ITFC IMAGE - 24/08/26
ITFC IMAGE - 24/08/26
Since the start of the 2022/23 season, it’s fair to say Ipswich Town have been on quite a journey. League One, the Championship, the Premier League, back to the Championship and now back amongst the big boys once again. Along the way we’ve seen some outstanding players pull on the blue shirt, but what if we had to pick the best of them and squeeze them into one starting XI? That’s exactly what we’ll do.
The only requirement is that they’ve played for Town at some point from the 2022/23 promotion season through to the current Premier League campaign. Some positions were easy to pick, while others really weren’t. And because this is purely for a bit of international-break fun, I’m fully expecting plenty of disagreement. After all, everyone will have their own idea of who deserves a place and who should be nowhere near it.
So, who makes the cut? Let’s build Ipswich Town’s Ultimate XI from the promotion years and beyond… With the formation being a 5-2-2-1
Goalkeeper: Christian Walton
This felt like one of the tougher calls on the side. Vaclav Hladky deserves enormous credit for his role in Town’s Championship promotion campaign and can count himself unfortunate to miss out. However, Christian Walton gets the nod.
The goalkeeper was a cornerstone of the League One promotion-winning side and remained a hugely important figure as Town climbed through the divisions. Longevity plays a part in this selection, and Walton’s contribution over the entire period gives him the edge.
Right Wing-Back: Wes Burns
If there is one player who perfectly captured the energy of those promotion-winning teams, it was Wes Burns.
The Welshman was relentless down the right-hand side, providing goals, assists and countless moments of excitement. His work rate alone made him a favourite among supporters, but his game had plenty of quality too. Burns was one of the driving forces behind Town’s rise and comfortably earns his place.
Right Centre-Back: Dara O’Shea
Though Dara O’Shea might not be one of the most experienced names on this particular squad, it is almost impossible to underestimate the level of impact he has made upon joining the club.
As a player with plenty of experience in the Premier League, O’Shea joined Town as a Republic of Ireland international defender and became an instant leader among his fellow teammates, which resulted in him receiving the responsibility of being a captain of the squad.
Tall, strong and aggressive in the challenges for the ball, O’Shea has everything it takes to become a great centre-back of the future.
Centre-Back: Luke Woolfenden
The academy product saw the process through, from the League One challenge to getting the club back into the Premier League. The truth is, many players came and went in the process, but Woolfenden stuck around, always at the centre of it all, leading the defence.
What usually set him apart was his versatility; whenever Ipswich was promoted to a new league, there were concerns about whether certain individuals would be able to adapt. Over and over, Woolfenden proved people wrong.
Despite no longer being part of the team at Portman Road, it cannot be said that Woolfenden has not contributed to the club’s success. He has been key to taking the team from League One to the Premier League, and few academy graduates have made such an impact during one of the most prosperous times for the club.
Left Centre-Back: Cameron Burgess
Players who have been at the heart of Ipswich Town’s promotion story are many, but no player epitomises the club’s ascension into the Premier League like Cameron Burgess. The Australian national defender has transformed from an ordinary squad player into a key player for the club during the promotion years. He has always risen to the occasion in key moments through his defence and goals.
The centre-back’s consistency over many years has made him indispensable to Ipswich Town. Despite more famous defenders joining the club after promotion, he remains one of the best players of this era, and he rightly deserves his spot on the team.
Left Wing-Back: Leif Davis
The easiest selection in the entire team. Leif Davis transformed the way many supporters viewed a full-back. His attacking output was simply ridiculous at times, and he became one of the most creative players in the Football League.
Promotion campaigns are often built around match winners, and Davis certainly produced more than his fair share of decisive moments. There isn’t really an argument against him making this side.
Central Midfield: Sam Morsy
No combined XI from this period can start without Sam Morsy. The former captain became the heartbeat of Kieran McKenna’s side and set the standards which helped drive Ipswich forward.
His influence went far beyond what happened on the pitch. Every successful team needs leaders, and Morsy was the ultimate leader throughout Town’s rise.
Central Midfield: Massimo Luongo
This selection may divide opinion, especially given some of the talented midfielders Town have signed in recent years.
But if this team is about the promotion years and the journey itself, then Massimo Luongo deserves his place. The Australian was often the perfect partner for Morsy. He ran the shows, kept the cogs turning and was often doing all of the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
He may not have received as much press attention as others, but he played an extremely important role in those consecutive promotions.
Number 10: Conor Chaplin
Conor Chaplin might just be the player most supporters associate with this era. Goals, assists, leadership and a relentless work ethic made him one of the defining figures of Town’s rise. Time after time he produced in important moments, whether that was in League One, the Championship or beyond.
A combined XI without Chaplin simply wouldn’t feel right.
Number 10: Jack Clarke
This was arguably the most controversial selection in the entire side. Nathan Broadhead was desperately unlucky to miss out and can count himself unfortunate.
However, Jack Clarke’s quality just about wins through for me. His ability to beat defenders, create chances and change the flow of a game made him one of the most dangerous attackers Town have had during this period. On talent alone, he deserves a place in the side.
Striker: Liam Delap
The biggest debate probably came up front. George Hirst was absolutely immense during the promotion years and remains one of the most important signings of the McKenna era.
But if I’m selecting one centre-forward from the last four seasons, it has to be Liam Delap. His pace, strength, movement and finishing ability gave Town a genuinely elite striker who could trouble any defence. At his very best, Delap looked capable of leading the line for any side in the division. Especially in the Premier League, where he shone, and then ultimately gave him a move to another club after one season at the club. That gives him the narrowest of edges over Hirst.
Manager: Kieran McKenna
No discussion required. Gary O’Neil may yet go on to have a successful spell at Portman Road, but Kieran McKenna remains the architect of everything that followed.
Back-to-back promotions, a clear identity and a complete transformation of the football club make him the obvious choice to manage this team. Without McKenna, there is no promotion story to celebrate.
Honourable Mentions
Several players were unlucky to miss out.
Axel Tuanzebe, Vaclav Hladky, Janoi Donacien, Nathan Broadhead, Azor Matusiwa, George Hirst, Lee Evans, Marcus Harness, Julio Enciso and Omari Hutchinson all have strong cases for inclusion and would undoubtedly feature in plenty of supporters’ teams.
That’s ultimately what makes these articles fun. Everyone will have at least one player they’d bring in and one player they’d leave out.