WATCH out Blackpool, the Blue Army are coming.

A fantastic 1,300 fans will be descending on the north west coast on Saturday after Town’s free travel offer in the wake of the humiliating defeat at Peterborough hit the jackpot.

Where less than two full coaches travelled to Bloomfield Road two years ago, Ipswich will be backed by a cracking 13 coach-loads of supporters.

And players and staff alike are hoping the number proves unlucky for Ian Holloway’s men as Town look to wipe out the previous away-day horror show with three points.

Midfielder Jimmy Bullard, who yesterday met some people taking up the offer, said: “It is great to think we will be cheered on by so many fans at Blackpool and we hope we can put on an entertaining game for them.

“The supporters can act like a 12th man for us and the players will be doing all they can to give them the right result.”

Fans were offered free travel costs for the longest away day of the season – the 272-mile trip to Blackpool – following last month’s 7-1 thrashing by Peterborough in full glare of the Sky cameras.

Chief executive Simon Clegg said: “Whilst being delighted at the sheer number of supporters who are taking up the opportunity to travel to Blackpool on the club coaches this weekend, it is fair to say that the demand exceeded our expectations.

“It’s one of the longest, if not the longest, away trip we will make in the Championship this season but to see so many fans making the five-hour journey shows the fantastic level of support this club enjoys.

“We know that it’s going to be a difficult game against Blackpool, a club that were playing Premier League football last season, but having so many Town fans at Bloomfield Road will be a massive boost to the players and I hope that we give them much to cheer about.”

Town boss Paul Jewell added: “I think the supporters have been sensational. They have stayed with us. I want to get to the stage where they are really looking forward to matches on a Saturday, home and away.”