MICHEL Platini, the UEFA president, is providing a foreward to the new Ipswich Town book - 1980/81.

The book covers the remarkable season when the Blues under the management of Bobby Robson won the UEFA Cup, were runners-up in the First Diviskion and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

The three-time European Player of the Year and one of world football’s most famous names, Platini says: “As someone who witnessed Ipswich Town’s stylish approach at first hand I am proud and privileged to have been asked to pen the foreword to this celebratory publication”.

He played for St �tienne against Town in the UEFA Cup quarter-final that season.

Ipswich’s captain at the time - Mick Mills - is backing the book and he said: “I think the fact that somebody of Michel Platini’s stature in world football is prepared to write this foreword is testament to what an outstanding team we had back then.

“The book is a great celebration of our achievements.”

Neil Prentice from publishers White Space Design is also delighted to have the Frenchman involved with the book.

He said: “Michel Platini was our very ambitious first choice to provide the foreword to this book.

“We are pleased that he has agreed and I think this adds real prestige to the publication.”

The book is available now on a pre-order basis. For tyhose who order before September 30 their name will be listed in the book.

For more information visit: www.boysof81.co.uk.