A rivalry worth remembering
Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town have shared 85 matches over the decades, and while it might not be one of football's most famous rivalries, it has produced memorable moments that matter to supporters of both clubs.
The first meeting came in January 1939 in Division 3 South – back when the football league split the third tier geographically to save teams travelling across the country for a single match. Ipswich won that first encounter 2-1. By April, Palace had their revenge with a 3-0 victory. It was the start of a long history between two clubs whose fortunes have often mirrored each other.
The biggest draw between the sides remains the Christmas Eve thriller of 1949: a 4-4 encounter at Selhurst Park that must have been quite the festive treat for those hardy enough to brave the cold.
The games I remember
For Palace fans, the standout modern memory is the 5-0 demolition of Ipswich in 2012 – Ian Holloway's first game as manager. Glenn Murray scored a hat-trick, including two penalties, and we went top of the Championship that day. It was the kind of performance that hinted at the stability Palace would eventually find in the Premier League.
Ipswich fans, no doubt, prefer to recall the 4-1 victory in 2009, when Town were on their way up and Palace had just dropped out of the top flight. These yo-yo years – up and down between divisions – defined both clubs for too long.
When Ipswich returned to the Premier League last season, I was genuinely excited. Not just because I could finally see my team play at Portman Road again, but because it felt like the natural order restored – two clubs with history, competing at the same level.
The road back up
Palace know the Championship better than most: we spent years bouncing between divisions before finally establishing ourselves in the top flight. Since 2013, we've stayed up every season. That kind of stability doesn't happen by accident.
What made the difference? Smart recruitment, financial discipline and patience with managers who understood the club. Palace stopped chasing quick fixes and started building something sustainable.
Ipswich currently sit fifth in the Championship – exactly where you'd want to be in late November, firmly in playoff contention. The infrastructure is there, the fanbase is passionate, and Portman Road remains one of the better grounds outside the Premier League. Everything points toward a club that can bounce straight back, if they get the details right.
Hoping for a reunion
The honest truth? I miss playing Ipswich. Not just for the results, but for what rivalries bring to football. There's something special about matches between clubs whose fans might work together, drink in the same pubs, or sit next to each other on the train – then spend 90 minutes hoping the other side loses.
When Ipswich do make it back to the Premier League – and I'd wager it won't take long at this rate – I'll be first in line for a ticket when Palace visit Portman Road. These are the fixtures that make the season memorable.
The bottom line
Football is better when rivals meet regularly. Palace spent too many years bouncing between divisions, missing out on the fixtures that matter. Ipswich have the foundations to avoid that fate. Here's hoping both clubs are competing in the Premier League again soon – because some rivalries are worth keeping alive.
NB This article was written by a student journalist participating in Youth Voice Matters, a six-week community journalism project delivered by Ipswich.co.uk and Ipswich Community Media (ICM), in partnership with Volunteering Matters.
