So, We Meet Again!

The release of the new fixtures always creates excitement and eager anticipation for the coming season. That very first match, however, seems to carry a little extra interest, particularly when you remember that self-same fixture from the dim and distant past. I knew I had been to Portman Road in August, but couldn’t be sure if it was the first game or the first away game of the season.

As it turns out, the match I remember was indeed the first game of the 1981/82 season and now, 45 years later, we have the same fixture to look forward to.Looking at both clubs then and now, there are a few similarities and obviously quite a few differences. Back then, Ipswich Town were enjoying a long period of stability and success under Bobby Robson.

He had been with the club since 1969 and would finally leave at the end of this season to take up the England role.The team had performed consistently well for a decent length of time – from the 1972/73 season right through to the 1982/83 season, Ipswich were in the top ten of the old First Division, apart from one year (1977/78) – the sort of achievement any club would be rightly proud of.Added to that, they were becoming noted for European football and had just won the UEFA Cup in May, beating AZ Alkmaar 5-4 over the two-legged final.

They had also finished second in the league, four points behind champions Aston Villa.In contrast, Sunderland were struggling to find any sort of consistency in the league. The previous season for the Lads was the first back in the top flight after a brief absence, and it went right down to the wire.

To guarantee safety, a win at Anfield on the final day of the season was needed, so it was with fear and trepidation that we travelled across to Liverpool. However, there was nothing to fear as a strong strike from Stan Cummins gave us a 1 – 0 victory, although I did think Liverpool took their foot off the gas, with North-Easterner Ray Kennedy not asserting himself in midfield as was often the case. A famou