Original: Portman Road was home to Ipswich Town 's first Football League match on 27 August 1938 , a 4 -- 2 victory against Southend United in Division Three ( South ) witnessed by more than 19,000 spectators .
Simplified: Portman Road was home to Ipswich Town 's first Football League match on 27 August 1938 . Ipswich won 4 -- 2 against Southend United in front of more than 19,000 spectators .