England to face Croatia at Ipswich
The Football Association have confirmed that Ipswich’s Portman Road ground will host the friendly against Croatia on August 20.
The venue becomes the 13th different stadium to host an England match since the national side have been on the road.
FA’s marketing and communications director Paul Barber said: “We’re delighted to be staging a senior international at Portman Road, which is a superb stadium and an ideal venue for this game.
“This will be the 13th different stadium used since we started taking our senior matches around the country.
“Since February 2001 the England team have played in the north east, the north west, the west and east midlands, the south coast, Yorkshire, London and now East Anglia.”
Ipswich have staged four Under-21 games in the past and Barber added: “Past international matches at Ipswich have shown the passion of the local fans and the club fully deserves to host a full senior international.
“It will be the first international match of the new season and I’m sure we can look forward to a tremendous atmosphere in front of a capacity crowd in August.”
Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks said the award of the game showed the improvements that had been made to the Portman Road stadium, which has a capacity of 30,250.
He said: “It is a tremendous honour and I am really proud for this club that we have been selected to host a full international.
“It is a reflection on the huge improvements made in recent years to our pitch and stadium, as well as the professionalism of our staff who operate and service it.
“Most of all however, it is recognition for the sporting fans of East Anglia, whose fervent support of both this club and our various neighbours, has earned us the right to stage such a prestige occasion in our region.”
