Palace party as new boss gets his wish

By Mel Henderson

NEW boss Jim Magilton's first game in charge of Ipswich will be against Crystal Palace.

Barring a request from Sky Sports to switch the fixture for live television purposes, the Eagles will be the visitors to Portman Road on the opening day of the 2006-2007 Championship season, Saturday, August 5.

Magilton could not conceal his delight, explaining: “I was hoping that my very first game would be at Portman Road and it's a fantastic one.”

With away games at Wolves three days later, and Leicester on August 12, it represents a demanding start as Ipswich face three teams who will be among the bookmakers' favourites for promotion to the Premiership.

Magilton, whose appointment was confirmed less than three weeks ago, added: “It is a reasonably tough start, definitely competitive, and for me it reflects the high standard of this league.

“We should have a bumper crowd on the first day, with Palace fans not having too far to travel, and I can promise we will be ready for it.

“I want our supporters to see what we are trying to do and the first away game at Molineux means going to a ground that was one of my favourites as a player.”

The East Anglian derby games against Norwich, always eagerly awaited by both sets of supporters, are scheduled to take place on November 18 at Portman Road and on April 21 at Carrow Road.

But it would be a major surprise if they were not both delayed by 24 hours and rearranged as Sunday games at the request of the respective police authorities.

Ipswich will have additional derby games next season as Colchester compete in the second tier of English football for the first time in their history.

Town fans do not have long to wait for the trip along the A12 on September 30, with the return due to take place on January 20.

The newly-promoted U's begin their Championship campaign with a trip to bookies' favourites Birmingham City, which will see them up against former midfield star Neil Danns, who signed for the Blues last week.