By 
Getting Started with the Match History Project
So I stumbled upon this old football program from the 80s in my dad’s attic last Tuesday, right? Saw Ipswich vs United on the cover and it sparked an idea. Thought: “Wouldn’t it be cool to map EVERY single clash between these two teams?” Grabbed my laptop around 9PM with cold pizza still on the plate.
The Research Nightmare
First mistake: assuming this would take two hours tops. Started with simple Google searches like “Ipswich Man Utd results” but kept hitting paywalls or dodgy fan forums with broken links. Found three different websites claiming different scores for the same 1978 match!
- Spent Wednesday scrolling through microfiche at the local library – found 12 matches from 1946-1952 missing from online records
- Messaged a Norwich supporter (painful!) who actually had physical FA Cup programs from the 70s
- Frustratingly discovered Wikipedia had Man Utd winning 2-1 in 1993 when it was actually 1-1
Building the Timeline
Finally decided to make my own bloody spreadsheet last Thursday. Started with the first-ever meeting in 1937 – found out Ipswich were still playing in bloody blue and white stripes back then! Noticed some funny patterns over the decades:
The Ferguson Era basically murdered Ipswich’s chances. From 1992 onwards, United won 80% of games. But the real shocker was in Division Two years – Ipswich actually dominated United in the late 40s! Who knew?
The Final Tally Drama
Thought I’d wrapped up Saturday morning until my United-fan neighbor Dave came over for tea. The bloke pulls out this ancient notebook where his granddad recorded matches since 1947. Turns out I’d missed two friendlies from 1951! Almost threw my laptop out the window.
What This Mess Taught Me
Football history’s built on dodgy memories and lost paperwork. The “official” records? Full of holes. My final list shows 56 competitive meetings – 22 United wins, 19 Ipswich wins, 15 draws. But ask me again next week when Dave’s cousin finds that missing 1963 program in her shed!