As the new year dawns, Ipswich Town fans are buzzing with anticipation and optimism, and it’s not just because of the team’s promising form in the EFL Championship. There’s a special kind of excitement in the air—one that extends beyond the pitch and into the heart of the club’s wider football community. With a crucial FA Cup Third Round clash against Blackpool FC set for January 10, 2026, the storylines are as rich off the field as they are on it.
For Blackpool supporters, the journey to Portman Road for the FA Cup tie could have been a logistical and financial nightmare. The 560-mile round trip, coming so soon after the holiday season, might have priced out many loyal fans, especially those with families. But in a gesture that’s captured the imagination of football fans across the country, businessman Steve Richardson, a lifelong Tangerines supporter and the owner of team kit sponsor TreadTracker, stepped in to cover the cost of coaches for the away fans.
“We are running 18 coaches and people keep contacting us,” Richardson shared, reflecting on the overwhelming response to his offer, which was made just before Christmas. “Like all fans I thought this was the worst possible draw especially so soon after Christmas – who could afford that trip? I thought, ‘I can afford it so why wouldn’t I?’” His generosity has been hailed as a “real Tangerine fairytale come true” by the Blackpool Supporters Trust, with chair Christine Seddon praising the initiative: “This outstandingly generous initiative from Stephen Richardson and TreadTracker has made an impossible journey possible.”
The sense of unity and optimism among Blackpool fans is palpable. Seddon added, “So many fans are priced out of football especially those with young families – it’s a real Tangerine fairytale come true. A real sense of unity and optimism has been ignited and words just don’t cover how much we appreciate this.” The gesture has drawn comparisons to the club’s euphoric days in the Premier League, with Richardson noting, “There is a real buzz among the fans like had the days we made it to the Premier League. Whatever the result people will enjoy the day out.”
While Blackpool’s supporters are preparing for their FA Cup adventure, Ipswich Town have been making headlines of their own on the pitch. On January 1, 2026, they hosted Oxford United at Portman Road, a match that carried significant implications for the Championship promotion race. Ipswich, fresh off a vital 2-1 victory over league leaders Coventry City on December 29, 2025, were looking to climb into the top two automatic promotion spots—a feat they hadn’t achieved all season.
Jaden Philogene gave Ipswich an early lead against Oxford, a goal that propelled the Blues up to second in the live Championship table. The sense of momentum was unmistakable. Wes Burns, recently returned from an 11-month injury layoff, had been the hero against Coventry, and fans wondered if he’d get his first start back in the FA Cup tie against Blackpool, with manager Kieran McKenna likely to rotate his squad for the congested fixture list.
McKenna, reflecting on the team’s recent form and the challenges ahead, cautioned against complacency: “We have no divine right to win the game, to score the early goal or to play fantastically well. It’s going to be tough. We know that it might take 95 minutes.” His words rang true, especially considering Ipswich’s earlier slip-ups, including a 2-1 defeat to Oxford in the reverse fixture in late November and a 3-0 home drubbing by Charlton. The Championship, as ever, remains a league where any team can beat another on their day.
For Oxford United, the trip to Portman Road came at a turbulent time. Sitting 22nd in the table and without a permanent manager following the departure of Gary Rowett, the U’s have been guided by interim boss Craig Short. Despite a morale-boosting 2-1 Boxing Day win over Southampton, Oxford’s struggles have continued, with four defeats in their last six matches and a narrow 1-0 loss to Swansea on December 30. Short admitted to second-guessing his lineup decisions, saying, “Maybe after 20 minutes I was thinking, should I have made changes? We just couldn’t get going.”
Yet Oxford have shown they’re no pushovers. Ten of their twelve league defeats have come by just a single goal, and they’ve taken points off top-six sides like Coventry, Middlesbrough, Millwall, and Leicester. Their record against the division’s heavyweights has been competitive, and that resilience offers a warning to any side that might underestimate them.
As for Ipswich, the January 1 fixture was a chance to build a winning streak. The predicted starting XI included Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, Kipre, Davis; Matusiwa, Cajuste; Walle Egeli, Nunez, Philogene; and Akpom. Squad depth has been a talking point, especially with the festive period demanding rotation. McKenna hoped that the fresh legs and Premier League-quality wingers would give his side an edge, particularly in the absence of the injured George Hirst.
The Championship’s promotion race remains wide open. Coventry, despite their early dominance, have seen their form cool, while Middlesbrough, Hull City, and others are all in the mix. Ipswich’s early goal against Oxford was a statement of intent, but as fans and pundits alike know, nothing is guaranteed in this league. The live table on January 1 showed Ipswich leapfrogging into second, but the day’s results across the division—including Middlesbrough’s goalless streak at Derby and Hull’s match against Stoke—meant the standings could shift in a heartbeat.
Beyond the Championship, the FA Cup Third Round tie between Ipswich and Blackpool looms large. For Blackpool, the free coach initiative has transformed a daunting away day into a celebration of community spirit and football fandom. For Ipswich, it’s another chance to showcase their quality and perhaps give returning players like Wes Burns a platform to shine.
As the countdown to January 10 continues, both sets of fans have plenty to look forward to. Whether it’s the drama of the promotion race, the magic of the FA Cup, or the heartwarming generosity that’s brought supporters together, football in 2026 is off to a memorable start. The action is ongoing, and with so much at stake on and off the pitch, the storylines promise to keep fans talking for weeks to come.
