Ipswich Town promotion: Puncture on A12 Woodbridge for fan

Jim Mitchell left his home in Carlton Colville two hours before Town kicked off against Exeter City at Portman Road, with a place in the Championship secured with a win.

His journey went smoothly until he reached the A12 near Woodbridge when he realised his Ford needed a change of tyre.

Mr Mitchell, who had only ever changed a tyre once before, was forced to make a stop for some urgent repairs with the help of a passer-by.

The Ford with the spare tyre (Image: Jim Mitchell)

He said: "Pulling off the A12 close to the Woodbridge roundabout, I tried to stay calm.

"This was only the second change of wheel I had faced, and my memory isn’t always able to co-ordinate the procedures necessary to get things in their right order."

The spare wheel was only able to go at a maximum speed of 50mph, meaning the Blues fan was in a race against time for the 3pm kick-off.

By the time he had reached Ipswich, Town had already scored – Mr Mitchell even heard the cheers from Conor Chaplin's eighth-minute opener.

Massimo Luongo, George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead also netted before a second Chaplin goal, with Mr Mitchell still making his way to the ground at this point.

Jim Mitchell drove from Carlton Colville to Ipswich (Image: Jim Mitchell)

He eventually made it to his seat in the Magnus Group west stand for the second half and had the consolation of seeing Wes Burns score the sixth to wrap up Town's memorable, promotion-clinching day.

Mr Mitchell added: "I was greeted by grinning Town fans who were only too keen to inform me that I had missed five goals already. All scored by the home side. And where had I been?"

Despite his misfortune, Mr Mitchell cannot wait to see Town play in the Championship again – and face arch-rivals Norwich City once more.

He added: "Inevitably, thoughts turn to next season's matches against the ‘old enemy’. I’m sure they will be relishing the prospect of two local derbies."