Portman Road will be hosting international football next week when England take on Lithuania at U21 level. 

Gareth Southgate’s young lions face the current leaders of Group 1 of the U21 European Championship qualifiers at Town on October 15, with kick-off at 6pm. 

It will be the first international game Blues have hosted since England U21s drew 2-2 with Moldova in August 2006.     

Three years earlier Portman Road saw David Beckham and co in action for England’s senior team in a 3-1 win over Croatia in a friendly. 

“We are delighted we have been chosen to host this prestigious game. It’s fantastic news for Ipswich Town Football Club,” Town’s joint managing director Ian Milne told the Club website. 

“It will be a chance for our supporters to watch some of the most exciting young players in the country in action for the national team.”

England U21 boss Gareth Southgate added: “I’m really looking forward to this game.

“Whenever we take our matches all around the country, the reaction of supporters has been brilliant.

“I think we’ll be seeing an exciting group of young players who people will look forward to going to watch.

“It’s great news for us because I think we’ll get a very good crowd there, they’ll be very supportive.

“They’ve got a crowd that are knowledgeable about their football too, so that will be a real lift for us as a team.”

The game is likely to see a first return to Portman Road for Connor Wickham,   who left Blues to join Sunderland in the summer of 2011. The former Town Academy graduate has been a regular in the England U21 squad over the past year. 

Tickets are priced for the game at £10 adults; £5 U16s and £5 Over 65s.

Family tickets are available at £20 for two adults/two children. 

Group bookings for 15 people or more (no age restrictions and bookable in advance only) are priced at £5 adults, £2.50 concessions.

Charter Standard Clubs: Up to 25 complimentary tickets on proof of membership. Application forms will be sent to all Charter Standard clubs in the area.
Tickets requested by Charter Standard groups for the match must be collected on the day of the game. They should be picked up from the Ticket Office on Constantine Road, which will be made available as a collection point on the day and will open at 12.00 midday. 

No tickets can be posted. 

Tickets for this game will be sold online via www.itfcdirect.com, in person at the Planet Blue Superstore and also via the dedicated telesales line for disabled supporters, family tickets and group bookings ONLY.

There has been a new FA England Under 21 telephone sales/enquiry line added specifically for this game (10am - 4pm). Fans wanting to book family tickets, disabled supporter tickets and group bookings should call 0871 964 2116.  Any fan can also call this line for assistance with their purchase online. Any fan calling this number to book tickets for up to 14 people (not including family ticket) will be referred back to booking online. Please note this is a premium rate telephone number.

Town season ticket holders are not eligible to their season ticket seat for this game. They must purchase a match ticket.

Location, location, location 

Under the direction of the FA, tickets will be sold in the Lower Cobbold and Lower Sir Bobby Robson stands first. 

There will be a booking fee of £1.00, per transaction, added to internet and telesales orders.

England bonus 

England’s senior team complete their World Cup qualifying campaign with a home game against Poland at Wembley on the same night and Town are making sure you don’t miss any of the action. 

Watch the future players of England in action on the Portman Road pitch, then sit back and view Wayne Rooney and co hopefully clinch a place in Brazil next summer.

To experience the VIP treatment at Portman Road for the U21 international, contact the Club’s sales team on (01473) 400594 or email sales@itfc.co.uk, with hospitality from just £65 + VAT per person.

Or if you are watching the young lions from the stands, then Legends will also be open after the U21 match so you can watch the World Cup qualifier against Poland live on the big screen.