Ipswich Town Fans Worldwide Gear Up for Thrilling Premier League Return Against Liverpool

Ipswich Town fans around the globe are brimming with excitement as their beloved team embarks on its long-awaited return to the Premier League after a two-decade absence. This Saturday, the squad will kick off their campaign at home to Liverpool at Portman Road, a match that promises not only to draw a crowd of over 30,000 at the stadium but also to engage a vast international audience. Fans like Will Thompson, originally from Woking but now residing in Toronto, are making plans to watch the match before a significant life event of their own. Thompson will be getting married later that day, but not before he sets out for an early morning viewing. "I'm staying in a hotel in downtown Toronto," he stated, acknowledging the five-hour time difference. "I’ll be up very early for the Liverpool game, leaving my fiancée Laurel in bed as I head to the Elephant & Castle Pub, which is actually a Liverpool pub but the only place showing the game at that hour." Thompson's commitment to watching Ipswich play reflects the deep-rooted affection many fans have for the club. He is optimistic but realistic about the challenge Liverpool presents. "I hope for a draw, but I know it will be tough," he confessed. Across the globe in Australia, Scott Billison, who hails from Suffolk, is also eager to catch the match. After having witnessed Town's promotion during a brief visit to the UK, he will be watching from Perth, where he enjoys a 7.30 pm start time. "It’s worked out pretty perfectly," he said, revealing plans to watch the game with friends at a local sports bar. Billison, who is unable to attend the match in person, remains optimistic about the upcoming season under manager Kieran McKenna. "Whatever happens, it’s such a proud time to be a Town fan at the moment," he remarked. In Florida, Darrell Jones, a season ticket holder who was born and raised in Suffolk, flew back to the UK for the match. "We're in the Premier League, so that's all that really matters," he emphasized, expressing his excitement to catch all 19 home matches this season. Meanwhile, Kate Czarnecki, a former television presenter from Suffolk and a member of the Ipswich Town supporters club in Singapore, is feeling the pre-match jitters. "I feel pretty nervous for the game," she admitted. Czarnecki's club has found a welcoming home at the Penny Black pub, which has previously hosted the group, creating a sense of camaraderie among the members. Christoffer Vårhus from Norway, whose supporters club has been thriving for 30 years, is also planning to watch the game, albeit from afar due to work commitments. He shared his excitement about visiting Portman Road later this year, having already planned a special trip for his parents’ milestone birthday. As the day draws near, it is clear that the spirit of Ipswich Town transcends borders. Whether in the UK or across oceans, fans are rallying to support their team, united in their passion, pride, and anticipation for what promises to be an exhilarating season in the Premier League.