Ipswich Town fans are in for a treat as a rare shirt from the 1913-14 season has been uncovered, valued in tens of thousands. The shirt, believed to be the oldest surviving Ipswich Town Football Club shirt, was worn by Fred Ellis and has been passed down through the Curtis family. Kevin Curtis, from Claydon, found the shirt in a box of belongings and feels 'lucky' to get to pass it down through his family.
What happened?
The shirt was discovered in a box of belongings and is believed to be the oldest surviving Ipswich Town Football Club shirt. It was worn by Fred Ellis during the 1913-14 season and has been valued in tens of thousands.
Why it matters for Ipswich Town
The discovery of the shirt is a significant find for Ipswich Town, providing a glimpse into the club's rich history. The shirt is a rare piece of memorabilia that will be cherished by fans and the club.
What comes next?
The shirt will be put on display in the stadium, with the club's permission. The Curtis family has given their blessing for the shirt to be displayed, and it will be a valuable addition to the club's museum.
Ipswich Town is currently sitting 11 points behind leaders Coventry in the title race, with 80 goals scored and 47 conceded this season. The team's league standing is 2nd in the Championship, with 84 points from 46 games. Recent form has been WDDWD.
The shirt belonged to Fred Ellis, who played for Ipswich Town during the 1913/1914 season before being sent to fight in the First World War. Ellis scored 11 goals for Ipswich before serving in the Battle of the Somme, where he was sent home after losing a thumb. Notably, underneath a fold of the shirt, a darker shade of the original blue survives, offering a glimpse of its true colour more than a century ago.
The discovery of the shirt is a significant find for Ipswich Town, providing a glimpse into the club's rich history. The shirt is a rare piece of memorabilia that will be cherished by fans and the club. The Curtis family has given their blessing for the shirt to be displayed, and it will be a valuable addition to the club's museum.
