Young Argentinian full-back Mauricio Taricco arrived at Ipswich Town
from Argentinos Juniors for around £150,000 in September 1994, making
his debut soon after in a desperate 3-0 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers
in the League Cup. His league debut did not arrive until the following
season, in a 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion in Division One on 26th
August 1995. Taricco quickly made an impression as a solid defender
blessed with immaculate passing ability and considerable attacking
flair, and he went on to make 47 appearances that season. Mauricio began
1996-97 with his first goal for Ipswich in a 5-2 win over Reading. His
burgeoning talent earned him the supporters vote for player of the year,
and he confirmed his popularity with a goal against rivals Norwich City
on the evening that he collected the award. Ipswich's 2-0 victory that
night went a long way towards securing their place in the play-offs.
There they were edged out by Sheffield United and Taricco's
disappointment was clear to see. Mauricio made another 53 appearances as
Ipswich missed out in the play-offs again in 1997-98. An eventful
season saw them enjoy a thrilling League Cup run, in which Taricco
scored against both Manchester United - a superb long-range, curling
effort - and Chelsea. Continued good form at the start of 1998-99, which
included a spectacular goal following a run from inside his own half
against Crystal Palace, caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur, whose
bid of £1.775m Ipswich found impossible to refuse. His final game for
the club turned out to be a 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on
3rd November 1998, when he was stretchered off in the last few minutes.
That represented a sad farewell for a hugely popular player. (Csaba Abrahall) |