A Kesgrave baker and business owner was thrilled when she was asked to make birthday cupcakes for one of her favourite Town players growing up.

Laura Kent, of The Cake Station, based in Kesgrave near Ipswich, said the experience was "surreal" after her cupcakes were presented to ex-Town captain and club legend Matt Holland.

She regularly serves her cakes in the fan zone from a trailer at the stadium before every game, when the club asked her to make the cakes for Holland's 50th birthday on Thursday (April 11).

The retired player was surprised on air during Town TV coverage of the Championship game against Watford the day before.

Ipswich Star: Matt Holland with former Town player Cole Skuse and Maria Boswell, captain of Ipswich Town Women.Matt Holland with former Town player Cole Skuse and Maria Boswell, captain of Ipswich Town Women. (Image: Ipswich Town FC)

Ms Kent said: "It's still a bit surreal. As a child, he was my absolute favourite player - my mum contacted the club to ask him to sign a photograph for me, which I still have.

"We used to go to a lot of games together when I was young, and he was definitely the one I used to go for.

Ipswich Star: The cupcakes were presented to Matt Holland live on air.The cupcakes were presented to Matt Holland live on air. (Image: Laura Kent)

"I first of all couldn't believe he was 50. It was lovely to be asked.

"He posted the cupcakes to his story on Instagram, and commented on my post to say thank you, so it was really nice."

Ms Kent started the business in 2019 after having her son, Cooper, who is now five.

Ipswich Star: Laura Kent with five-year-old son Cooper, also a huge Town fan.Laura Kent with five-year-old son Cooper, also a huge Town fan. (Image: Kent family)

The mum-of-one added: "I didn't want to go back to my desk job full-time, so now I do that one day a week and spend the other four baking cakes.

"Cooper is a massive Ipswich Town fan, so every time we get a chance to go to the game he comes too.

"He's quite used to seeing famous footballers in person now, so he'll tell all his friends that I know all the famous footballers."

Ipswich Star: Matt Holland celebrates one of his 45 goals for Town.Matt Holland celebrates one of his 45 goals for Town. (Image: Newsquest)

Holland signed for Ipswich Town in 1997 and captained the team to promotion to the Premier League in 2000.

He spent six years with the Blues and made more than 300 appearances before leaving for Charlton Athletic in 2003.

Holland is now a respected broadcaster and regularly appears on Town TV and serves as a Trustee for the club's foundation.