Ipswich Town have not been in England’s top flight since 2002, with the Tractor Boys becoming Championship regulars over the last two decades.
Things hit a new low in 2019 when they sank to the third tier for the first time in nearly 30 years. Paul Lambert’s side finished rock bottom of the Championship and spent four years in League One before Kieran McKenna took them up in his first full season at the helm.
And rather than focus on consolidating their second-tier status like Plymouth Argyle, who beat them to the League One title last year, Ipswich sought even bigger dreams, with the team securing a return to the Premier League after defeating Huddersfield Town on the final day of the Championship season.
It has been a remarkable campaign from all those involved at Portman Road. But who are the players that have taken the Tractor Boys this far, and who could shine for them in the Premier League next season?
Football FanCast takes a look at their current squad to have featured in at least one game, ranked by their Championship goal involvement during the 2023/24 season, with the help of stats from WhoScored.
Player
Joined club
Apps
Goals
Assists
Conor Chaplin
Jul 2021
44
13
8
Leif Davis
Jul 2022
43
2
18
Nathan Broadhead
Jan 2023
38
13
3
Omari Hutchinson
Jul 2023
44
10
5
George Hirst
Jul 2023
26
7
6
Wes Burns
Jul 2021
35
6
4
Sam Morsy
Aug 2021
42
3
6
Kieffer Moore
Feb 2024
18
7
1
Kayden Jackson
Aug 2018
29
3
3
Marcus Harness
Jul 2022
34
4
1
Jeremy Sarmiento
Jan 2024
20
3
1
Ali Al-Hamadi
Jan 2024
14
4
0
Massimo Luongo
Jan 2023
43
3
0
Jack Taylor
Jul 2023
33
2
1
Cameron Burgess
Aug 2021
39
2
1
Luke Woolfenden
Jul 2017
41
1
1
Harry Clarke
Jan 2023
35
1
1
George Edmundson
Jul 2021
10
0
2
Brandon Williams
Aug 2023
15
2
0
Axel Tuanzebe
Sep 2023
18
0
1
Cameron Humphreys
Jul 2022
3
0
1
Vaclav Hladky
Jul 2021
46
0
0
Lewis Travis
Jan 2024
9
0
0
Janoi Donacien
Jan 2019
3
0
0
Dominic Ball
Jul 2022
10
0
0
Gerrard Buabo
Jul 2021
1
0
0
Sone Aluko
Aug 2021
1
0
0
Christian Walton
Jan 2022
1
0
0
All data correct as of 5th May 2024.
Christian Walton Goalkeeper
Christian Walton was gifted the last few moments of Ipswich's promotion campaign, having spent the league season looking on from the subs' bench after recovering from injury early on. He can now say he played his part on the pitch, though whether he can truly claim to have gone the whole year without conceding might take some convincing.
Sone Aluko Forward
Sone Aluko is one of Ipswich’s more experienced players, and although he played a minimal part in their promotion push with just one league appearance off the bench, he remains an important figure for the team off the pitch.
He also scored in the Tractor Boys’ EFL Cup victory over Bristol Rovers back in August.
Gerrard Buabo Forward
With just three Championship minutes to his name this term, Gerrard Buabo has been firmly on the fringes of the first team in recent months. But given he was also handed runouts in Ipswich’s FA Cup run, the 18-year-old could yet be in McKenna’s long-term plans.
The highest points tallies in Championship history
Some teams truly go up in style…
ByCharlie SmithMay 17, 2025 Dominic Ball Midfielder
Dominic Ball found minutes hard to come by this season, but remains a trusted member of the squad after helping the club to promotion from League One.
Ball has struggled with injuries which have restricted his time in Ipswich colours, though he is an experienced player at this level, having previously turned out for QPR and Rotherham United, as well as Rangers when the Scottish giants were in the Championship.
Janoi Donacien Defender
St Lucia international Janoi Donacien is another who has been unlucky with injury, as a groin problem has severely derailed his campaign, having been a mainstay as Ipswich won promotion from League One. He started each of Ipswich’s opening three games but has not featured for the first team since November.
Lewis Travis Midfielder
Lewis Travis became a useful option for McKenna’s side since joining on loan in January from Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers.
Yet to lose in Ipswich colours, Travis’ highlight arguably came on his debut when his defence-splitting pass helped Kayden Jackson to score a vital equaliser in their comeback win over Sunderland.
Vaclav Hladky Goalkeeper
Vaclav Hladky clocked up more minutes under his belt than any other Ipswich player, with the Czech shot-stopper playing all bar the final seconds of their final-day victory.
A vital component of the team’s success this year, Hladky is also no stranger to a yellow card – he picked up three in Ipswich’s opening six games. However, he has also been impressive in penalty shootouts at his previous clubs, so could be worth considering as a budget goalkeeper in next season’s Fantasy League.
Cameron Humphreys Midfielder
Cameron Humphreys became a key player in last year’s promotion run, but had to be patient for opportunities this term, having mainly featured in Ipswich’s cup fixtures.
Humphreys’ best moment in his limited Championship minutes this year came in the dramatic 2-2 draw at Birmingham City in November, when he kept Omari Hutchinson’s cross alive before Marcus Harness superbly volleyed home.
Axel Tuanzebe Defender
Axel Tuanzebe made his name at Manchester United, and via loan spells in the Championship and Italy’s Serie A, the DR Congo defender joined Ipswich’s promotion push after finding himself without a club in the summer.
His versatility has come to the fore in more recent months, with the defender filling in at right-back in 12 of Ipswich’s last 14 games, of which they lost just one.
Brandon Williams Defender
Another talent from Man Utd’s production line is Brandon Williams, who has spent the current season on loan at Portman Road. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, he has suffered multiple injury setbacks this term.
He had started the season in impressive fashion, too, having grabbed an important equaliser at Huddersfield Town before scoring again in Ipswich’s win over Preston in October, all while ending on the winning side in eight of his first ten matches.
The 10 best Championship play-off finals – ranked
This year’s final is drawing closer.
ByCharlie SmithMay 23, 2024