Ipswich Town F.C. was started as an amateur team in 1878 and was called `` Ipswich A.F.C. '' The club played a lot of games in the local area and won several cup competitions . The club was founded as an amateur side in 1878 and were known as Ipswich A.F.C. until 1888 when they merged with Ipswich Rugby Club to form Ipswich Town Football Club . The team won a number of local cup competitions , including the Suffolk Challenge Cup and the Suffolk Senior Cup .