Ipswich fan's 24-hour trip for potential promotion

Alice Cunningham,BBC News, Suffolk
Scott Billison Scott Billison at Doha Airport with his Ipswich Town shirt when travelling back to the UKScott Billison
Scott Billison travelled 24-hours to get back for Ipswich Town's last game of the season

Ipswich Town football fans from across the UK will be hoping to see the club promoted to the Premier League later.

But for one fan, he has travelled across the world to make sure he sees this potential history-making moment.

Season ticket holder Scott Billison is a 26-year-old project engineer who moved to Tasmania in January for work.

He completed the 24-hour journey, arriving in the UK on Friday morning feeling "really pumped and excited".

Scott Billison Scott Billison with friend Mark Wall and Ipswich Town players before the Cardiff City match in SeptemberScott Billison
Mr Billison has been a Town fan for over 10 years

Mr Billison booked his tickets late on Wednesday night and left Tasmania the next morning.

"It was as smooth as it could have been but I'm very tired," he said.

"What a game to come back for."

Mr Billison said his employer had been "very accommodating and understanding" about his last-minute trip.

"They've actually become quite invested in Ipswich Town as I talk about it a lot at work so they knew what was going on and what position we were in," he said.

"Credit to them for letting me go, it's great."

Scott Billison Two of Scott Billison's pilots with his Ipswich Town shirt on his flight homeScott Billison
Mr Billison made sure to highlight Ipswich Town's potential promotion during his travels back

Mr Billison will be staying with family in Suffolk before he heads back across the world on Sunday night - but not before the eagerly anticipated game against Huddersfield.

"It’s been hard to get my head down on the planes because I’m feeling quite pumped for it," he said.

"I hope the lads deliver the deliver the goods on Saturday and get the promotion they all deserve.

"Regardless of the result though, it’s been a great season and journey - and I dare say, just the start."

Scott Billison Scott Billison with his family during a previous game against PlymouthScott Billison
Mr Billison will be using his season ticket to watch the game against Huddersfield

Having followed Town for more than 10 years and watching the "McKenna era" from the start, Mr Billison said "you can really feel how far we have come".

"It would certainly be the club’s most significant achievement since I’ve followed Ipswich, and it would mean so much to get it over the line with the journey we’ve all been on with the club in recent years," he said.

"Coming back for this game and supporting the team in achieving promotion would feel like a nice way to round off what I’ve seen, with being in Australia and not having easy access to future games in mind!"

Ipswich Town will take on Huddersfield from 12:30 BST.

BBC Radio Suffolk's build up to the match starts at 11:00 and will be followed by full commentary.

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