Ipswich Town Women: Manager Joe Sheehan looking forward to side’s return to Portman Road against Plymouth Argyle

Ipswich Town Women’s manager Joe Sheehan is looking forward to his side’s return to Portman Road on Sunday afternoon when they take on Plymouth Argyle, having fond memories of last season’s match, the 5-0 victory over Chatham Town in their first ever league game at the stadium.

A year ago, 10,173 fans watched the match with the Blues all but out of the running for promotion at that stage.

An even bigger attendance, perhaps as high as 15,000, is expected this time around with 8,000 tickets having already been sold for the 2pm kick-off with Town having a great opportunity of winning promotion to the Women’s Championship - the second tier - for the first time.

Tickets are available here.

Sheehan’s side go into Sunday’s match second in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division, three points behind leaders Hashtag United but with the Blues having two games in hand on the Essex side.

Sheehan said: “It’s a good occasion to look forward to. It was this weekend last year where we made our Portman Road debut in a league fixture.

“It seems to have come round really quick. Personally, I haven’t spent too much time thinking about this game or this occasion over the last few weeks with our priorities lying elsewhere, but now we’re in the game week, it’s something that we can certainly look forward to this weekend.”

Reflecting on last year, Sheehan, who has been in charge since February 2019, recalled: “We were in a different position in the league and we felt it was an opportunity that we had to make an impact on the community, really. Those are my memories from last time.

“An incredible attendance, the coach arrival, seeing so many supporters, it seemed like a typical men’s matchday, albeit on a little bit of a smaller scale. Everything was operating exactly the same.

“Our focus was to be trailblazers, to inspire the community and to see so many fans come and watch us and try and put on a performance that will leaving a lasting memory with everyone.

“That was something that I remember, it was something we focused on and I think it was a huge success.”