One of the country’s most progressive clubs want to do far more than enjoy their day against the FA Cup holders
During the autumn, when ticket promotions for the FA Women’s Cup final were circulated, the Ipswich Town squad made each other a promise. They would not be tempted into what any set of fourth-tier players would be forgiven for doing, and buy in bulk for a day out at Wembley. The message was clear, and deadly serious: they would go hell for leather towards competing there themselves.
Given that they travel to face
Manchester City on Sunday, the odds are on that ambition stalling in the last 16. Ipswich are only the second team at their level to have reached this stage and their manager, Joe Sheehan, has a point when he says a win would be “the biggest upset ever”. But this is one of the most progressive clubs in women’s football and that is why, regardless of how they fare against the holders, his players’ confidence appears bulletproof.