MIKE BACON continues this popular series, talking to Town fans about their favourite-ever Ipswich Town XI. This week, TWTD editor PHIL HAM gives us his favourite XI. And how it all began for him as a young Blues supporter.
Goalkeeper: RICHARD WRIGHT
For me, the George Burley era and the way that team developed will always be the era I'll look fondly upon, even though I saw much of the Bobby Robson years.
And Richard Wright was such a key part of that Burley era. The local boy given his opportunity by George at just 17. How rare is that in the Premier League today? I can't think of many goals that were Richard Wright's fault during his time at Town. At one stage didn't he make something like 200 consecutive appearances? That first year in the Premier League, he was fantastic.
Right-back: MAURICIO TARICCO
There's a real story behind Taricco, which is what makes him so wonderful.
Signed for Town as a bit of make-weight in a deal including Adrian Paz. Made his debut against Bolton, lost 0-3, disappeared for a year! It looked like he was a failed signing. But then we had a full-back crisis and Taricco came in. And made himself undropable! Emerged as a key player, a fans' favourite. 'I don't like yellow', he once said. He got us Town fans! And was a master of the 'dark arts'.
Centre-half: KEVIN BEATTIE
Not just a defender, but also a superb footballer.
Actually won all his caps for England playing at left-back, he should have won so many more. I don't remember him at his very best as I started watched Town in the late '70s, but what a player he was. Look at his highlights reel. The power, the strength, the leap. He wasn't very tall, but boy could he jump high.
Centre-half: TERRY BUTCHER
Another Town legend and another who wasn't just a defender, but a terrific footballer.
All the pictures of Butch with that bandage round his head playing for England. Bobby Robson saying he's the sort of guy you would want in the trenches. It was what you remember him for, but you have to say he was a real top footballer as well. If you watch that wonderful game against St Etienne away, when Town won 4-1 in the UEFA Cup, Butch played left-back and was practically like a winger, putting crosses in. And he's 6ft. 4in.
Left-back: MICK MILLS
When I was growing up, I couldn't imagine any other captain of Ipswich Town than Mick Mills.
He was our leader. So calm, measured, an intelligent presence. Ipswich had all these big characters in their team, Mariner, Hunter, Beattie, etc. And yet you had the most measured of captains in Mills. Not a shouter. And again, a very good footballer.
Left midfield: ARNOLD MUHREN
'A left foot like a velvet glove', I believe John Motson once said on Match of the Day about Arnold Muhren.
I met him a few times over the years, a terrific bloke. It was a complete cultural change for football when Muhren came to Ipswich in the summer of 1978 and the two Argentina players, Ardiles and Villa joined Spurs. It was one of the first times there were foreign players in English football and of course Muhren's signing created a change in the way Bobby Robson played the game with his Ipswich team, keeping the ball more on the floor. Muhren's signing was the catalyst for the great 1980/81 team.
Centre midfield: JOHN WARK
You have to have John Wark in an Ipswich Town team, best or favourite!
A player you could play in so many positions, not just the position that got him so many goals. Played wide right, started and ended up centre-half. But his golden period of a holding/goal-scoring midfielder, that no-one else has really ever matched was unbelievable. The way other players talk about him, shake their heads at his talent. Had superb timing and would get up and down the pitch. A hero at Town from the mid-'70s to the '90s.
Centre midfield: JASON DOZZELL
Like a Rolls-Royce in the middle of the midfield.
And another player who was so versatile. He could player deeper, or just off Chris Kiwomya in that 1991/92 season when we won Division Two. That was a very modern role he played, to be honest. The heartbeat of the Town team at the time. You need players who have grown up in the area. We have Luke Woolfenden now and we had Jason then. It is so good to see a player growing up as a Town fan, then representing us on the pitch.
Right midfield: KIERON DYER
Again, a fantastic story of the local boy coming good.
I believe Jason Dozzell once said he couldn't believe someone who lived closer than he did to Portman Road would ever play for the team. But Kieron did, I think he was one street closer than Jason and, like Jason, used to walk to the ground to play! Probably the best player Ipswich Town youth system produced since the '80s in my opinion, well probably since Jason Dozzell. A prenominal athlete, could get up the pitch, down the pitch. His pace was incredible and his running with the ball was great to watch.
Striker: PAUL MARINER
I didn't see Ray Crawford play, and he and Mariner are possibly the two greatest-ever Town centre-forwards.
The powerful headers, the flicks, the hold-up play, strength, power, shooting, that was Mariner. What more do you want from a striker? He had it all. His partnerships with Trevor Whymark and then Alan Brazil, different players, different styles, but Mariner coped with it all so easily. The absolute total No.9.
Striker: CHRIS KIWOMYA
The finishing, the quality of the finishing, his pace.
Chris was one of the stars of that 1991/92 team that won promotion and another who came through the youth ranks. I feel the importance of that '91/92 season is under-stated, but it was a hugely important season and he was key to it. Continued doing well in the Premier League after promotion, until his move to Arsenal. And you don't get a move to Arsenal if you are not a very good striker.
Substitutes: David Johnson (the younger), Frans Thijssen, Russell Osman, Bartosz Bialkowski and Jim Magilton
Manager: GEORGE BURLEY
His era as manager was so enjoyable.
It was a journey that we all went on with George and the team to eventual Wembley success and that wonderful first year in the Premier League. There were highs, lows and everything in between. Players with local connections getting a chance, Titus Bramble, James Scowcroft, Kieron Dyer. And so many players of that era rated George very highly as a manager.
Others in the series.....
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