One of England’s most successful clubs has sensationally turned down an invitation to join football’s new breakaway Super League.

Ipswich Town have won the top division more recently than Tottenham and lifted a more important European trophy than Arsenal.

The Suffolk side is also undefeated in 31 home European ties, eclipsing other teams in the money-grabbing proposed Euro Super League.

With a proud record, it was no surprise the leading team in East Anglia was asked to join the other six English teams in the new Super League, announced to a fanfare of anger yesterday.

But the club dramatically turned down the offer, slamming it as shameful greed at the expense of loyal football fans up and down the country.

Spokesperson Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “The six clubs of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal are an absolute disgrace.

“Arsenal can’t even get in the top half of the Premier League. OK, Ipswich are struggling to remain in the top half of League One, but at least we have a proud football record at home and abroad.”

Former Ipswich boss Sir Bobby Robson, who went on to manage England, once summed up what football really means to the fans, and it couldn’t be further from the greedy Super League plan.

He said: “What is a club in any case? Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it. It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes. It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city. It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.”

The enviable Ipswich record reads:

• Ipswich won the top-flight league title under Sir Alf Ramsey in 1962, just one year after winning promotion
• Ipswich lifted the UEFA Cup under Sir Bobby Robson in 1981
• In 31 European matches, Ipswich have never lost at home, winning 25 and drawing six
• Those victories included scalps like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Intern Milan and AC Milan – all, ironically, members of the new Super League

In more recent times, Ipswich have risen to the dizzy heights of securing a 0-0 draw at home to Northampton.

Because the club celebrates fair play, it has allowed small neighbour Norwich City to take some of the limelight in recent seasons.

Mugs for all occasions

Ignore the European cups and celebrate domestic football with a mug of your own. The Suffolk Gazette’s mugs can all be purchased from the Dirty Old Goat website, or you can buy direct from the items below…