An Ipswich Town supporter who gained local fame when the side were relegated said it felt “like a dream” to be back in the Premier League.

Katie Worby was pictured holding a banner that read “We’ll be back again” after the Tractor Boys lost 5-0 at Anfield in May 2002.

Mrs Worby, 42, said it would be “surreal” to see her side once again playing Liverpool in the top flight.

“It was taking a very long time to get back but back-to-back promotions were just like a dream,” she said.

Kieran McKenna’s side are due to play the six-time European champions at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon in their opening league fixture.

They have been buoyed in recent days by the signing of Sammie Szmodics, the Championship’s top scorer last season, and a season-long loan deal for midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

It represented a far cry from the despair felt by Mrs Worby, her brother, Adam Chittock, and a friend, on Merseyside 22 years ago.

“We went up to Liverpool knowing we were going to get relegated,” said Mrs Worby, who attended her first Ipswich game aged five.

“We knew it was likely to happen, so we made the banner the night before.”

A photo captured of Mrs Worby, from Claydon, and her brother appeared in the local newspaper at the time.

“It’s really crazy, we were in the papers then and now it’s come back and we are in our forties,” she added.

Mrs Worby said she now attended games with her two boys – aged nine and 15.

“There is a buzz in the family but also in the town, and it’s really lovely the community is getting behind the side,” she said.