid: 1pm Bedworth United v Sutton Coldfield

Mid All: RC Warwick V Leamington (12 noon), Stratford v Studley (11.30am), Atherstone v Barwell (12 noon)

Mid Comb Prem: all 11.30am Coventry Sphinx V Coventry Copsewood, Alveston v Southam, Massey Ferguson v Nuneaton Griff

Div One: Archdale v Leamington Hibernian, Burntwood v Stockingford