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Hi, It crossed my mind whilst doing some WW1 research you never hear much about the team of 1913-1914 who must all have been fit and the right age to go to war.
I have done a quick search and come up with E.Bugg the top goal scorer for 1911-1912-1913 who sadly lost a leg in WW1
Also Cecil F.Fenn who was Killed in Action in 1915
Someone might well have covered this already ?
But do please let me know if you have any photos or info

Many thanks
David

Hello,

I believe the war office took the ground in 1914 and was handed back in 1920

Can anyone confirm ?

Info gleaned from: An Illustrated History of Ipswich Town by Ken Rice (1973) and The Essential History of Ipswich Town by Mel Henderson & Paul Voller (2001):

Town played in the Southern Amateur League when war broke out in 1914.

The war brought an end to football at Portman Road and Town were denied further participation longer than most for their ground was commandeered by the War Office and not finally released until early 1920. Compensation was agreed with the War Office.

The pitch was in a terrible state and play was only possible after a lot of hard work put in by Mr S A Notcutt and helpers.

Town were forced, because of casualties, to issue an appeal for new players to come forward for the 1920 - 21 campaign. Not one of the side that had represented Town in the final SAL game of 1914 ran out on to the field for the opening game of the 1920 - 21 season.

A cash crisis - the balance stood at a mere 31 pounds 7 shillings and sixpence (£31.37 in modern money) forced the club to increase the annual membership fee to one guinea (£1.05) in the summer of 1920, although members would all be able to watch games from the grandstand. A further concession for members was that they were allowed to be accompanied by a female.

verulam wrote:Info gleaned from: An Illustrated History of Ipswich Town by Ken Rice (1973) and The Essential History of Ipswich Town by Mel Henderson & Paul Voller (2001):

Town played in the Southern Amateur League when war broke out in 1914.

The war brought an end to football at Portman Road and Town were denied further participation longer than most for their ground was commandeered by the War Office and not finally released until early 1920. Compensation was agreed with the War Office.

The pitch was in a terrible state and play was only possible after a lot of hard work put in by Mr S A Notcutt and helpers.

Town were forced, because of casualties, to issue an appeal for new players to come forward for the 1920 - 21 campaign. Not one of the side that had represented Town in the final SAL game of 1914 ran out on to the field for the opening game of the 1920 - 21 season.

A cash crisis - the balance stood at a mere 31 pounds 7 shillings and sixpence (£31.37 in modern money) forced the club to increase the annual membership fee to one guinea (£1.05) in the summer of 1920, although members would all be able to watch games from the grandstand. A further concession for members was that they were allowed to be accompanied by a female.

That part tugged on the old heart strings there. Sad stuff. RIP all WW1 ITFC players.

Quasar wrote:Hello,

I believe the war office took the ground in 1914 and was handed back in 1920

Can anyone confirm ?

Reading from an article here (involving this club) :

"During World War One Portman Road was requisitioned by the army and the stands were used to house a sheep, goat and chickens"

(It also mentioned -

Ipswich's FA Cup Final hero Roger Osborne was dropped in favour of a fit-again Colin Viljoen for the last league game of the 1977 / 78 season, against Aston Villa. The team, as a protest, capitulated 6-1. Osborne was reinstated for the cup final, and the rest as they say..

In 1981, as Ipswich won the UEFA Cup, John Wark set a new record for the number of European goals in a season - 14, including a hat-trick of penalties against Aris Salonika

Ipswich have had fewer managers than any Football league club apart from West Ham and had never actually sacked one until 1987. The recipient of this dubious distinction ? John Duncan. (article date June 1997)

The tradition of Ipswich / Norwich Boxing Day derbies was launched in 1936 with non-league Town beating City reserves 2-0. Revenge was immediate however, City won the return 3-1 ... the next day)