By TownFans.co.uk
October 16 2012

In the last 10 years Portman Road, the home of Ipswich Town Football Club, has been given a massive facelift, with nearly every aspect of the stadium, taking on a new look, making the stadium barely recognisable from that of the 1990's

The new tier on the South Stand, Opened by UEFA President Lennart Johansson, and the completely rebuilt Sir Bobby Robson Stand took the capacity up from 22.559, to 30,000, the biggest since Portman Road was turned to an all-seated stadium in 1992

The vast improvements led to the club hosting it's first ever full international match on 20th August 2003 where England took on fellow European side Croatia in a friendly match in front of almost 29,000 spectators.

The Stadium also features statues of Town's legendary managers, Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey who both not only achieved long periods success with the club, but also went on to become iconic figures in football on the international management stage.

In 2009 the club decided to rename the North Stand after the late Sir Bobby Robson, who sadly passed away from a long battle against cancer in July 2009. The stand was officially opened in September 2009 with a friendly against Robson's hometown club Newcastle United.

In March 2012 the South Stand was renamed after the late Sir Alf Ramsey who died in 1999 at the age of 78. Ramsey led Town o become the Champions of England in the 1961/1962 season despite having only been promoted the previous year. Ramsey then went on to lead England to World Cup glory in 1966.  

Stadium Facts

• The Record Attendance for a match at the stadium is 38,010 for the FA Cup Quarter Final tie against Leeds in March of 1975.
   
• Portman Road was the first stadium to go all seater, just in time for Blues to take their place in the first Premiership in the 1992-1993 season.
  
  
• The Town Physio Centre was constructed at the ground in 1993 at the same time as a new players lounge was built.
   
• The standard allocation for visiting fans is 10% of the stadium capacity, which is now just over 30,000, which is occasionally increased to 15% for some cup games.

Ground Directions

From the North:
Exit from the A14 at the A12 Colchester junction. Follow the A1214 into Ipswich. You will go over two roundabouts, and several sets of traffic lights. When you get to the large set of lights, at the end of London road, then you need to get into the middle lane, and go straight over the lights.

At the next set of lights you will need to turn right into West End road, past a BMW garage. Continue along West end road for about a mile, and then turn first left into 'Sir Alf Ramsey Way'. Continue along 'Sir Alf Ramsey Way' for about 300 yards, and the ground is on you right.

From the South:
For those travelling along the A12, the junction with the A14 is effectively the first roundabout that you will come to. Then follow the direction as above.

From the Train Station
The ground is only about a five minute walk from the station. On exiting the station, go straight over the bridge opposite, past the fire station and then straight over into Princes Street (...you should pass Staples on your left). Once into Princes Street, take the first left into Portman Road. The ground is about 100 yards down on the left.