Much of its work now available online on the ITFC Charitable Trust web site.

The project, which is directed by the ITFC Charitable Trust, managed by Suffolk-based heritage experts Oakmere Solutions Ltd and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has catalogued and will use the club's unique collection of football artefacts, programmes, trophies, historic documents, visual images, audio recordings and other memorabilia as a source of inspiration. In particular it will support the trust develop new materials for its teaching programmes and learning initiatives, for example in numeracy and literacy where the stories that surround items from the archive offer a strong and exciting motivation to learn. The project has also captured oral histories on topics and themes thrown up by the archive, researched local history and staged exhibitions of items from the archive. Much of this is now available online.

Commenting at the launch of the online resource, Oakmere Solutions director Dr Peter Funnell, said: “With the help of a dedicated team of volunteers we have catalogued a very wide range of artefacts, including cups, medals and paper documents. Individually and collectively they help tell the story of the club and its place in the development of Ipswich, Suffolk and beyond.”

ITFC Charitable Trust Chief Executive Terry Baxter, added: "By using the web the project has brought the club's heritage to supporters and others to use and enjoy and for the trust this on-line resource will be a major teaching and learning aid for years to come."

The project web presence can be found on the ITFC Charitable Trust site. It includes a fascinating set of research articles, features on items from the archive written by supporters, links to film clippings and other relevant web sites.

Commenting on the project, HLF Development Manager, Stuart Hobley, said: "Passion for your local football team is something that is passed on from generation to generation, and the wealth of archive images, programmes and ITFC memorabilia will give everyone the opportunity to learn about the club’s history.”

Looking to the future development of the web presence, Dr Funnell said: "We are working to ensure that through the ITFC Supporters Club and others the material on the web can continue to grow and expand and become an invaluable resource for those looking to understand more about football in Ipswich and its impact on people and communities."

The project will run until September 2013.

Further information

ITFC Charitable Trust: Terry Baxter – Chief Executive on 01473 400 506, email: terry.baxter@itfc.co.uk.