 In the 1974 – 75 season , Ipswich finished third in the First Division and were losing semi @-@ finalists in the FA Cup . Suffering from cancer and becoming less able to carry out his duties as Chairman , John Cobbold swapped roles with director Patrick Cobbold in 1976 . In the 1975 – 76 and 1976 – 77 seasons Ipswich finished in the top six of the league and in 1977 , they signed Paul Mariner from Plymouth for a club record £ 220 @,@ 000 . Mariner 's efforts ( including seven goals in the tournament ) helped the club to the second major honour in its history ; Roger Osborne scored the winning goal in a 1 – 0 victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium . The club 's league fortunes dipped dramatically during the season finishing 18th , just three points above the relegation places , but the Cup success secured qualification for the following season 's European Cup Winners ' Cup . Over the next two seasons Robson brought Dutchmen Arnold Mühren and Frans Thijssen to the club while the team achieved two further top six finishes in the First Division . However , it was the 1980 – 81 season which , in Robson 's words , " ... helped put Ipswich on the map ... " . 
