Tickets for the home leg of the most important Ipswich-Norwich derby in decades went on general sale today.

Ipswich will take on Norwich at home at 12.15pm on Saturday, before a return leg at Carrow Road the following weekend.

The first man in the queue, Stephen Smith, travelled from Beccles, bagging his spot at 2am, while the queue was already running the length of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand an hour before doors opened at 8am.

Mr Smith, a season ticket holder, was there to buy three tickets for his family, travelling for over an hour despite already having his own ticket for the match.

He said: “I have been a fan for about 40 years. I am buying tickets for my nephews who are all town fans as well.”

The confident fan predicted a double win for Ipswich over both legs. Speaking after his morning vigil had paid off, he said: “I am very happy to get the tickets. I already had one for me and my 17-year-old niece, who is going to her first ever playoff game.

“I think we will make it to Wembley, my nephews were around eight years old last time Ipswich went to Wembley, now they are in their late 20s.”

David Bareham, 43, travelled from Redisham, joining the queue of dedicated Blues at just before 4am today.

He said: “It is part of the playoff experience. Getting down here and joining the rest of the fans and supporting the blues.

“My wife thinks I am mad, but I enjoy it. Also, I don’t trust the internet, we have terrible broadband where I live and the site was having problems on Monday. This way you know you have the tickets in your hand and you can guarantee a seat.”

He bought two tickets for the lower Bobby Robson stand, one for his wife, who he said “hates football” but enjoys the atmosphere.

Lee Cornish, from Ipswich, came prepared, turning up with a deck chair to make the queueing more enjoyable.

The 43-year-old said: “We got here at about 6am. It will be a huge match for the club, and I think we will get to Wembley.”

He predicted a 2-1 win at home, followed by a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road the next weekend. “It could be worth £150 million to the clubs,” he said.

Tickets can be bought on the Ipswich Town website or in person at the club shop, Planet Blue, with any unclaimed season ticket holders’ seats going into the general sale pot, with each supporter able to buy a total of four tickets.

Seats are priced at Grade A values if purchased before the day, starting from £32 for adults, £22 for senior citizens or students with an NUS card, £21 for under 20s, £13.50 for under 16s. or £10 for under 16s in family areas of the ground.

Tickets bought on the day of the match will increase by £2.50 for adults and all concessions and £1 for under 16s.

For the second leg away game at Carrow Road on May 16, tickets will be sold only online.

Abellio Greater Anglia will be running an additional train service for Norwich City supporters travelling to Ipswich.

This service will leave Norwich at 10.50, calling at Diss at 11.08 and arriving in Ipswich at 11.33.

After the match, the train operator will also be putting on an extra return service that will leave Ipswich at 14.35, calling at Diss at 14.59 and landing in Norwich at 15.19.

In addition to these two trains, the scheduled half-hourly Saturday service between Norwich and Ipswich will also operate. Details of trains for the return leg in Norwich will be released shortly.

For full details on train times and fares visit: www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk or call: 0345 600 7245.

Read more on Ipswich’s play-off record and share your memories here