Frank Yallop will be inducted into the Club's Hall of Fame this evening.
Born in Watford, Frank was playing in the North American Soccer League when he was spotted by a Town scout and invited for a trial. That went so well that he became part of the youth system at Portman Road and signed professionally for the Blues in 1983.
He made his debut for the first-team on 17 March 1984, and, after George Burley moved to Sunderland in September 1985, Frank was a tailor-made replacement for the full-back position.
In a career that saw Frank make almost 400 appearances for the Blues, particular highlights for Town included promotion to the inaugural Premier League in 1992 and scoring twice in three days, against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, in January 1993.
His time at Portman Road came to an end in 1996, when he crossed the Atlantic again to finish his playing career with MLS outfit Tampa Bay Mutiny. Thereafter, he embarked on a hugely successful coaching career in the United States.
"I am so proud and honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside great players that have played for the Club," Frank told the Club website.
"My first memories of the Club are of Sir Bobby Robson, the coaches, and the first-team players at the time. They were all so welcoming and helped me improve as a player and as a person. That didn't stop until my last day at the Club in 1996.
"I would like to thank the managers, coaches, players and people that have helped me along the way. I love this club!"
“When I joined in 1987, Frank was a very established player and a big character in the dressing room,” Simon Milton, Club Ambassador and former player, added.
“He was a funny guy and someone you could rely on in that full-back position. He was a vibrant person to have in the dressing room as well.
“He was strong, good in the air and decent with the ball. He was up and down and could get crosses in. He was similar to Mick Stockwell in that the two of them would do a good job, week in, week out.”
Frank is attending tonight's fixture with Fleetwood Town as a guest of the Club's, and will be doing a pitchside interview with Terry Butcher on the PA system at half-time.
