 Ipswich Town F.C. were elected to The Football League on 30 May 1938 by a margin of just two votes , at the expense of Gillingham F.C. , initially playing in Division Three ( South ) . The club 's last competitive match before the league was suspended due to the Second World War was a 1 – 1 draw with local rivals , Norwich City . Both John Murray Cobbold and director Robert Nevill Cobbold were killed during the war , the position of director being filled by John Cavendish Cobbold in 1948 . Despite the interruption due to the war , Duncan managed the club for over 500 games between 1937 and 1955 . Following three successive top @-@ eight finishes , the 1949 – 50 season ended with Ipswich in 17th position in Division Three ( South ) , the club 's lowest ever league finish . 
