Goldstar Ground hosts televised Women's FA Cup Quarter Final tie
Goldstar Ground ready to host Ipswich Town FC v West Ham United in Women's Vitality FA Cup Quarter Final.
The Seasiders Goldstar Ground hosts Ipswich Town Women’s FA Cup Quarter Final clash with West Ham United on Sunday.
A capacity crowd of 2,000 will pack the ground hoping Tier 3 table-toppers Ipswich can upset the Super League Hammers.
The game is being televised live via the BBC Red Button as well as several overseas countries.
Chris Daynes, Joint Chairman at Felixstowe, has spearheaded the relationship between both clubs over the years and spoke about the benefits the Seasiders will enjoy from hosting the match.
"I remember taking a call from the then Ipswich Ladies manager 8 years ago, asking if we would be in position to host a one off game at Felixstowe due to availability issues at their former Humber Doucy Lane ground. We gratefully accepted the opportunity and they felt so well looked after, to the extent that I sat down with the manager and we agreed a deal to give the Tractor Girls a permanent home. Back then, the facilities we enjoy now were not yet in place, and the players on Sunday afternoons outnumbered the crowd off the pitch". Chris continued "I used to man the old clubhouse, run down the long path to the pitch, take the gate, read out the teams and run back to the clubhouse to serve at the bar at half time before cooking the players food.... then stay behind and clean the changing rooms! So, for me personally, it's barely believable that the vision and plan at that first meeting to grow the support base and facilities has come off to the extent that we're a couple of days away from an attendance of 2,000 and potentially millions more via the first ever televised match at Felixstowe!"
"Logistically, it's a mammoth task to stage a game of this size, and to put it into perspective, it's the equivalent of hosting 6 Felixstowe & Walton United First Team games in one day, as well as meeting the demands of broadcasters, national and local media, sponsors, FA protocols and so much more. We have a fantastic relationship with the Women's side and we want to do Ipswich Town proud by making sure everything is in place to provide them with the best home venue possible. We have a small, but incredibly dedicated band of volunteers and they've stepped up to the plate once again to ensure the Goldstar Ground is prepared for the audience watching in person and on TV."
"It's an opportunity that doesn't come around too often to showcase our club to the World, not to mention the financial benefits the club will gain from hosting the tie, money that will be invested back into our own club."
Essential information ahead of big match.
Turnstiles will open at 11am ahead of the 12.30pm kick off.
TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT. NO ENTRY WITHOUT A TICKET
First time visitor? Check out our comprehensive guide to the Goldstar Ground here- https://felixstowefootball.co.uk/club/ground-guide
Additional info-
Parking on-site will be limited to players, officials, staff & media. We recommend using town centre or the Grove car parks. Blue Badge parking is fully booked.
Please arrive early to avoid congestion at the turnstiles.
Clubhouse, bar, snack bar, sweet shop all open from 11am.
Additional catering facilities are available around the ground.
Additional toilets have being installed for this match, in addition to those already available in the clubhouse lobby and matchday toilet corridor. The temporary toilets are located at the Colneis Road end of the ground and the Dellwood end.
Grandstand seating (200) is unreserved and available on a first come, first served basis.
The area between the dugouts will be cordoned off for use by ITFC & West Ham officials and media only.
The hospitality suite is being reconfigured as a Media Room. Those with media accreditation will be directed to the media room adjacent to the clubhouse.
The match is being broadcast live on the BBC Red Button with live commentary also available via BBC Radio Suffolk.