If you're good enough you are old enough - and Titus Bramble proved the point with an assured second half performance in Town's 2-1 win at Sheffield United.
Helped at the back by Adam Tanner and Tony Mowbray the 17-year-old local product ignored the television cameras to make his mark on his Town debut.
Bramble said: "Saturday night I was just very excited. The nerves didn't come until I got on the pitch.
"The first few touches were important and after that I was all right.
"Tony Mowbray talked to me a lot during the game and that helped me a lot."
Blues boss George Burley said: "Titus was very good; composed, strong, quick, another player with a very big future.
"I said to him before the game to go and enjoy it with all the young lads."
And it was a dream return to Yorkshire for Leeds-born Richard Naylor who hit a late winner on his 50th Town appearance.
Burley said: "Naylor worked very hard and it was nice for him to get the winner. It was a lovely ball in from Jamie Clapham and Richard got a good touch.
"We had to throw a team together but they showed a lot of character, especially in the second half when we started to get our passing game together.
"In the first half they were a little apprehensive about joining in the play which is not surprising for a young team.
"When you look at the ages through the team it was incredible to go to Sheffield and get a win."
Blades' boss steve Bruce said: "The late goal was cruel. Our youngsters didn't deserve to lose.
"It wasn't a classic game but I couldn't ask for anything more from my players."
Of Ipswich's players on Sunday, Richard wright, Kieron Dyer, John Kennedy, Adam Tanner, Wayne Brown and Naylor are all a product of the club's youth system.
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