Norwich City will have a rare taste of Thursday night football after the late-season trip to Portman Road next Easter was rescheduled.

The match has been brought forward from Good Friday, April 22 at 1.15pm, and will now be played the night before – with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The change is as a result of discussions between Ipswich and Suffolk Constabulary.

Thursday night matches are few and far between in City's history – the most recent was back in November, 2001, during the days of the ill-fated ITV Digital deal, when City travelled to Stockport for a Championship fixture and were beaten 2-1.

There have been others, usually because Bank Holidays fell on a Thursday, although the second round replay against Swindon in the legendary 1958-59 FA Cup run was on Thursday, December 11.

East Anglian derbies are more renowned for being switched to mid-day kick-offs – the next trip to Portman Road will be the first time the teams have faced each other in the evening since City won 1-0 at Portman Road on October 20, 1998 – when Craig Bellamy scored the goal.

Ipswich said that 'extensive discussions have taken place recently between Town and Suffolk Constabulary and it has been agreed to bring the match forward to avoid potential problems and the possible significantly increased costs which playing over the Easter holiday period may have generated'.

A club spokesperson added: 'Supporters have voiced varying concerns over the date of the fixture; travel difficulties due to a Bank Holiday limited service as well as a desire to mark Good Friday in a traditional religious manner.

'After listening to all parties it has been agreed to play the game on the Thursday evening.

'For fans of both clubs, the derby games are the most important fixtures of the season and we feel that bringing the game forward to miss the Good Friday holiday period gives the supporters of both clubs the best opportunity of being at Portman Road for what we are sure will be a great occasion.'