After what was a pretty nondescript season the year before, Ipswich Town and Mick McCarthy were looking to progress ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

The East Anglian outfit finished just four points off the relegation zone at the end of the 2016/17 campaign, and there was a collective effort for that not to be repeated.

Efforts were stepped up to improve recruitment and assure Ipswich were well away from a relegation battle and looking ahead to a play-off push.

And on August 7, 2017, McCarthy made a signing that captured the imagination of Ipswich’s supporters.

Martyn Waghorn arrived at Portman Road on a two-year deal from Scottish giants Rangers.

The fee was undisclosed, but the striker moved back south of the border having notched 16 goals in the SPL.

And the fans were understandably excited by his arrival.

Waghorn hit the ground running as the club’s new number nine - scoring on his Championship debut in the opening day win over Barnsley.

Two goals against former side Millwall followed before a fourth goal in three matches came in the win over Brentford.

It was a sensational start to life at Portman Road for the then 27-year-old and things would only get better for the forward.

He would add six more goals before the turn of the year and be sitting on ten goals after his first four months with his new club.

It was scintillating form and a purchase that was undoubtedly paying dividends.

Courtesy of his exploits in front of goal, Ipswich were in 10th place when the New Year came, just five points off a play-off place.

A miraculous turn around after their debacle of a campaign the year prior.

After a goal drought that spanned 15 matches, Waghorn scored a brace in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

It was a brief return to form, but he would only score four goals in his final 11 matches for the Tractor Boys.

Having been the club’s top scorer, the burden was placed squarely on his shoulders to produce the goods.

It wasn’t consistent enough, and that saw Ipswich finish 12th in the Championship.

After an impressive campaign, it was ultimately fruitless regarding promotion aspects.

There was indeed a lot of interest in the summer for the striker who was at the club without a manager.

McCarthy left before the end of the season, and the club’s stability had gone.

And soon enough, so was Waghorn.

Almost a year to the day since signing for Ipswich, the striker left the club after just one season.

There had been intense interest from Derby County, and that is the club he would join on August 8, 2018.

The news left many Ipswich fans shocked after what was a prolific campaign from the 28-year-old.

The initial reaction to Waghorn signing was positive, and the response to his departure mirrored that on the opposite side of the scale.

A one-season wonder for the Championship side, but his impact has had a lasting impression on the club’s supporters.