The sports department of an East Anglian newspaper has had to swallow its pride and axe a feature which poked fun at a rival football club.

Norwich football paper the Pink ‘Un, which is produced by the Evening News, launched a ‘Down Town’ feature following Ipswich Town’s promotion to the Premiership in May.

The item boasted a clock – which counted down the days until Ipswich were relegated from the top flight.

But following an amazing run which has seen the ‘Tractor Boys’ shoot to fourth in the Premiership, the self-confessed Norwich City-supporting Pink ‘Un has had to eat humble pie and drop the feature.

Deputy editor Andrew Ryan said: “The Countdown Clock was always intended to be a little bit of fun as a lot of people were expecting Town to be relegated so we went along with this feeling.

“But now they are performing really well, and we have been impressed – so we have decided to say enough is enough and take the clock down.”

However, the Pink ‘Un team isn’t quite finished.

Andrew said: “We wouldn’t want any supporter to think we’ve conceded defeat – we’ve got another great idea for the new year.”