Norwich pub landlord supports arch-rivals Ipswich – and derby day is family affair too

The Old Farm Derby between Ipswich Town and Norwich City is the biggest game of the year for many football fans in East Anglia - but it's also a family affair for a Norwich pub landlord.

Phil Cutter has been landlord of The Murderers in Norwich since the 80s despite being an Ipswich Town fan. The Suffolk-born publican began following the Tractor Boys at the height of their success during the 80s but entered enemy territory when his dad was relocated to Norwich due to a job with the Post Office.

Town take on Norwich City in the early kick-off on Saturday knowing a victory could be a huge boost in their Championship promotion push. They have an awful record in the 'Old Farm' derby though with the Canaries unbeaten in 13 meetings, a run stretching back 14 years.

READ MORE: What Erik ten Hag got right and wrong as Chelsea beat Man Utd in astonishing fashion

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand looks a broken man as Joe Cole wildly celebrates Chelsea beating Man Utd

If the Blues are able to end that run then Mr Cutter will be able to put a stop to the ribbing from pub regulars as well as his canary-supporting son Jake, 21, who is a season-ticket holder at Carrow Road.

He said: "It's a difficult burden to carry. We have gone almost 14 years without beating them and we drew at Christmas. Of course we are riding high and doing very well now but I don't think Norwich fans will care where they finish as long as they beat Ipswich.

"That's the big problem that we have. Norwich will say the league position does not matter. It's everything or nothing on Saturday."

The derby has been shunned and joked about by many due to the sleepy stereotypes of East Anglia although ex-Prem referee Keith Hackett once described it as "the most aggressive atmosphere that I've ever encountered".

Despite the two teams being separated by 40-odd miles, Mr Cutter hit back at the suggestion that this was a rivalry that lacked the same intensity as others in England.

He said: "I think there's no rivalry anywhere near this. They have always been jostling for the position of the best team in the region. Ipswich have had a few poor seasons and Norwich have been in the Premier League.

"You go to places like Sheffield and they work with each other in the same building or community. They might live in the same street but support different teams.

"It's the same in Manchester where they work together or live together in the same family. There will always be that rivalry there but they share each other's pockets.

"With Ipswich and Norwich there's 40 miles different. Ipswich and Norwich are based around football - there's no other sports really here and that makes far a fantastic rivalry as there's always that fight to be on top. As a landlord of a busy Norwich pub as an Ipswich fan it's the banter and rivalry that is massive and it's great to be a part of."

Ipswich Town, managed for former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur coach Kieran McKenna, have surprised plenty by putting themselves in contention for back-to-back promotions after finishing runners-up in League One last season.

Victory over their arch-rivals would be the icing on top of what could be a historic season if they are to end their 22-year exodus from England's top-flight. But Norwich City will be no walkovers having won four of their last six Championship matches and sneaking into the final play-off spot.