IPSWICH Town stars of the past have revealed their finest win over old enemy Norwich City on the eve of the East Anglian derby.

MATT HOLLAND

February 21, 1998: Ipswich Town 5 Norwich City 0

I THINK a lot of people, on and off the pitch, would pick this memorable game. Alex Mathie scoring a hat-trick, Bobby Petta scoring twice, it was just a great all-round performance and a perfect day. It was one of those days where everything went right and we got off to a great start which always helps. Derby games are usually tense, nervous affairs but we hit the ground running and I don’t think Norwich could believe what was happening. The fans at the time had some bad derby memories so it was great to do something that made up for it. We were able to live off that victory for a while with t-shirts sold in the club shop and a commemorative video released.

ALEX MATHIE

February 21, 1998: Ipswich Town 5 Norwich City 0

WINNING 5-0 was just unbelievable. After the game, the area we lived at the time in Ipswich was phenomenal. Someone came up to my house and gave me a bottle of whisky and said ‘thanks for making me happy for the next six months’. That is what winning the derby means to the fans.

RAY CRAWFORD

December 26, 1960: Norwich City 0 Ipswich Town 3

WE faced a packed Carrow Road on Boxing Day with both teams going for promotion in the old Division Two. I knew all about the rivalry but this was my first match against Norwich, as they had just come up from Division Three. We knew they were a good side, also in the top six while we were fighting for the championship. The boys played really well and I managed to score twice, Ted Phillips getting the other one. The funny thing was that as our coach was approaching Carrow Road, we saw four Norwich fans carrying a coffin draped in Ipswich colours with a message saying: ‘We’re going to bury the Town today’. We just found it amusing.

FABIAN WILNIS

March 2, 2003: Norwich City 0 Ipswich Town 2

BEATING Norwich is always special but to win at Carrow Road and score a goal was fantastic. I was not renowned for scoring but to score against the local rivals was just unbelievable. A few of my friends went to the game and said afterwards that I just couldn’t stop celebrating after my goal went in – they claimed it was the longest celebration they had ever seen. I just didn’t want that moment to go away. After the game, I had this explosion of joy over beating our rivals. It really made my day, in fact it made my season.

JASON DOZZELL

April 19, 1993: Ipswich Town 3 Norwich City 1

WE had been promoted back to the Premiership and started the season well. But we then went on a horrific run of just one win in 16 games before we faced Norwich at a floodlit Portman Road in front of the Sky cameras. There were just three league matches left and relegation was still a possibility. Every derby game is a must-win, but this one was especially so. I think because of what was at stake and because it was Norwich, we just raised our game even more. I was an Ipswich fan before and went to derby matches home and away. So I think I knew what the fans were going through and I got butterflies before the match. Fortunately, everything went well. I scored two, we won 3-1 and we managed to stay up.

MICK MILLS

May 7, 1973: Norwich City 1 Ipswich Town 2

THE two-legged final of the Texaco Cup is one match against Norwich that sticks in my mind. I can remember playing Newcastle in the semi-final and everyone hoping it would be us and Norwich in the final. Though seen as a minor cup, it was still fairly competitive and more than 60,000 fans turned up for the two legs. We won the first match on the Friday night 2-1 and then had to go to Carrow Road on the Monday. Derby games are always competitive but the fact there was a trophy at the end of it just added more spice. We did exceptionally well to win the second leg and to lift the Texaco Cup trophy at the home of Norwich was a good feeling.

ALEX BRUCE

April 19, 2009: Ipswich Town 3 Norwich City 2

THE build-up for any kind of derby game is always intense and Ipswich against Norwich has a particularly strong rivalry. As a player, it is a game you always want to win – for the supporters more than anyone. I always looked forward to the match and winning 3-2, after going behind, was particularly sweet. You need a bit of luck to win a derby game but we played well and the atmosphere inside Portman Road was great. I think it was extra special for the fans on the day because Norwich went on to get relegated. But I believe most Town fans want to be in the same league as Norwich as derby day is always so special.