Former EADT and Ipswich Star sports editor Tony Garnett reported on Ipswich Town for more than 40 years, from the 1960s until he retired in 2007. Here, he looks back at the reign of Bobby Ferguson...
In 1983-84 Ipswich were fighting a desperate battle against relegation.
Survival in the top-flight looked a lost cause until a spectacular recovery saw the club collect 17 points from their final seven games.
This included a 2-2 draw with champions Liverpool at Anfield and a memorable away win over Manchester United.
It was at Old Trafford that Bobby Ferguson, leaving the pre-match meeting with the referee, went into the Manchester United dressing room instead of his own.
When Ferguson told his players what had happened it lightened the mood. Pre-match pressure was relieved, which almost certainly contributed to the victory.
Ferguson was on a hiding to nothing succeeding Bobby Robson. Tactically he was superb but unlike Robson he never had the knack of maintaining a happy dressing room.
It was in his nature to be hot-headed with anyone, particularly directors and supporters, who held different views to his own.
Typical of Ferguson was a story of Russell Osman and Terry Butcher being given a rough time by Norwegian players in a pre-season friendly. Ferguson told them to look after themselves in the second-half.
He had a cautious nature. Once he became a firm friend he was loyal, but you had first to earn his trust.
He would usually ring me if a journalist had phoned. He would stall them and ask me whether he should ring them back or give them a wide berth.
Charlie Woods, whom he chose as his assistant, once let him down badly. He was left in charge after Ferguson stayed with relations in the north. The team bus stopped at the Stamford George, a famous old coaching inn.
The players were given a private room for their meal while the travelling directors, who had already enjoyed a large lunch, stayed in the bar.
Woods was a non-drinker, but I am told he had been persuaded to try a strong lager on the coach.
While they were dining someone said: "What's green and cannot catch?" This started a food fight which Woods was unable to control.
In 1985-86 Ipswich were relegated after 18 years at the top. It was close, Oxford United winning 3-0 against Arsenal in a rearranged match two days after Ipswich had finished their fixtures. One wonders just how interested the Gunners were having to play this extra match.
It was a nightmare defeat at Oxford at the end of November that turned out to be crucial.
Ipswich were three up in 53 minutes at the Manor Ground. They seemed to be coasting to victory.
The ever-reliable Paul Cooper was injured. Ferguson promoted young Jon Hallworth for his debut ahead of the more experienced reserve Mark Grew.
Oxford scored four including a hat-trick from John Aldridge. As to whether Grew would have done any better than Hallworth, at fault for only one of the goals, is open to question
A perilous financial position, brought about by ground development at Portman Road, saw George Burley, Eric Gates, Osman and Butcher move on.
By now the team was a blend of experience with talented youngsters from the club's youth policy.
Ian Atkins and Ian Cranson were key men in defence in front of Cooper. Jason Dozzell, who made his first team debut under Ferguson at the age of 16 years and 57 days, and Mark Brennan were the youngsters, winning England under 21 honours.
Kevin Wilson was top scorer as Ipswich reached the play-offs where they went out to Charlton Athletic in the two-leg semi-final. Ipswich missed the injured Cranson at the back. They drew 0-0 at Portman Road and then lost 2-1 at The Valley.
Ferguson's contract was not renewed. He knew the axe was coming. I gave him a lift home from London.
I had Evening Star reporter Dave Allard with me. Back at Portman Road we went to the Board Room, opened the drinks cabinet and had stiff whisky.
The Ipswich board should have stood by Ferguson but it is understandable that they were swayed by discontent on the terraces, falling gates and reduced season-ticket sales.
When it became known that such a talented coach was looking for another job there was no shortage of interest. He was soon winning trophies for Al Arabi in Kuwait.
He was a member at Ipswich Golf Club playing off a single-figure handicap, and, despite a troublesome knee, kept fit by swimming.
Once he retired from football he turned his attention to rescue dogs which were given long walks and responded to strict discipline.
He was a keen follower of horse racing and was a close friend of the late Newmarket trainer Geoff Wragg.
Abingdon Place was not a gambling yard so winners at Royal Ascot, and there were several, started at good prices.
I once played golf with Ferguson and Geoff Wragg at Woodbridge. I was fortunate enough to hear about Pentire, Arcadian Heights and Teenoso before they won big races.
For many years he had a season-ticket at Newmarket. Ferguson was also a founder member of the East Anglian Daily Times Racing Club which had horses trained by Mark Tompkins at Newmarket.
We often travelled together to Newmarket, but once to Carlisle to watch our syndicated horse run. Tompkins had three fancied runners that day. They all ran down the field.
A single-figure player, Ferguson was a member at Ipswich Golf Club. He was often part of my team in Football Writers' Association golf tournaments and PGA East Region events.
We won the Seiko Cup and expensive watches at Royal Mid Surrey in 1989 when my other team members were the late Jon Marks, a former England Seniors' captain, and Lee Dinmore.
Ferguson hated anything underhand. Once he was playing in a charity golf day at Newmarket when someone, who should have known better, asked him what his handicap was.
He said: "It's nine." He was appalled when it was suggested that he should play off 18.