Ipswich Town made a slow start to their 1997-98 Division 1 campaign, but as the season progressed manager George Burley started to shape a strong side. New additions like Matt Holland, Mark Venus and £1.1 million striker David Johnson all settled in well alongside the experienced Mauricio Taricco and Jason Cundy and the emerging young Kieron Dyer. A strong run after Boxing Day brought just a single defeat in 23 games with 17 of those won, propelling Ipswich into the play-offs. Unfortunately Town lost home and away to Charlton in the semi-finals, consigning them to another season in the second tier.