SING UP THE RIVER END !

Royal Visit To Carrow Road - 1938

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000Z

This video club contains some brief footage of a red letter day in the history of Norwich City Football Club. On the 29th of October 1938 HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the city to open City Hall. In the afternoon, the King proceeded to Carrow Road to catch the Canaries in action against Millwall. It is believed this was the first time in history that a reigning monarch had attended a Football League Division Two match.

Over 21,000 attended the game, though unfortunately Norwich slipped to a 2-0 defeat. It is believed the Royal party stayed for only fifteen minutes.

Carrow Road was still a relatively new home for the Canaries at the time, having only moved in there in 1935. The footage you will be most interested in comes towards the end of the clip, with the roof of the Barclay and the uncovered South Stand clearly visible, together with the very briefest of action.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Your browser does not support iframes.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

with thanks to British Pathe
.

Debutants 1923

2012-01-27T04:30:00.000Z

Here is a list of all players who made their first team débuts for Norwich City Football Club in 1923 :

Robert Woolley   5 May 1923 v Luton Town (Division 3 S) (a) lost 4-0
Alex Christie   25 August 1923 v Millwall (Division 3 S) (h) drew 1-1
George Cooke   25 August 1923
Richard Field   25 August 1923
James Short   25 August 1923
Albert Sturgess   25 August 1923
Ernest Williamson   25 August 1923
James Jackson   27 August 1923 v Aberdare Athletic (Division 3 S) (a) drew 0-0
Sydney Smith   27 August 1923
Archie Reay   29 September 1923 v Merthyr Town (Division 3 S) (a) won 3-2
Jimmy Banks   6 October 1923 v Bournemouth (Division 3 S) (h) drew 1-1
Alan Phillips   27 October 1923 v Charlton Athletic (Division 3 S) (h) drew 2-2
.

Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion - Head To Head

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000Z

All Competitions

Norwich City 16 wins West Brom 23 wins 15 draws

Norwich goals 58 West Brom goals 74

Football League

Norwich City 14 wins West Brom 19 wins 13 draws

Norwich goals 51 West Brom goals 63

All league games at Norwich

Norwich City 8 wins West Brom 8 wins 7 draws

Norwich goals 31 West Brom goals 31

All league games at West Brom

Norwich City 6 wins West Brom 11 wins 6 draws

Norwich goals 20 West Brom goals 32

Cup Football

Norwich City 2 wins West Brom 4 wins 2 draws

Norwich goals 7 West Brom goals 11

West Bromwich Albion are one of the oldest clubs in the land and were original members of the Football League in 1888, when they finished in sixth position. They were in the top division for many of the early formative years of English football, only dropping to Division Two in 1901-02 for just a single season. They then enjoyed two more years in Division One before relegation again put them into the second level.

It was during this period that Norwich City first crossed paths with West Bromwich Albion - in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup on the 2nd of February 1907. The game would later take a special place in Norwich history as it provided one of the earliest occasions in which the club gained national attention. Only two years into professionalism, the Citizens were up against one of the more famous clubs in England. Much was made of the special week long preparations taken by the players, and a sizeable travelling support that made it's way from Norfolk to the Midlands. C.B.Fry scribed one of the earliest references to 'the Canaries' , the nickname officially adopted by Norwich soon after. As it turned out, the match was settled by a single goal by the 'Throstles' of West Bromwich in only the second minute. The game was played out in thick fog, and though beaten, it was an early indication that Southern League Norwich City had great hearts for cup competitions.

West Brom returned to the top flight after winning Division Two in 1910-11, and apart from four seasons at the end of the twenties and beginning of the thirties, remained there until just before World War Two. It was in the final campaign before football was suspended that the two clubs first met in the Football League. It was on the 1st of September 1938 at Carrow Road, and Albion won 3-2. They also recorded a victory in the return fixture the following April, 4-2 this time, and contributing to Norwich's relegation back to Division Three South after the war.

A long gap took place before the next clash - a 1969 FA Cup 3rd Round tie which West Brom won 3-0 at home. However, it was in the seventies that regular fixtures kicked in. Norwich of course gained top flight status for the first time in 1972-73 and immediately found themselves in a desperate relegation battle with Albion. On the 18th of November 1972, the Canaries won 2-0 at Carrow Road with goals from Graham Paddon and Dave Stringer. Of even more importance was the April game at the Hawthorns - a real four pointer, won by City through a David Cross goal. Cross would later become a West Brom player, but his strike ultimately sent them down to Division Two whilst the Canaries survived.

1974-75 though, saw Norwich also back in the second flight. A 1-1 draw at West Brom was followed by a 3-2 victory for City at home - Ted McDougall netting twice, once from the spot, and midfielder Mick McGuire nabbing the other. Norwich were promoted at the end of the season and West Brom joined them again in 1976-77. Many fixtures followed over the coming years though both clubs suffered relegations at different times. As City were winning Division Two for instance in 1985-86, West Brom were finishing bottom of Division One and moving in the opposite direction. The Baggies did not restore their top flight status until 2002-03 and even had to endure two years in the third tier in the early nineties.

Games between the clubs re-commenced when Norwich were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 1994-95 campaign. In the 1995-96 season, the Canaries won 4-1 at the Hawthorns through goals from Robert Fleck, Ashley Ward, Keith Scott and Neil Adams. West Brom got revenge the following year however with a 5-1 win. Norwich had to wait until 1999 before tasting victory in the series again - Iwan Roberts and Darel Russell scoring in a 2-1 win at Carrow Road.

This century, both clubs have been constant bobblers between divisions - West Brom between the top two flights and City doing likewise, as well as finding time for a single season in the third level. When Norwich won the last ever Division One competition in 2003-04, it was Albion who finished second and joined them in the Premier League. The Canaries went straight back down again, and although the Baggies narrowly survived, they too fell the following season. In the Championship in 2007-08, Norwich lost both games - they survived relegation, and the six points helped drive Albion to the title. The next contest came in the Premier League in 2011 with West Bromwich Albion winning 1-0 at Carrow Road. In the return match on the 14th of January 2012, the Canaries triumphed 2-1, with a goal in each half from Andrew Surman and Steve Morison.

In total eight cup games have taken place in history. Norwich have won twice, both in the League Cup, in 1974 and 1979. Also in 1974, West Brom won a Texaco Cup match 5-1. A well remembered tie was played out in the FA Cup 5th Round in 1982 at the Hawthorns, with only a superb Cyril Regis shot separating the sides on the day.

Formed in 1878 by workers from the Salter's Spring works, West Brom were originally called West Bromwich Strollers. As Albion, they went on to win the English league title in 1919-20. They have lifted the FA Cup five times (1888, 1892, 1931, 1954, 1968) and the League Cup once (1966). The club has played at the Hawthorns since 1900.

. For a list of players associated with both clubs, click here
http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2012/01/norwich-city-west-bromwich-albion_13.html
. For information on managerial associations, click here
http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2012/01/norwich-city-west-bromwich-albion.html

Did You Know ?

Fred Everiss was manager of West Bromwich Albion for an incredible 46 years from 1902 to 1948, managing a win ratio of over 43% from 1,520 matches in charge.

To see what part West Bromwich Albion have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the sidebar.

Most recent games
14 Jan 2012 (Premier League) West Brom 1 Norwich City 2
9 Sep 2011 (Premier League) Norwich City 0 West Brom 1
19 Apr 2008 (Championship) Norwich City 1 West Brom 2
27 Oct 2007 (Championship) West Brom 2 Norwich City 0
9 Apr 2007 (Championship) Norwich City 1 West Brom 2
11 Nov 2006 (Championship) West Brom 0 Norwich City 1

pictured : John Hartson, former Baggies player who was loaned to Norwich City in 2007, playing four games

Why Carrow Road ?

2012-01-25T06:30:00.001Z

Ever walked down Carrow Road on the way to a game and wondered why it is so called ? No, me neither. But in case you are troubled by not knowing, here is the answer.

I have had to draw heavily from the information found on Wikpedia, and after reading through the article half a dozen times, I am still not confident I can fully explain. But here goes.

From around 1146 onwards, a Benedictine Priory was located in the area we now identify as Bracondale. Originally that 'village' was called Carrow. King Stephen had given the land to nuns, on the direction that they would build a church there, and it was this that eventually became known as Carrow Abbey, dedicated to St. Mary of Carhowe. Historical documents offer other alternative spellings, such as Carhoe, Carehowe and Carrowe. Julian of Norwich (pictured) is believed to have received her training at the Abbey in the mid thirteen hundreds.

Ownership changed hands a number of times in later years, including in 1878 to J&J Colman, the famous Norwich based mustard makers. In 1954 it was deemed a Grade I listed building.

The area to the north east, leading up to the abbey, was therefore called Carrow Road, and it is here that the home of Norwich City FC has stood since 1935.
.

FA Cup - Norwich City Record 1950-1959

2012-01-25T06:30:00.000Z

1950-51
25 Nov 1950 1st Round (h) Watford won 2-0
9 Dec 1950 2nd Round (a) Rhyl won 1-0
6 Jan 1951 3rd Round (h) Liverpool won 3-1
27 Jan 1951 4th Round (a) Newport County won 2-0
10 Feb 1951 5th Round (a) Sunderland lost 3-1

1951-52
24 Nov 1951 1st Round (h) Northampton won 3-2
15 Dec 1951 2nd Round (h) Chesterfield won 3-1
12 Jan 1952 3rd Round (h) Arsenal lost 5-0

1952-53
22 Nov 1952 1st Round (a) Tonbridge drew 2-2
27 Nov 1952 Replay (h) Tonbridge won 1-0
6 Dec 1952 2nd Round (a) Brighton lost 2-0

1953-54
21 Nov 1953 1st Round (a) Yeovil Town won 2-0
12 Dec 1953 2nd Round (h) Barnsley won 2-1
9 Jan 1954 3rd Round (a) Hastings United drew 3-3
13 Jan 1954 Replay (h) Hastings United won 3-0
30 Jan 1954 4th Round (a) Arsenal won 2-1
20 Feb 1954 Leicester City (h) lost 2-1

1954-55
20 Nov 1954 1st Round (h) Headington United won 4-2
11 Dec 1954 2nd Round (h) Brighton drew 0-0
15 Dec 1954 Replay (a) Brighton lost 5-1

1955-56
19 Nov 1955 1st Round (h) Dorchester Town won 4-0
10 Dec 1955 2nd Round (a) Brighton won 2-1
7 Jan 1956 3rd Round (a) Sunderland lost 4-2

1956-57
17 Nov 1956 1st Round (h) Bedford Town lost 4-2

1957-58
16 Nov 1957 1st Round (h) Redhill won 6-1
7 Dec 1957 2nd Round (h) Brighton drew 1-1
11 Dec 1957 Replay (a) Brighton won 2-1
4 Jan 1958 3rd Round (h) Darlington lost 2-1

1958-59
15 Nov 1958 1st Round (h) Ilford won 3-1
6 Dec 1958 2nd Round (a) Swindon Town drew 1-1
11 Dec 1958 Replay (h) Swindon Town won 1-0
10 Jan 1959 3rd Round (h) Manchester United won 3-0
24 Jan 1959 4th Round (h) Cardiff City won 3-2
14 Feb 1959 5th Round (a) Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1
18 Feb 1959 Replay (h) Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0
28 Feb 1959 6th Round (a) Sheffield United drew 1-1
4 Mar 1959 Replay (h) Sheffield United won 3-2
14 Mar 1959 Semi Final (n) Luton Town drew 1-1 *
18 Mar 1959 Replay (n) Luton Town lost 1-0 **

1959-60
14 Nov 1959 1st Round (h) Reading drew 1-1
18 Nov 1959 Replay (a) Reading lost 2-1

* played at White Hart Lane, Tottenham
** played at St. Andrews, Birmingham

New Arrival

2012-01-24T15:37:00.000Z

It's time to welcome our newest arrival - not just to Norwich City but also to Sing Up The River End! Hopefully he will play a fruitful part in our history. Here is his career record so far :

Jonny Howson

age : 23
position : midfielder
signed from : Leeds United

playing record
Leeds United 2006-2012 225 appearances 28 goals

international honours
England U21 1 appearance 0 goals
.

Canary Fact File

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000Z

I know some people will visit this blog looking for facts, figures and trivia and won't want to read long passages of narrative. On a regular basis I will post fact files. To view all other similar posts just click on the label at the bottom. If more detailed information surrounding a fact exists elsewhere on Sing Up The River End!, this can be found using the search facility in the side bar.

Of the current Premier League clubs only two have crests that do not contain their name or initials - Norwich City and Wolves

Norwich City have had three homes - Newmarket Road, The Nest and Carrow Road

Ron Ashman was appointed manager of Norwich City on Boxing Day 1963, having been caretaker since the start of the month

Only two winners of the Norwich City Player of the Year award were born in Norfolk - Dave Stringer (1972) and Dale Gordon (1989)

The Canaries first ever manager in the Football League was Charles O'Hagan

Bobby Brennan was nicknamed 'Sir Robert' by his fellow '59 ers'

Life After City

2012-01-23T06:00:00.001Z

...........keeping a beady eye on ex Canaries and those out on loan

With the clock ticking on this January transfer window, there has already been activity involving Canaries past and present. On the loan front, Chris Martin remains at Crystal Palace, with the London club hinting that they may like to keep him a while longer yet. Josh Dawkin has returned to the safety of Carrow Road from trouble torn Kettering Town. George Francomb has joined Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League until the end of the season for some much needed game time. Tom Adeyemi, the victim of racial abuse whilst playing for Oldham Athletic against Liverpool recently, continues his education at Boundary Park.

Oli Johnson, who recently left Norwich City, has signed a contract until the summer with League Two outfit Oxford United. A number of clubs were said to have been interested in the 24 year old striker, including Carlisle United, where he had been training.

Michael 'The Admiral' Nelson left City in the January transfer window of 2011. Just a year later he is on the move again after a disappointing twelve months with Scunthorpe United. Despite thirty six appearances in all competitions for the Iron, he found himself out of favour and has now signed a three year deal with Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock. Another former Canary heading north of the border is Lee Croft who joins another Premier League outfit, St. Johnstone, on loan from his parent club Derby County.

Robert Eagle has returned to East Anglia, turning out recently for Lowestoft Town. The ex Norwich City youth midfielder was released by Conference club Grimsby Town before Christmas, having also had a spell on loan at Alfreton Town.

And finally one I missed earlier.......... Anthony McNamee, who left Norwich in the summer for Milton Keynes Dons, has been on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, where he played in six games.

Born This Week

2012-01-23T05:30:00.000Z

. January 23rd (Today)

Matthew Halliday ~ in 1987 in Norwich

Adrian Forbes ~ in 1979 in Greenford

. January 24th

Ian Henderson ~ in 1985 in Thetford

Alistair Miller ~ in 1936 in Glasgow

Frederick Dent ~ in 1896 in Sheffield

. January 25th

Simon Lappin ~ in 1983 in Glasgow

Ian Butterworth ~ in 1964 in Nantwich

Drazen Muzinic ~ in 1953 in Split, Yugoslavia

Phil Boyer ~ in 1949 in Nottingham

Phil Hubbard ~ in 1949 in Lincoln

Arthur Pembleton ~ in 1895 in Derby

. January 26th

Danny Crow ~ in 1986 in Gt Yarmouth

Shaun Elliott ~ in 1957 in Haltwhistle, Northumberland

Roger Hansbury ~ in 1955 in Barnsley

. January 28th

Nicky Southall ~ in 1972 in Middlesbrough

Reg Pointer ~ in 1935 in Norwich

Joseph Brain ~ in 1910 in Ebbw Vale

. January 29th

Jim Guy ~ in 1921 in Swansea

[This feature is produced weekly and posted on Sing Up The River End! every Monday]

Norwich City Signings By Manager - Bruce Rioch

2012-01-22T08:49:00.001Z

an attempt to record all Norwich City signings by the manager who brought them to the club

Cedric Anselin (loan to permanent)
Ged Brannan (loan)
Paul Dalglish (loan to permanent), Jean Yves de Blasiis, Pape Diop (loan)
Paul Hughes (loan)
Malky Mackay (loan to permanent), Phil Mulryne
Michael Watt

Total Players : 9

Bruce Rioch was in charge at Norwich City Football Club from 12th June 1998 to 13th March 2000

Youth players making the natural progression from the academy are not included. Future articles will take us back through history until all players and managers have been covered. To compare Bruce Rioch's history with the managers that followed him, click on the 'Signings By Manager' label below.
.

Ian Mellor

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000Z

I have already posted my tribute to Trevor Hockey, the man I believed largely responsible for Norwich City avoiding relegation in the 1972-73 season, at the same time acknowledging the arrival of Colin Suggett and his efforts to the cause. However, another young man was brought in at around that same period who also more than played his part in securing our top level status.

Ian Mellor, was a clever signing by Ron Saunders. Recognising the slide down the table during the winter months, the City manager paid £65,000 for the 22 year old left winger. For his money he got a player who was pacy and extremely tricky. He was tall, very tall, but used his awkwardness to great effect. He also had the ability to pop up unnoticed in the box and given his height, was a danger with his head. Whilst generally a wide man, he was excellent at cutting inside and causing a bit of mayhem amongst opposing defenders. As a young man myself at the time, I recall thinking that he was more creative than most I had seen in yellow and green - a player that could spark things off around him.

Remembering the gloom surrounding Carrow Road in early 1973, Ian Mellor was a great acquisition. He had learnt his trade at Manchester City alongside legends Francis Lee, Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee. His presence brought us some entertainment in the final third of the field and he was soon a favourite with the fans. In all, he featured in eleven of those relegation matches, and as I said, played his part in our ultimate survival. Along the way he also had a significant role in helping Norwich reach the final of the Texaco Cup that season, scoring three goals over the two legs in the semi final as City won 4-3 on aggregate against Motherwell.

Although his time with the Canaries lasted longer than that of Hockey, Mellor's contribution to Norwich City was also destined to be relatively short. He did play under Saunders' predecessor John Bond, but was increasingly overlooked as the new manager brought in his own men. To help fund this, Mellor was sold to Brighton in 1974 for £40,000 (a record for the south coast side at the time). It was a shame to see him go in many ways because he was always a dangerous player and liable to produce something a bit different. I remember a good goal he scored at Carrow Road against West Ham in a 2-2 draw early in that 1973-74 season. He also scored our only goal in the League Cup semi final games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, netting in the 1-1 first leg draw (we lost the second leg at Molineux 1-0, Mellor's last ever game in Norwich colours).

In all competitions he represented City 43 times, scoring 9 goals. His farewell league appearance was on the 12th of January 1974 in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at Highbury.

'The Spider', as he was known, had a great time at Brighton, not only scoring goals, but also acting as architect for the prolific Peter Ward. Spells at Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City were to follow. Wherever Ian Mellor was employed, he was always a popular player. After retirement, he became a PFA executive, and his son Neil currently plays for Preston North End.

Ian Mellor wrote just a few sentences in the history of our club. But given the times they were in, those sentences were vital and exciting.

Ian Mellor's League appearances :
1970-1973 Manchester City 40 - 7 goals
1973-1974 Norwich City 29 - 2 goals
1974-1978 Brighton & Hove Alb 122 - 31 goals
1978-1979 Chester City 40 - 11 goals
1979-1982 Sheffield Wednesday 70 - 11 goals
1982-1984 Bradford City 36 - 4 goals
before turning professional Ian Mellor played for Wythenshawe Amateurs, and after leaving Bradford City went to Worksop Town.

pictured : Ian Mellor - as a Norwich player but still in Manchester City colours !!

[This article has been updated and first appeared on Sing Up The River End! on the 15th of February 2010]
.

They Wore The Shirt

2012-01-21T06:00:00.000Z

........players who appeared in ten games or less for Norwich City Football Club

Herbert Butcher - a locally born goalkeeper who played in just one match for Norwich City, in their very first season of existence. He was one of five keepers used in that 1902-03 Norfolk & Suffolk League campaign, and regrettably had five goals knocked past him as Lynn Town beat the Citizens 5-4.

Mark Halsey - the Essex born utility player made his début on the 26th of April 1978 in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle in Division One - but was also sent off. Thereafter he was limited to just two further appearances in 1980, and went on to have a long association with Wroxham FC.

Patrick Boyle - a left back hailing from Glasgow, he joined City on loan from Everton in 2006, but suffered a back injury after just three appearances, dismissing any idea of an extension to the original one month deal. He left Everton in 2008, and has since played in Scotland, currently with Dunfermline Athletic.
.

Norwich City & Chelsea Players

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000Z

The following players have all had connections with Norwich City and Chelsea :

. George Anderson (F) *
. Ned Barkas (F)
. Ryan Bertrand (D) *
. Gordon Bolland (F)
. Jack Bradley (F)
. Geoff Butler (D)
. John Denoon (GK) *
. Len Dolding (W) *
. Bob Edwards (F)
. Robert Fleck (F) ***
. Danny Granville (D)
. Paul Hughes (M) *
. Percy Humphreys (F)
. Ray Kitchener (F) *
. Peter Osgood (F)
. Scott Parker (M)
. Ernie Reid (D) *
. David Rocastle (M) *
. Alan Rule (M) *
. Colin Shaw (F) *
. John Sissons (W) **
. Jimmy Smith (M/W) *
. Sam Smith (F) *
. Graham Stuart (M)
. Chris Sutton (F)
. Jimmy Thompson (F)
. Andy Townsend (M) **

* associated with Chelsea immediately before Norwich City
** associated with Chelsea immediately after Norwich City
*** sold to Chelsea in 1992 and bought back in 1995

All players listed made at least one competitive appearance for Norwich City. Their associations with Chelsea may have come through first team, reserve or youth football. Wartime guest appearances are not included, or trials in friendly matches.

.

Norwich City History Against......Chelsea

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000Z

All Competitions

Norwich City 14 wins Chelsea 16 wins 16 draws

Norwich goals 53 Chelsea goals 62

Football League

Norwich City 12 wins Chelsea 11 wins 11 draws

Norwich goals 44 Chelsea goals 44

All league games at Norwich

Norwich City 8 wins Chelsea 3 wins 6 draws

Norwich goals 26 Chelsea goals 15

All league games at Chelsea

Norwich City 4 wins Chelsea 8 wins 5 draws

Norwich goals 18 Chelsea goals 29

Cup Football

Norwich City 2 wins Chelsea 5 wins 5 draws

Norwich goals 9 Chelsea goals 18

The Canaries have a poor record over Chelsea in recent times, though they fared much better before the London club enjoyed huge financial investment and actually lead the series overall in terms of league games. Though for many years the clubs have played football at differing levels, what clashes there have been have produced a number of moments of historical note to the Norwich City story.

The first match against Chelsea was on the 30th of April 1908. It does not count in any official figures as it was a friendly, or to be more precise, a Norfolk & Norwich Hospital Cup game. These matches were organised annually at the end of the season to raise money for charity. Chelsea proved to be a worthy attraction, in a game that ended in a 3-3 draw. Significantly, it was also the last first team match Norwich ever played at Newmarket Road, before they moved across the city to the Nest.

The first competitive fixture did not come about until the 11th of January 1936. The Pensioners were a Division One club back then, with Norwich, by this time onto their third home, at Carrow Road, trying to establish themselves in the Second Division. This game was in the FA Cup 3rd Round. A Frank Manders goal helped the Canaries to a very creditable draw. The historical significance is that it was the first time Norwich had beaten the 30,000 barrier for a home attendance (to be exact 32,378 were there). Though they lost the replay at Stamford Bridge 3-1, it was a sign of good progress for the yellows.

Fans had to wait until the 17th of November 1962 for the first ever league meeting. Chelsea had slipped out of the top flight for the first time since the late twenties, though it was to be for just a single season. The game was in west London and the home team won 2-0. Norwich did much better in the return fixture the following April - two goals from Jimmy Hill, and one each from Terry Allcock and Alistair Miller enabling a 4-1 victory. At the end of the campaign though, Chelsea finished second in the table behind Stoke City, and went back up to Division One.

Another FA Cup match took place in 1968 which Chelsea won 1-0. But Norwich's arrival in Division One for the first time in 1972-73 saw games take place regularly. Both clashes ended in home wins - 3-1 to Chelsea and 1-0 to Norwich thanks to a David Cross goal. But that season would be remembered for two other matches between the clubs. Or to be correct, three matches. Despite a huge struggle to maintain their newly won place at the top table of English football, Norwich had a great run in the League Cup in 72-73. After winning 3-0 at Arsenal in the 5th Round, they were paired against Chelsea for the two legged semi final. Magnificently, City won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge courtesy of the potent strike partnership of Jimmy Bone and David Cross. They feared backlash at Carrow Road, but in another thrilling game were winning 3-2 with only five minutes left. They were in an unassailable position, leading 5-2 on aggregate and surely off to a Wembley final for the first time in history. Then, a thick, dense fog came down from the River Wensum. Players could not see three inches in front of their faces and with 300 seconds left on the watch, the referee took the players off the field - and they did not return. Devastatingly, Norwich were robbed of their great moment and the match was expunged from the records and replayed. Thankfully, for all concerned, justice was seen to be done. The Canaries won again on the 3rd of January 1973, defender Steve Govier, in for the injured Duncan Forbes, scoring the only goal of the game.

Both sides bobbled in and out of Division One between the mid seventies and mid eighties, and when the clubs did appear at the same level, honours were largely even. The following ten years however saw shared status at the top level, including the Premier League, of which both were founder members. Norwich enjoyed a few good wins during the period - winning 3-0 at home in 1987 (Kevin Drinkell, Ruel Fox and Jeremy Goss), 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in 1991 (Robert Fleck (2) and Mark Bowen) and 3-0 at home in 1994 (Ashley Ward (2) and Jamie Cureton).

However, City's relegation from the Premier League in 1994-95 meant an end to fixtures until they returned there for a single campaign in 2004-05. But Chelsea, by now well established at the top end of the scale won both games, 4-0 and 3-1. The next clash came in the Premier League in 2011, with Chelsea winning 3-1 in an incident packed match at Stamford Bridge in which Grant Holt scored for Norwich and goalkeeper John Ruddy was sent off whilst the score was 1-1. The return fixture saw a goalless draw, City's first clean sheet of the season at the 22nd attempt.

In total, the clubs have been involved in twelve cup ties. In addition to those already mentioned, three took place in the seventies in the Anglo Scottish Cup, and all three ended in draws ! This century, three more FA Cup games have occurred. In 2002, Norwich battled to a very honourable goalless draw at Carrow Road. However they lost the replay 4-0. The game will forever be remembered for a stunning near post back heeled goal by Gianfranco Zola, from an otherwise poor corner. In 2007, the Canaries were back at the Bridge once again, and lost, once again, 4-0. Goalkeeper David Marshall was injured in the tenth minute, and Chelsea scored twice in time added on - disguising an otherwise valiant effort from City.

Chelsea were formed in 1905, just a few years after Norwich and in fact in the year that City turned professional. The new London club tried to get into the Southern League, a dream cherished also by Norwich, but were unsuccessful, due in part to objections by established members Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham (the borough in which Stamford Bridge is actually located of course). Instead, Chelsea went straight into Division Two of the Football League, a move that helped enable Norwich to be voted into the Southern League. Since then, Chelsea have never been out of the top two tiers of English football, but it did take until 1955 for them to win their first silverware - as champions of the Football League. The period between the early 60's and the early 70's saw the Blues as a major force, winning the League Cup (1965), the FA Cup (in a famous replayed final against Leeds United in 1970) and the European Cup Winner's Cup (1971). In modern times, huge investment has transformed Chelsea into one of the biggest clubs in world football. They won the Premier League in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2009-10 and the FA Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

. For a list of players associated with both clubs, click here
http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2012/01/norwich-chelsea-players.html

Did You Know ?

Chelsea first reached an FA Cup Final in 1915, losing 3-0 to Sheffield United. It has forever been known as the Khaki Cup Final, due to the large number of soldiers in the crowd, bound for service in World War One.

To see what part Chelsea have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the sidebar.

Most recent games
21 Jan 2012 (Premier League) Norwich City 0 Chelsea 0
28 Aug 2011 (Premier League) Chelsea 3 Norwich City 1
17 Feb 2007 (FA Cup) Chelsea 4 Norwich City 0
5 Mar 2005 (Premier League) Norwich City 1 Chelsea 3
18 Dec 2004 (Premier League) Chelsea 4 Norwich City 0
16 Jan 2002 (FA Cup) Chelsea 4 Norwich City 0
5 Jan 2002 (FA Cup) Norwich City 0 Chelsea 0

pictured : Scott Parker, who had a brief loan spell at Norwich in 2000 and was a Chelsea player in 2004-05 (photo source BBC)

Time To Say Goodbye

2012-01-18T15:36:00.004Z

The following player has left Norwich City FC :

Ritchie De Laet
2011-2012 (on loan from Man Utd) 7 appearances 1 goal

He departs with our best wishes, and thanks for his service to the club
.

Stars Of The Past - Herbert Skermer

2012-01-18T06:30:00.001Z

Herbert Edward Skermer was born in the industrial village of Selston, Nottinghamshire on the 19th of February 1896. He was a highly rated young goalkeeper who had played local football for the colliery sides of Selston and Hartshay and made the journey to East Anglia to join Norwich City on 23rd December 1919. He went straight into the first team, making his debut on Christmas Day in the 1-0 away win at Swindon Town in the Southern League. Norwich had two other keepers on their books at the time. Joe Lansdale was the first choice in the two years prior to Herbert Skermer's arrival. His understudy was Jack Groves who made seven league and cup appearances in 1919-20 - his last being on 20th December 1919 in a 5-0 thumping against Darlington in the FA Cup. It opened the way for Skermer to establish himself, which he duly did, missing only three games for the rest of the season. He made 22 appearances conceding only 26 goals as City achieved a mid table finish.

The next season was a significant one for the Canaries, as they joined the Football League Division Three. Herbert Skermer became a professional player in the August and did not miss a single game all season, appearing in all 43 league and cup matches. He therefore made history by becoming Norwich City's first ever Football League goalkeeper, playing in the 1-1 draw at Plymouth on 28th August 1920. He achieved 14 clean sheets that season, as City finished in the lower half of the division.

In 1921-22 the section was regionalised into Division Three South and Skermer was again first choice keeper until Christmas. However in early 1922 he lost his place temporarily to Swardeston born Alfie King due to injury and a family bereavement. Though he returned for a few more games, he played in Norwich City colours for the final time on 4th March 1922 in the 0-0 draw at The Nest against Exeter City. A few days later keeper William O'Hagan, a relative of Charles O'Hagan who had been City's first Football League manager, joined the club and Herbert Skermer left. He went on to play for Ramsgate Town, Coalville Swifts and in 1924-25 Loughborough Corinthians in the Midland League.

His final tally of appearances for Norwich City was 73 league and cup games and he was celebrated in the Pinnace cigarette card series (No 349). After he finished playing football he returned to the city of Norwich and was landlord of the Lame Dog public house in Queens Road from 1934 until his death on the 25th of November 1954.

[This item first appeared on Sing Up The River End! on the 22nd of July 2010]
.

Debutants 1922

2012-01-18T05:30:00.000Z

Here is a list of all players who made their first team débuts for Norwich City Football Club in 1922 :

James Hodge   23 February 1922 v Millwall Athletic (Division 3 S) (h) won 3-1
Bill O'Hagan   11 March 1922 v Exeter City (Division 3 S) (a) lost 2-0
John Lythgoe   26 August 1922 v Brighton (Division 3 S) (a) drew 0-0
James Mills   26 August 1922
Jack Peart   26 August 1922
Stephen Wright   26 August 1922
Charlie Dennington   28 August 1922 v QPR (Division 3 S) (h) drew 1-1
Robert Stewart   7 October 1922 v Northampton (Division 3 S) (h) won 1-0
Joe Rowell   9 December 1922 v Reading (Division 3 S) (a) lost 4-1
John Gurkin   27 December 1922 v Reading (Division 3 S) (h) won 2-0
.

Up For The Cup ITV 1980

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000Z

Here is a little memory jerker that might interest a few readers. Who remembers a Saturday evening television programme from 1980 called Up For The Cup ? It was shown on ITV (after Worzel Gummidge and Buck Rogers), lasted 45 minutes, and was hosted by David 'Diddy' Hamilton, who doubled up as a referee. The teams taking part were football supporters clubs who put forward their favourite variety acts to be judged by 'linesmen' - who were made up of professional footballers and managers. The winners lived to fight another day, progressing through to the next round.

I have no recollection as to who represented Norwich City, nor indeed the variety entertainers we nominated. But I can tell you that after seeing off Sunderland in the first round we fell to Charlton Athletic in the semi final. Their 'act' was Jim Bowen, just before he became really famous via Bullseye. Super, smashing, great. And we didn't even get our bus fare home.

So, let's see what we would have won ! Well, just a trophy, presented by the legendary Billy Wright. Bolton Wanderers were the victors in the Final - lifting a knock-out cup for the first time since winning the FA Cup in 1958.

Up For The Cup was not re-commissioned for 1981 !
.

Ask Aitch !

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000Z

I recently received the following communication from life long Canary fan Tony Moore

Hi Aitch,
What was the capacity of the Nest ? I can't seem to find any reference as to how many it could actually hold (not necessarily very safely!!)

Well, Tony, like you I have never seen any official reference regarding the capacity at our old ground. Thinking about it, I guess there was no particular reason why any football stadium back in 1908 would have had a crowd limit. Obviously people stood up to watch, and there was no forward purchasing of tickets. It was therefore a question of a club waiting to see who (and how many) turned up on the day - and squeezing them in as best they could. Policing would have been almost non existent compared with later times, and as far as Norwich City were concerned travel to the game would almost certainly have been by foot or tram.

The Nest of course was also an unusual football ground, to say the least. Literally a football pitch laid out at the bottom of a pit. The attendance recorded for the very first game played there (a friendly against Fulham) was just over 3,000, but that was quite a way down on the gates that had been seen at Newmarket Road. Work on getting the ground ready for the new season had been rushed during the summer and improvements were ongoing. The crowd for the first league match against Portsmouth two weeks later grew to 6,700, and there were a couple of 9,000 crowds by the end of the season. The great thing about the old ground was the fact that there was lots of open space on the cliff running down the side of the stadium. This allowed fans to spread themselves out to all areas on days when a large crowd turned up. Health and safety eat your heart out ! It simply didn't exist in 1908 in the way we know it today.

Improvements did take place every year, and the club certainly did everything affordable to ensure everyone was housed safely. The Canaries played at the Nest for 27 years in all, and though crowds grew in size, it would be wrong to say it was bursting at the seams every week. There are famous pictures of supporters sitting on the stand roof in order to get a view of the match, but these occasions were exceptions. Often less than 10,000 attended. The problems really only started in the early thirties when Norwich for the first time challenged for the Division Three South title. It was then that every inch of space was used - legal, safe or otherwise. The straw that broke the camel's back was the FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday in February 1935 when 25,037 made it into the Nest. Six months later the club had re-located to the larger Carrow Road - because they and the FA knew a disaster was possibly just about to happen.

So, we know the ground could and did hold just over 25,000 (though sometimes the devil in me does wonder whether there were even more in attendance that day, and the club were too scared to admit it to the authorities). But in terms of safe capacity, the figure was most certainly way below that.

Do you have a question regarding Norwich City Football Club history or trivia ? Maybe a memory that you can't quite piece together due to missing information ? The solution of course may already be on Sing Up The River End! but if you want to contact me either by the comment facility or e mail (address at bottom of the blog) I will try to publish you an answer.

Many questions are likely to be beyond me. So, if I don't know the answer, I will put out a request to see if any other readers can help. It's amazing what people know and remember and it may just give you what you are looking for.

Born This Week

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000Z

. January 16th (Today)

Josh Dawkin ~ in 1992 in Huntingdon

Declan Rudd ~ in 1991 in Diss

Mattias Jonson ~ in 1974 in Kumla, Sweden

Bert Carberry ~ in 1931 in Glasgow

John Parker ~ in 1896 in Ellistown, Leics

. January 17th

Che Wilson ~ in 1979 in Ely, Cambs

Denis Parnell ~ in 1940 in Farnborough

Len Dutton ~ in 1922 in Cardiff

Frank McCudden ~ in 1899 in Edmonton

. January 18th

Robert Green ~ in 1980 in Chertsey

Neale Fenn ~ in 1977 in Edmonton

Ian Crook ~ in 1963 in Romford

Bill Bauchop ~ in 1882 in Alloa

. January 19th

Elliott Ward ~ in 1985 in Harrow

Danny Granville ~ in 1975 in Islington

Charles Bradbrook ~ in 1902 in Overstrand

. January 20th

Jurgen Colin ~ in 1981 in Utrecht, Holland

Bill Slack ~ in 1906 in Basford, Notts

. January 21st

David Bell ~ in 1984 in Kettering

Lee Marshall ~ in 1979 in Islington

Mark Crowe ~ in 1965 in Southwold

Andy Thompson ~ in 1899 in Newcastle-under-Lyme

. January 22nd

Maceo Rigters ~ in 1984 in Amsterdam

Geoff Taylor ~ in 1923 in Kessingland

Bob Woolley ~ in 1899 in Medway

[This feature is produced weekly and posted on Sing Up The River End! every Monday]
.

Fine City, Fine People, Fine Club

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000Z

I had a great day out in Norwich on the Saturday before Christmas. Let me tell you all about it.

My sole intention for the day was to meet Frank Cordwell. If you didn't read the article I published about him last week, do go and look it up. He had some great tales to tell me, not just about Norwich City Football Club but also life in the Second World War. He is a fine upstanding gentleman, modest to the core, and still carries a glint in his eye, an enthusiasm normally only found in men a third of his age. Everything he spoke about was fascinating, and the opportunity to meet him was the nicest moment I have had since starting Sing Up The River End!

One thing that stuck in my mind for the rest of the day was his admiration for the former Norwich midfielder Bernard Robinson. 'Sticks' as Frank still called him, had played the majority of his 380 City games pre war, and before Frank himself had access to the club. But he was certain that Bernard was his favourite player, and he has carried that respect for the player for over 70 years.

Robinson had been brought up in King's Lynn, and spent his entire professional career as a Canary, and like many of our heroes before and since, stayed in the Fine City after his playing days were over. There is something about Norwich and football, that cannot be separated. I think most cities and towns will make claims that their football clubs stretch far and wide into the community. And many genuinely do. But the love affair between the people of Norwich and Norfolk and their club goes way beyond the perfunctory charity events and soccer schools found elsewhere. Many residents of the city and county really do 'get it' when it comes to the Canaries - even though the majority of them may never step foot into Carrow Road.

My day out in Norwich - on the 17th of December last year - threw up a few examples of this. I left my home in the East Midlands on icy roads. Ironically on that day, a fair number of City fans were moving in the opposite direction. The Canaries were playing at Everton you will remember. I had hoped to see the coaches travelling west as I headed east. But I got my timing slightly wrong. By the time I reached King's Lynn, the convoy of yellow and green had turned off up the A17. Instead, having left the dull low clouds behind at Wisbech, I was greeted with sleet at Lynn, which had turned to bright sunshine at Dereham, and then a snow flurry as I hit Norwich.

The first human life I saw when I slowed down at traffic lights on Dereham Road was a man walking on the pavement, morning newspaper under his arm. But I saw what he had on inside his jacket, keeping out the cold wind. Yes, his Norwich City scarf. I commented on it to my wife, and explained to her (probably not for the first time), how Norwich is a one club city. Yes, there are plastic fans within the city walls, but essentially, if you love football, you love the Canaries. And there, within a minute of arriving, was the first evidence.

Either side of meeting Frank Cordwell, I spent some time with my sister. We talked about many things, including NCFC. She is definitely not what you would call a football fan, but the game always crops up in conversation. Okay, partly because she knows about this blog. But like me, she was brought up in a family where Norwich City and football in general was always in there somewhere. She told me a memory she had of our Dad insisting on quiet at five o'clock on a Saturday evening so he could write down the football results for his pools. My own memory is that our Mum probably knew more about Norwich City than our Dad, and I am pretty sure she never went to a match. Strangely I have no recollection that Bernard Robinson had ever been mentioned by either of them. But then again, like Frank Cordwell, they were probably just a bit too young when he first played for the Canaries. I do though remember them talking with affection and pride about Sid Plunkett, Don Pickwick, Ron Ashman, Errol Crossan and many more. And Sammy Chung. He often got a mention. As I acquired heroes of my own, the conversations often went along the lines of my Ted MacDougall not being a patch on their Ron Davies. Different times, different heroes.

I should say that when I met Frank Cordwell, he was accompanied by his grandson Stuart Applegate (by marriage) and friend Darren Utting. These guys were much younger than me - well by ten years or more anyway. Stuart had an interest in NCFC whilst Darren was a self confessed Canary fanatic. The latter told me about how he cried as a lad when City sold Kevin Reeves, for a million pounds back in 1980. I had to admit that the event did not have the same hurt for me. Being that bit older, I had already become used to Norwich strikers moving on far too early. David Cross, Jimmy Bone, Phil Boyer and Ted MacDougall had all been and gone from my Canary supporting life by then. But for Darren, Reeves had been the main man - his first Norwich City legend.

Mid afternoon I travelled across Norwich for a quick visit to my auntie and uncle. The day was getting colder, the sky darker. So just a quick cuppa, and the dropping off of a Christmas card. I managed to catch the half time score from Goodison Park whilst in the car. 1-0 up. Get in !! My aunt and uncle are both in the second half of their eighties and for the best part of forty years I have known them to be serious followers of sport, only though, via a television. But even I was surprised on arrival to see them avidly following the Canaries' progress courtesy of Jeff Stelling. ''He's damn good'' said my uncle. In between a short catching up session, the conversation with my uncle swung from Ken Nethercott to Sandy Kennon, Paul Lambert to Norwich City's diminishing debt. And, needless to say perhaps, Grant Holt. ''He's a marvellous player you know. Like those players from the old days. He really let them have it'' my uncle told me. When news of the Everton equaliser came through, my auntie said ''Oh well, never mind''. My uncle pointed out that Norwich liked their late goals and should not be written off !

As soon as the final score was known, we said our goodbyes. A two and a half hour journey home awaited us. Passing Fortress Carrow Road on the way was not out of the question. So that is what I did. It was bathed in lights, against a black snow filled sky. Coming down the hill, it made a glorious sight. And on Radio Five, they were talking about our point gained at Everton. I thought about all those fans that had made the trip. And hoped they were happy.

As it turned out, the journey was slightly longer than hoped. Cold temperatures did not help. And shortly after I left apparently, Norwich had a fairly large fall of snow deposited on it. I reflected on my day. The wonderful Frank Cordwell. The way all of it was filled with the presence of Norwich City Football Club. People talking about them. Caring about their fortunes. Appreciating the present whilst understanding the past.

When I got home, I was really only up for lounging about. And then something happened that really did make my day complete. It was only a chance occurrence, but just rounded everything off nicely.

Take another look at the picture at the top. Meet Jude. That photograph popped up on my Twitter timeline soon after I put my feet up for the evening. It had been taken a few hours earlier at Goodison Park. It is of course a brilliant image. But on a day when I had conversed on just about all eras from the thirties onwards, here was a little lad living the dream. That very afternoon he had watched Everton v Norwich City in the Premier League. I have since learnt that he has been to a massive eighteen football grounds already. Wicked ! And his favourite player ? Well yes, that man again.....Grant Holt.

Jude lives in the north of England - hence his impressive travelling record. He was most impressed with the Etihad Stadium. Less so with Brunton Park. But it hit me that here he is, starting a long journey of supporting the club he loves. Yellow and green. Nothing else will matter in his world of football. He will see some great Canaries in the future, liking most and loving a few.

As for the hot dog. Well, it was the only size available at Goodison Park. And much much bigger than the one he had eaten earlier at Lime Street station ! In fact, I can only think of one other person who could have eaten it. Yes, that man again.....Grant Holt.

All those people I had met during the day had all been Jude's age once, and caught the same bug. Different times. Different heroes. But all sharing common emotions that come with Norwich City, whether they actually go to the matches or not. Jude will not remember every match he goes on to watch. But he will gather precious little memories that will keep him warm for the rest of his life. I know I have. And, as my day proved, many others have too.

I went to bed tired but content.

I could think of only one way to describe Norwich. Fine city, fine people, fine club.

© Sing Up The River End - not to be reproduced without permission (text or images)
.

Canary Fact File

2012-01-14T06:30:00.000Z

In 1970, City striker Peter Silvester revealed in a soccer paper that his favourite TV programme was The Andy Williams Show, he would most like to meet Sammy Davis Jnr, and if he had not been a footballer he would have most likely been a surveyor

The new stand at the Nest was opened on the 25th of March 1920, and City celebrated by walloping Swindon Town 4-1 in the Southern League

Edward Laxton, who played for Norwich City in 1920-21, is believed to have been the first player to play in the Football League having been born in Brazil

Goalkeeper Mark Walton made 28 Canary appearances between 1990 and 1992. He came back to the club on loan from Gillingham in 1998, but did not get a first team game

Ipswich Town never played a single game at the Nest, not even a friendly match

Grenville Williams, who signed for Norwich City in 1946, had been on the Arsenal groundstaff before the war

Norwich City Goalscorers

2012-01-14T06:00:00.001Z

Norwich City first team goalscorers in all competitions. Friendlies and trials not included. Players still at the club omitted.

A

Terry Allcock   127
Ron Ashman   56
Sam Austin   39
Alf Ackerman   35
Neil Adams   30
Tommy Allsopp   27
Terry Anderson   19
Dean Ashton   18
Malcolm Allen   15
George Anderson   12
Arthur Archer   11
Zema Abbey   8
John Aitken   8
Joseph Armstrong   8
George Addy   6
Jack Acquroff   6
Ade Akinbiyi   5
Jens Berthel Askou   3
Chris Adams   3
Ivan Armes   1
Cedric Anselin   1
.

Norwich City & West Bromwich Albion - Players

2012-01-13T06:00:00.001Z

The following players have all had connections with Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion :

. Mark Barham (M/W)
. Leon Barnett (D) *
. Geoff Barnsley (GK)
. Trevor Benjamin (F)
. Ron Bradley (M) *
. Paul Crichton (GK)
. David Cross (F)
. John Deehan (F) *
. Fernando Dervald (D)
. Robert Earnshaw (F) *
. Jim Edwards (M) *
. Ken Foggo (W) *
. Ruel Fox (W)
. Asa Hartford (M)
. John Hartson (F) *
. Gerry Howshall (M) *
. Andy Johnson (M)
. James Lamberton (D) **
. Lee Marshall (M)
. Denis Parnell (W)
. Paul Peschisolido (F)
. Mike Phelan (D/M)
. Colin Suggett (M) *
. William Taylor (W)
. Andy Townsend (M)
. Steve Walford (D)
. Brian Whitehouse (F) *

* associated with WBA immediately before Norwich City
** associated with WBA immediately after Norwich City

All players listed made at least one competitive appearance for Norwich City. Their associations with WBA may have come through first team, reserve or youth football. Wartime guest appearances are not included, or trials in friendly matches.
.

Norwich City & West Bromwich Albion - Managers

2012-01-13T05:30:00.000Z

Three men have managed both Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion. The first was Archie Macaulay who left Carrow Road for the Hawthorns in 1961, having been in charge of the Canaries during the famous FA Cup run of 1959 and the promotion season of 1959-60. The club were naturally disappointed by his departure, though it did give Archie the chance to prove his skills at a higher level. His tenure however at First Division West Brom lasted only until 1963, after he only achieved mid table status with his new club. Ron Saunders was a great Norwich manager, and he managed the Baggies at the very end of his career, in 1986-87. He walked out on Birmingham City to take the job but could not prevent relegation. Failure to secure a return to the top flight led to his dismissal, and he never managed a professional club again. Gary Megson started his managerial career at Carrow Road, and his spell at West Bromwich Albion between 2000 and 2004 was his fifth job as a boss. He twice led the club to promotions to the Premier League.

Brian Whitehouse played for both the Baggies and the Canaries, and took temporary charge of the West Midlands club for three games in 1975 between the reigns of Don Howe and Johnny Giles.
.

Just Thinking..........

2012-01-11T06:00:00.001Z

Fifteen points away from securing another term in the Premier League ? Roundly speaking yes. It would be harsh to reach forty points and still go down that is for sure. And if anything, a few less may still be sufficient - the current bottom three are a little short of their counterparts of 2010-11 at the same stage. But for me, those fifteen points are still a huge challenge. They will need to be dug out. And there must be no let up in performance. Some of the clubs in the mix are annually involved in the task of escaping relegation. Others have decent sized cheque books for this January transfer window. Five quick wins will do it for Norwich City of course, but this Premier League is tough - a two point return from the next four matches and the heat is back on. I am not being negative, regular readers of this blog will know I am as optimistic as they come. But a win, of any kind, is hard for all the teams in the bottom half of the table. Too many fans are taking it for granted that those fifteen points will come our way - based on the fact that we have seemingly raced to the twenty five point mark. Not so. The next four months will be as hard as anything we have seen in recent seasons. It is in our hands for sure. But we also need to see the bottom teams continually dropping points. Every time they win, 'survival Sunday' remains a possibility. And we don't want that now, do we !
.

Norwich City Appearances

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000Z

Norwich City first team appearances in all competitions, including those from the substitutes bench. Friendlies and trial matches not included. Players still at the club omitted.

A

Ron Ashman   662
Terry Allcock   389
Terry Anderson   279
Neil Adams   206
Sam Austin   164
Tommy Allsopp   132
Arthur Archer   83
Alf Ackerman   70
Ivan Armes   65
Zema Abbey   63
Ade Akinbiyi   58
John Aitken   46
Malcolm Allen   46
Dean Ashton   46
John Allen   35
George Addy   33
Jens Berthel Askou   33
Chris Adams   30
George Anderson   30
Cedric Anselin 29
Joseph Armstrong   22
Jack Acquroff   17
Leslie Allman   15
William Aitken   14
Eric Arnold   13
Leslie Askew   12
Ben Alnwick   5
George Ansell   4
Jamie Ashdown   2
Charles Abbs   1
Phil Alexander   1
William Astill   1
Walter Atkinson   1
.

Stars Of The Past - Reg Foulkes

2012-01-10T06:00:00.001Z

Reginald Ernest 'Reg' Foulkes was born on the 23rd of February 1923 in Shrewsbury. He was a tremendous young footballer who caught the eye of England selectors as early as 1937. Still a pupil at Lancasterian School in Castlefields, and playing his football for Shrewsbury Town Boys, he was called into the England Under 15 team. However, by 1939, World War Two had started, and Reg had to put any thoughts of a professional career on hold, though he did play numerous matches during the conflict for Birmingham City and Walsall as a guest.

Immediately after the war he signed for Walsall, and ironically played his first official game for them in 1945 at Carrow Road. This was in the 1945-46 'transitional season' - games not counted in player or club records, but significant nonetheless as teams were getting themselves sorted out in readiness for a resumption of proper competition. Norwich won the match 2-1 (as they did the return fixture at Fellows Park a week later), but for Reg it was the start of a good spell with the Saddlers. Between then and the end of the decade he added a further 160 appearances to those 'unofficial games' and even had a short go as a centre forward - netting five times in just ten matches.

But it was as a centre half that he made his reputation. Gritty and hugely dependable, he was a master of looking after the nuts and bolts of the defence, ensuring basic things were done correctly. He had been captain at Walsall, and not surprisingly, manager Norman Low instantly appointed him captain of the Canaries, after Reg moved to Carrow Road straight after the 1949-50 season had ended. He made his début for Norwich in the first match of the following season, on the 19th of August 1950 in a 2-0 home win over Port Vale in Division Three South.

In the four seasons after the war, Norwich had twice had to apply for re-election back into the Football League, and achieved no more than mid table existence the rest of the time. 1950-51 was the first under the guidance of Norman Low, and the addition of the organisational skills of Reg Foulkes in the heart of defence helped lead to a vast improvement in league fortunes. In that first campaign, the Canaries finished second in the table behind Nottingham Forest, easily their best post war achievement, aided undoubtedly by conceding just 45 goals in 46 matches. Reg played in all bar two league games (the last two of the campaign) and also successfully led the team through four rounds of the FA Cup (which included the 3-1 scalping of Liverpool in front of nearly 35,000 people at Carrow Road) before they lost to Sunderland in the fifth Round. He also found the net on no less than six occasions, including on the 11th of April 1951 the only goal of the game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road - enough for many supporters to consider him an all time Norwich City hero ! The campaign included an amazing 23 match unbeaten run in all competitions, and a run of 21 consecutive games in which the same eleven players were picked.

In the following season, the Canaries maintained their new found form. In latter times of course, their runners up position of 1950-51 would have been sufficient to gain promotion to the Second Division, but in those days, only the champions went up. In 1951-52 City finished third (level on points with runners up Reading) , with only 50 goals conceded by Reg and his central defensive partner Don Pickwick. He added another forty impeccable appearances to his Norwich City record. And to prove this was no fluke, 1952-53 saw a fourth placed finish, which may read as a downward trend but in fact the Canaries were only four points behind champions Bristol Rovers in the final table - a closer margin than either of the previous two campaigns.

Reg played in two significant matches for Norwich during these seasons, matches that also held personal interest for him. On the 29th of December 1951 he was in the team that won 8-0 at Carrow Road against Walsall, his former club. And on the 13th of September 1952 he led the team to an 8-1 victory away at Shrewsbury Town - the place of his birth ! In that latter match, Don Pickwick regrettably broke his leg, meaning Reg was partnered by Len Dutton or Ron Ashman for the rest of the campaign.

Inevitably the Canaries did slowly find their way back down the Division Three South table, though 1953-54 still saw a seventh place finish. Reg Foulkes was into his thirties by now and though he had relinquished the captaincy to Ron Ashman he was still very much a first team player, still putting in his normal gutsy and resolute defensive performances. Surrounded in central defence by either Pickwick or Ashman, and at times new recruit Roy McCrohan (who was able to play in just about any outfield position on the pitch), Reg had by this time become a stalwart figure at Carrow Road - admired by fans, players, scribes and opponents alike. Few visiting forwards relished a match against such a good Norwich side, who rarely gave much away in defence.

For two more seasons Reg Foulkes remained a lynch-pin of the City side, achieving more than thirty appearances in each of the 54-55 and 55-56 seasons and a partial return to captaincy in the first of those campaigns. On the 25th of April 1956, aged 33, Reg appeared in a Norwich shirt for the final time in a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Bournemouth. The club however finished in 7th place once again, maintaining the good record achieved during his time in the team. His final City tally was 238 games and eight goals.

He retired from the professional game and took up the reigns as player manager of Wisbech Town. A year later he moved to King's Lynn. In the early sixties he was back at Carrow Road looking after the Reserves team, before leaving football and returning to his native Shrewsbury, where he still lives, to become an accountant. In 2003 he entered the Norwich City Hall of Fame.

The year after Reg Foulkes left Norwich City, they finished bottom of Division Three South. Admittedly, the club was in a mess on a number of fronts, not least financially. But more pertinently, the new defence let in 94 goals in 46 matches. To say they missed Reg and his marshalling skills would be an understatement. He was a fine leader, and a fine Canary.
.

Time To Say Goodbye

2012-01-09T15:29:00.000Z

The following player has left Norwich City FC :

Oli Johnson
2010-2012 23 appearances 4 goals

He departs with our best wishes, and thanks for his service to the club
.

Life After City

2012-01-09T06:30:00.001Z

...........keeping a beady eye on ex Canaries and those out on loan

Stephen Hughes has parted company with Scottish Premier League side Motherwell. The midfielder left Carrow Road a few months ago as a free agent and had hoped that a return to Fir Park (where he played between 2007 and 2009) would resurrect his career. However, after just four starts, the decision has been taken not to offer an extended contract. Stephen was always a hard working professional in his time with Norwich City and it is to be hoped that he soon gets himself sorted with regular football once again.

Simon Whaley, who played six matches in all competitions for Norwich in an unhappy stay between July 2009 and May 2010, has finally called time on his professional career. Numerous attempts to get a full time contract elsewhere (including a much publicised period of unemployment) have all ended in disappointment, and following a recurring knee injury, he has now retired at the age of 26. It is believed the Canaries paid £250,000 when signing him from Preston North End.

Former Canary defender Steve Walford has moved to Sunderland as first team coach, joining another former Norwich City player (and briefly manager) Martin O'Neill. As well as playing and working together at Carrow Road, the pair have also hooked up at Leicester City, Celtic, and Aston Villa.

Leon McKenzie has retired from professional football. He played his final game for Kettering Town on the 17th of December 2011, and now hopes to pursue a career in music.

Michael Spillane, who moved from Brentford to Dagenham & Redbridge on loan in November, has had the transfer made permanent in this current window. He made 32 appearances for the Bees, two fewer than he managed for the Canaries.
.

Born This Week

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000Z

. January 9th (Today)

Dale Gordon ~ in 1967 in Caister, Norfolk

. January 10th

Julien Brellier ~ in 1982 in Echirolles, France

Alan Rule ~ in 1930 in Southampton

. January 11th

Mike Sheron ~ in 1972 in Liverpool

Bunny Larkin ~ in 1936 in Birmingham

Alex Birnie ~ in 1884 in Old Deer, nr Aberdeen

. January 12th

Pape Seydou Diop ~ in 1979 in Dakar, Senegal

. January 13th

Sammy Clingan ~ in 1984 in Belfast

Colin Woodthorpe ~ in 1969 in Liverpool

Jim Blair ~ in 1947 in Calderbank, Airdrie

Tom Smalley ~ in 1912 in Hemsworth, West Yorks

James McWhirr ~ in 1905 in Partick, Glasgow

. January 14th

Ruel Fox ~ in 1968 in Ipswich

Andrew Hart ~ in 1963 in Gt Yarmouth

Bryan Conlon ~ in 1943 in Shildon, Co Durham

. January 15th

Kevin Harper ~ in 1976 in Oldham

Ged Brannan ~ in 1972 in Prescot, Merseyside

Andy Proudlove ~ in 1955 in Buxton

James Mills ~ in 1898 in Rochdale

Peter Roney ~ in 1887 in Rutherglen

[This feature is produced weekly and posted on Sing Up The River End! every Monday]

Wartime Norwich City - Frank Cordwell

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000Z

We think young people have it hard these days. But it is unlikely that any of them will experience what Frank Cordwell went through in his late teens to mid twenties. He left school at fourteen, during that period when Adolf Hitler was busy making plans for his takeover of Europe, and by the time the Second World War started in 1939, he was a budding amateur footballer. The following few years would see him in the police force, fire brigade, RAF and, amongst it all, the Norwich City football team. And then, when the fighting was over, he had to walk away from the chance of being a professional player........because the life of a footballer was too precarious in those days, and simply didn't offer good enough prospects !

Born locally to the Fine City, young Frank only wanted one thing in his life. Football. I met him recently, for the first time. Though soon to be a nonagenarian, he carries the glow of a man who has had a good life. He also has great recall - stories of wartime Norwich flow easily from him - of both the football club and the city itself. The only time he didn't want to say too much was when the subject may have led to some self praise ! Some things I guess, just didn't need saying.

At fifteen, Frank was playing his football for a local amateur team called St.Paul's. His playing talents were spotted in 1938 and he was invited to attend some training sessions with Norwich City Football Club. Bob Young was the manager in those days, and Frank still has the newspaper cutting in his possession announcing that the club had taken him on as an amateur. ''I went to Carrow Road for the training'' he remembers with pride. ''They sorted me out with a better pair of boots from the storeroom. They asked me what size I was, and produced a lovely pair for me. They did not have the big toe cap which all boots seemed to have in those days. In fact they were more like the modern boots that came along much later. Anyway, I really wanted them, but couldn't get them to fit. I was told to soak them in cold water and apply plenty of dubbin. Eventually I was able to wear them in comfort. The club put some studs in them with a number - my number - so they were identifiable as being mine. All boots were kept by the club for safekeeping''.

''Anyway, one day I was asked to report to Mr Young's office'' Frank continued ''and he told me Norwich City wanted to sign me as an amateur player ''. A dream come true, I asked. ''Well yes, I was football mad at the time, and everyone knew it. I was working as a trainee at a shoe firm at the time and used to slip away whenever I could to go and play football. But my real dream was to join the RAF. But my Dad thought I would be better off in the police force. So he let me sign the forms for Norwich City, but was insistent that it should only be as an amateur''.

It was a difficult time at Carrow Road of course. With the onset of war in 1939, the Football League competition was abandoned after just three matches. The club lost some players to war service, and Frank was part of the process to build a squad of players in order that games could carry on in regional leagues. And he has some great tales to tell regarding life at the club in those times.

'' You could go down to the ground at just about any time for training. There would always be players down there. We used the Carrow Road pitch - there was nowhere else to play. But it was always a wet pitch, especially down the River End. So it wasn't ideal. A lot of the training revolved around a medicine ball. A big heavy old thing. The trainer would constantly throw it at you. To harden you up ! The only skills we used to practice were heading and shooting. Footballs were also heavy in them days, especially as they soaked up the water from the wet pitch. So that was hard work in itself. We used to run around the edge of the pitch to get fit. Run down half the field, walk the next half, then run again, and so on. Sometimes though the trainer would also have you running up and down the terraces !''

Whilst all this was going on in Frank's life, he had to go through various tests to get into the police force. With a bit of devilment in his eye, he told me he tried his best to fail. ''I really wanted to go in the RAF, not the police''. Then one morning he was called in to the work's office and given the news that he had been accepted. ''Next thing I knew I was down the station joining up''. But even that did not unfold the way he expected. ''I was immediately told I was being transferred to Norwich Fire Brigade. And not only that, I would be living in the station full time''.

So during the first years of World War Two, Frank found himself tackling fires not crime. He talked with pride about his days in the service, and still remembers all of his fellow crew members. ''I was fireman number 8. Malcolm Pease was number 1, Jimmy Savage 2, Bill Smith 3, Cyril Gooch 4, Willy Hobson 5, Thomas Mould 6 and Len Scrivens was number 7''. He also noted with sadness that he is the last surviving person from that watch.

It was really a case of fitting football in whenever he could. Talking to Frank about Norwich City in the early forties was wonderful to me. He reeled out names from the past left right and centre - legends, and men who had served the club so well pre war. He rubbed shoulders with men like Sid Plunkett, Billy Furness and Douggie Lochhead. And his favourite ? '' Bernard Robinson, without doubt. He was a really good player and everyone liked him. We all knew him by the nickname of 'Sticks' though. And another great man was Joe Hannah. People like this had given all of their footballing lives to Norwich City''. I found myself wanting to know more about those training sessions that a still very young Frank had taken part in. And more on how life was, in and around Carrow Road.

''The game was so much simpler then'' Frank admitted. ''There were no tactical sessions as such. Basically, everyone had the duty to get the ball wide to either of the wingers. And it was their job to get the ball to the centre forward, who hopefully did the rest. We didn't go backwards. Just forward. I was a half back, but once a match started, everyone tended to help out wherever needed. And man marking was essential. The idea was, if your team didn't have the ball, you simply made sure your opponent didn't get it. They also had a trick to improve your shooting. I was right footed so was allowed to wear my right boot. But I had to wear a plimsoll on the left. Remember, we are talking about a heavy football here. I soon learnt not to use my left foot! '' And what were medical facilities like, I asked coyly, already knowing the answer. ''We didn't have any as such. The trainer had his magic sponge and some smelling salts, and that was about all. After the game we were made to soak in a cold bath, to help ease the aches and pains. If you didn't get in, you were hosed down with cold water, whether you liked it or not''.

In 1942, Frank got his wish and joined the RAF and was posted to Skellingthorpe in Lincolnshire. Trips to Carrow Road were restricted to times when he was on leave. And after a period of a different kind of training to that which he was used to, he was handed the job of air gunner. ''I am not really sure how that came about to be honest, but anyway, that's what they told me I would be doing''. Suddenly he was fully engaged in the war, and it was at this point of our conversation that Frank preferred to keep some memories to himself. ''There are just some things best left unsaid''. But he was prepared to say that he flew in Lancasters, Wellingtons and Stirlings at different times, always at the top of the plane, in the gunners position. ''Because I joined the RAF for the second half of the war as it were, I went on some horrendously long missions - often eight to ten hours at a time - over into Germany or Norway. I remember on one occasion, after a trip to Czechoslovakia, we were ordered to fly over London on our way back. The War Office wanted it. In order to raise the spirits of the people''. When pushed as to how many missions he went on he would not say. He just smiled and said ''Anyway, lets get back to football''.

By this stage of course, Frank had grown a bit older, and started getting selected for matches. Though his RAF fighting duties took precedence over everything else, he continued to shine as a football player. He is immensely proud of the day he played in a Services International match at Stirling, representing England against Scotland. ''I'll tell you a story about that'' he beamed. ''I was picked to play, but then realised my boots were still at Carrow Road. I had to get a message to my Dad, and he went down to the ground to fetch them, and forward them to me. I needed my best boots for that game. We were all amateurs of course, servicemen too. But there were good footballers in both teams. Afterwards they put a half a crown into our boots, as a thank you for playing''. Unfortunately he finished on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline.

It was also during this period that Frank first played a game in Norwich City colours. By this stage of the war, even the 'unofficial' regional leagues had been discontinued, and Norwich played teams from the services. These matches were deemed important to the war effort. They served as a distraction for people from the reality of the situation, if only for ninety minutes. On the 15th of April 1944, Frank lined up against an Army XI at Carrow Road, a game that ended in a 4-4 draw. He showed me the newspaper cutting that he has kept to this day. I was intrigued to see his name alongside that of a man named Soo. ''Not Frank Soo'', I exclaimed. ''Yes, you've got him. He played for Norwich that day as a guest''. Soo had been a much acclaimed player before the war with Stoke City, and after it with Luton Town, and I had known of him as one of the first ethnic minority players to appear in the Football League. ''He was something special'' said our Frank. ''You could tell he was class''. Another name appeared in that team list too, and now it was my turn to tell Frank something. ''I see a player called Wilkinson was also in the City side that day. Not Pip was it? '' I asked. He confirmed it was. ''And you know who he was?'', I teased. Frank said he just knew him as Pip. ''He was the grandfather of the legendary England rugby union World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson'' I advised. A true fact. Pip went on to play games for Norwich City 'A' after the war, and had according to Douggie Lochhead, the hardest left foot shot he had ever come across.

Frank's best memory of the day was the advice he was given by Harry Proctor before the game. It was, simply, ''If you can't get the ball, make sure you get the ****** man !!'' He went on to reminisce just how physical football was in those days. ''It could be very rough. You picked up some dreadful knocks in the course of a game, but nobody thought much of it. It was how the game was. And to think, players did it all for so little reward. They might get a couple of quid for a win, a pound for drawing. But that was dependent on how many people had turned up to watch. If the attendance was poor, they didn't get anything''. He also recalled that after training, names were put up on a board for the team selected for the next match. ''If your name was there you were expected to turn up to play. Simple as that''.

When the Second World War ended, Frank returned to Norwich, and the Canaries of course still held his player registration. ''I had to make some decisions'' he admitted. ''By this time the leagues were back up and running and Douggie Lochhead had taken over as manager. He wanted me to turn professional and thought I had a chance of making it in the game. I was also aware that Chelsea and Sunderland wanted to talk to me. Though in fairness, before the war, Arsenal were 'the team' in England. The most admired. The club all others inspired to. There were no agents of course in those days. If you wanted to play for someone else you got hold of their manager. If he was interested, he sent you back to talk to your own manager about it, and then they sorted it out between themselves. Not very often were transfer fees involved''.

But in the end he decided to walk away from a career in football altogether. ''It was all a question of money and job security. I still had a job with the police, and the prospects there were much greater than anything football could offer. The game was so physical, you always knew you were never more than one game away from your last. There was no insurance you could take out. Many players found themselves suddenly on the scrapheap. So I opted for the police''.

Norwich CEYMS asked if they could play him in their side, and he also went on to represent Norwich Police in the Thursday League, often as captain. He also played for the England Police team against the Metropolitan Police in a match played at Peterborough. Then one day, his knee gave way, and only partially recovered. ''It was never the same again. And in 1950, with a family on the way, I hung up my boots for good''.

Frank admits that he never got the same thrill from watching as he did from playing, but did hold a Norwich City season ticket throughout the fifties. And like everyone else he loved the 1959 FA Cup run. ''I remember the Manchester United match in particular. Goodness, it was cold. Snow on the pitch as well. One of the United fans had brought a basket of pigeons with him. The idea was to send a message home to his wife every time their team scored. When Norwich got the first goal, he released a pigeon with the bad news. A second followed. More bad news. When the third went in he was beside himself and didn't dare think what his wife would be saying''.

1950 was also the year Frank left the police force. He worked for 35 years for Start-rite Shoes in Norwich, including time as area manager, until he retired in 1986. In his working life he was known as Bill Cordwell. ''My father was also Frank, and it got awfully confusing. My middle name is William, and one day someone called me Bill. And it stuck thereafter, as far as work was concerned''.

Before we finished, I wondered whether Frank had any memories of The Nest. ''Yes'' he replied. ''Though I was very young then of course. But I was taken to a few matches there. I best remember the concrete wall. It ran all down one side of the pitch, and should never have been allowed. The Norwich players knew how to deal with it, but visiting opponents didn't, and it was a tactic I'm sure to get them running into it and feeling the pain. I also remember the spectators chanting 'Give It To Varco'. He was a very good centre forward''.

My last question brought us right up to date. Like everyone else he thinks money has ruined the modern game. ''I have watched England games recently and all I can say is, well, they make me furious. Sometimes I have only made it to half time, then switched the telly off ''.

On that one Frank, you are not alone.

© Sing Up The River End - not to be reproduced without permission
.

List Of Leading Goalscorers

2012-01-07T16:51:00.000Z

The following players all scored 50 or more goals in all competitions for Norwich City :

1   Johnny Gavin 132
2   Terry Allcock 127
3   Iwan Roberts 96
4   Robert Fleck 84
5   Jack Vinall 80
6   Ralph Hunt 72
7   John Deehan 70
8   Les Eyre 69
9= Ron Davies 66
9= Jimmy Hill 66
9= Ted MacDougall 66
12   Noel Kinsey 65
13= Ken Burditt 61
13= Grant Holt 61
15 Roy Hollis 59
16= Kevin Drinkell 57
16= Ken Foggo 57
16= James Jackson 57
19 Ron Ashman 56
20 Tommy Bryceland 55
21 Hugh Curran 53
22 Bobby Brennan 52
23 Martin Peters 50
.

Who Knows..........

2012-01-07T07:00:00.000Z

I sometimes receive communication from readers, regarding a Norwich City fact, or memory. If I can't help, maybe you can .....

????

pcanaries asked if I remembered an incident in the 1974 League Cup 5th Round match against Ipswich Town, and in particular Kevin Keelan disputing their goal, scored at the River End. Does anyone recall the moment and know why he was so put out ?

Please leave your reply as a comment, or email me (address at bottom of blog) and I will add. We all have things we remember that others have forgotten......here is your chance to help a fellow fan. Do you have any questions that are nagging away somewhere in your mind ? Something you can only half remember. Drop me an e mail (anonymously if you prefer) and I will try to sort you out, or add to the 'Who Knows' section
.

First & Last - Youssef Safri

2012-01-07T05:00:00.000Z

First game : 28th August 2004 versus Arsenal home Premier League 4-1 defeat

Last game : 9th April 2007 versus West Brom home Championship 2-1 defeat

Signed from : Coventry City
Next club : Southampton
Current club : Qatar SC
.

Norwich City & Burnley - Players

2012-01-06T06:00:00.001Z

The following players have all had connections with Norwich City and Burnley :

. Ade Akinbiyi (F)
. James Bellamy (F)
. Wayne Biggins (F) *
. Mo Camara (D)
. Luke Chadwick (M)
. Paul Cook (M)
. Paul Crichton (GK) *
. Willie Donachie (D)
. Louie Donowa (W/M)
. Bill Graham (F)
. Sam Gunton (F)
. Roger Hansbury (GK)
. Sam Jennings (F)
. Alan Lee (F)
. Archie Livingstone (M)
. Paul McVeigh (M/F)
. Dean Marney (M)
. Neil Moore (D)
. Mike Phelan (D/M) *
. Kevin Reeves (F)
. Gary Rowell (F)
. Alan Taylor (F)
. Sam Vokes (F)
. Mick Walsh (D)
. Chris Woods (GK)

* associated with Burnley immediately before Norwich City
** associated with Burnley immediately after Norwich City

All players listed made at least one competitive appearance for Norwich City. Their associations with Burnley may have come through first team, reserve or youth football. Wartime guest appearances are not included, or trials in friendly matches.
.

Norwich City & Burnley - Managers

2012-01-06T05:00:00.001Z

John Bond is the only man in history to have managed both Norwich City and Burnley. After a largely successful 340 games in charge at Carrow Road, which included a promotion, a Wembley Final, and the purchase of many fine Canaries, his spell at Burnley a few years later was less happy, and lasted just one season.

Former Norwich player (and assistant manager) John Benson replaced him in August 1984, but his time in charge was also short. He was sacked in May 1985.
.

Norwich City History Against......Burnley

2012-01-05T06:11:00.000Z

All Competitions
Norwich City 14 wins Burnley 19 wins 7 draws
Norwich goals 56 Burnley goals 64

Football League
Norwich City 12 wins Burnley 16 wins 6 draws
Norwich goals 47 Burnley goals 54

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 11 wins Burnley 3 wins 3 draws
Norwich goals 34 Burnley goals 18

All league games at Burnley
Norwich City 1 win Burnley 13 wins 3 draws
Norwich goals 13 Burnley goals 36

Cup Football
Norwich City 2 wins Burnley 3 wins 1 draw
Norwich goals 9 Burnley goals 10

Burnley were formed twenty years before Norwich City and were a well established football team by the time the Citizens came into being. The two clubs have shared only 17 seasons in the same division in history. The first meeting was on the 15th of December 1934 when City reached the Second Division for the first time. It was played at The Nest in front of 10,634 and despite goals from Cecil Russell and Jack Vinall, City lost 3-2 (Burnley were three up by half time). Burnley also won the return fixture 1-0. The Canaries had to wait until the next season to record their first victory over Burnley, 2-0 at their new ground, Carrow Road.

Division Two games continued until the season before World War Two, when Norwich were relegated, though one of the few highlights for them came in September 1938 when they beat the Clarets 4-0 with goals from Frank Manders, George Law, Billy Furness, and Jack O'Reilly. After the war, there was a break in fixtures that would last for just over 30 years - until in fact the clubs were once again together at the second level, in 1971-72. The sides met at Carrow Road on the 13th of October 1971, City winning 3-0 (Peter Silvester, Ken Foggo, and David Stringer scoring). Norwich of course won the Second Division title in 1971-72, and Burnley succeeded them as champions the following year, which set up the first top flight meetings between the clubs in 1973-74 - both finishing as 1-0 home wins.

Burnley were relegated in 1975-76. Norwich won 3-1 at home that season, and a fantastic 4-4 draw took place at Turf Moor, City goals came from Ted MacDougall (2), Phil Boyer and Martin Peters. It was the start of a twenty five year period during which Norwich were the more successful club. As the Canaries were playing at the highest levels of English football, Burnley spent their time in the lower divisions, including Division Four between 1985 and 1992. The next clash did not occur until 2000 in Division One. During City's championship winning season of 2003-04, a great game took place in Lancashire which saw a 5-3 win to the Canaries. The goals were scored by Mathias Svennson (2), Darren Huckerby (2) and Leon McKenzie, with City coming from behind three times. This remains Norwich's one and only success at Turf Moor, and the five visits since have all ended in defeat.

The Championship game of 2006 was won 4-1 by Burnley at Carrow Road and ended the long reign of Nigel Worthington as manager of Norwich City. It was his 280th and last game in charge. In the Championship game on the 6th of November 2010, two first half goals from Burnley were cancelled out after the break by strikes from Chris Martin and, in stoppage time, Andrew Crofts. In the return game at Turf Moor the following February, Burnley won with a goal nine minutes from time after a Grant Holt goal had pulled Norwich level.

Six cup games have taken place in history. The first and only FA Cup tie took place on the 7th of January 2012, with City winning 4-1 at Carrow Road through goals from Grant Holt, Simeon Jackson, Andrew Surman and Steve Morison. Two Texaco Cup matches were played in 1973, Burnley won both legs. In the League Cup, the clubs met in 1977 (Burnley winning 3-1 in a game in which Greg Downs made his debut, playing as a centre forward) and 1987 (Norwich winning 2-1 on aggregate).

Burnley Football Club were founded in 1882 when Burnley Rovers changed codes from rugby union to association football. They were founder members of the Football League in 1888-89, and were English champions in 1920-21 and 1959-60. Burnley won the FA Cup in 1913-14, have played at Turf Moor since 1883 and are one of only three teams to have won all four divisions (the others being Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers).

. For a list of players associated with both clubs, click here
http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2012/01/norwich-city-burnley-players.html

. For information on managerial associations, click here
http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2012/01/norwich-city-burnley-managers.html

Did You Know ?

After numerous changes to their playing colours early on, Burnley finally settled for claret and blue in 1910, matching those worn by Aston Villa, the most successful side in England at the time.

To see what part Burnley have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the sidebar.

Most recent games
7 Jan 2012 (FA Cup) Norwich City 4 Burnley 1
5 Feb 2011 (Championship) Burnley 2 Norwich City 1

6 Nov 2010 (Championship) Norwich City 2 Burnley 2

21 Feb 2009 (Championship) Norwich City 1 Burnley 1

1 Nov 2008 (Championship) Burnley 2 Norwich City 0

5 Apr 2008 (Championship) Norwich City 2 Burnley 0

23 Oct 2007 (Championship) Burnley 2 Norwich City 1

pictured : Mike Phelan, 168 league appearances for Burnley followed by 194 for Norwich City.

The Canary England Club

2012-01-05T05:30:00.000Z

Six men have represented England whilst being a Norwich City player :

1976      Phil Boyer
1979      Kevin Reeves
1983      Mark Barham
1984      Dave Watson
1985      Chris Woods
2005      Robert Green

When Dave Watson came on as a substitute in the 5-0 win v USA on 16th June 1985, it was the only time two Canaries have played together for England. Chris Woods was in goal.

pictured : Kevin Reeves playing for England in 1979

[This post was first published on the 14th of March 2010]

My Earliest FA Cup Memory

2012-01-04T06:30:00.000Z

If I think back to my first awareness of the FA Cup, it takes me to 1967. I was seven and a half years old, or thereabouts. My school, Dowson Infants, was just around the corner from where I lived - about a four minute walk and two minute run. My Dad worked on shifts at May & Baker, so when it fitted with his job, he was at home lunchtimes to make me a sandwich. On this particular day, in the morning before I left for school, he had told me that at 1 o'clock we could listen to the FA Cup draw on the radio. So I ran home extra fast that day. It is the earliest recollection of being a Norwich City fan I have, though not of football itself. That had occurred the previous summer and the 1966 World Cup Final. But the Canaries were slowly but surely becoming immersed in my little life and by early 1967 I was becoming aware of their fortunes. I remember sitting by the radio with my Dad. I didn't really understand what was going on, so he had to explain about balls in a velvet bag with numbers on. He told me to listen for Norwich City. It took a while. When Manchester United were read out he gave out a chuckle. I now suspect that he knew there were not many teams left to be drawn. ".....will play Norwich City" hailed the radio. Whoo hoo! I wasn't really old enough to understand the significance. But I knew they were a big team because I had read about them in my football books. And when my Dad told me that Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and Georgie Best played for them, the enormity of my dinner time break fell into place.

I have carried this little memory around with me all my life and often think with sadness that much of the magic of the FA Cup is long gone. People of my age will remember just how exciting it all was, back then.
.

FA Cup Giant Killing

2012-01-04T06:23:00.000Z

When a club rises to the higher levels of English football, it obviously becomes harder to be a FA Cup giant killer. But back in the days when Norwich City were lower down the league structure, they had some wonderful days in this competition, and many were very early in their history. Whilst 1959 is quite rightly singled out as the greatest run the club ever had in the FA Cup, there were other victories of equal distinction that should be savoured, and they are duly recorded here :

11th January 1908 First Round
Norwich City (Southern League) 2
Sheffield Wednesday (Division One) 0

6th January 1909 Second Round
Liverpool (Division One) 2
Norwich City (Southern League) 3

14th January 1911 First Round
Norwich City (Southern League) 3
Sunderland (Division One) 1

16th January 1913 First Round
Leicester Fosse (Division Two) 1
Norwich City (Southern League) 4

9th January 1915 First Round
Nottingham Forest (Division Two) 1
Norwich City (Southern League) 4

30th January 1915 Second Round
Norwich City (Southern League) 3
Tottenham Hotspur (Division One) 2

30th January 1935 Fourth Round Replay
Leeds United (Division One) 1
Norwich City (Division Two) 2

16th January 1937 Third Round
Norwich City (Division Two) 3
Liverpool (Division One) 0

6th January 1951 Third Round
Norwich City (Division Three South) 3
Liverpool (Division One) 1

30th January 1954 Fourth Round
Arsenal (Division One) 1
Norwich City (Division Three South) 2

10th January 1959 Third Round
Norwich City (Division Three) 3
Manchester United (Division One) 0

24th January 1959 Fourth Round
Norwich City (Division Three) 3
Cardiff City (Division Two) 2

18th February 1959 Fifth Round Replay
Norwich City (Division Three) 1
Tottenham Hotspur (Division One) 0

4th March 1959 Sixth Round Replay
Norwich City (Division Three) 3
Sheffield United (Division Two) 2

30th January 1962 Fourth Round Replay
Ipswich Town (Division One) 1
Norwich City (Division Two) 2

6th March 1963 Third Round Replay
Blackpool (Division One) 1
Norwich City (Division Two) 3

16th March 1963 Fifth Round
Manchester City (Division One) 1
Norwich City (Division Two) 2

18th February 1967 Fourth Round
Manchester United (Division One) 1
Norwich City (Division Two) 2

31st January 1968 Third Round Replay
Sunderland (Division One) 0
Norwich City (Division Two) 1

2nd January 1982 Third Round
Stoke City (Division One) 0
Norwich City (Division Two) 1

All teams can point to a few good FA Cup days, but the number of upsets caused by Norwich City since 1908 has been remarkable, and these results should be cherished as amongst the greatest moments in the history of the club.

.

Norwich City Fan - Jake Humphrey

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000Z

Jake Humphrey - television presenter, CBBC's Fame Academy and The Saturday Show, Radio 5 Live, Football Focus, Final Score, Match of the Day, 2008 Summer Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year, BBC Formula One, and the Royal Wedding, confirmed fan of Norwich City Football Club

picture source : BBC

Debutants 1921

2012-01-03T05:00:00.000Z

Here is a list of all players who made their first team débuts for Norwich City Football Club in 1921 :

Joe Hannah   13 January 1921 v Newport County (Division 3) (a) lost 2-0
William Lumley   19 February 1921 v Gillingham (Division 3) (h) won 2-1
David Mellon   26 February 1921 v Swindon Town (Division 3) (a) lost 4-2
Charles Bradbrook   2 May 1921 v Merthyr Town (Division 3) (h) drew 0-0
William Bertram   27 August 1921 v Luton Town (Division 3 S) (h) lost 1-0
Sidney Scott   27 August 1921
John Whing   27 August 1921
Charlie Woodhouse   27 August 1921
James Stoakes   8 September 1921 v Plymouth Argyle (Division 3 S) (h) drew 1-1
Joseph Armstrong   10 December 1921 v Aberdare Ath (Division 3 S) (h) drew 0-0
Sandy Higgins   10 December 1921
James Silverthorne   10 December 1921
.

Questions & Answers

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000Z

Two new occasional series are about to start on this blog which I hope readers will play their part in :

Ask Aitch !

Do you have a question regarding Norwich City Football Club history or trivia ? Maybe a memory that you can't quite piece together due to missing information ? The solution of course may already be on Sing Up The River End! but if you want to contact me either by the comment facility or e mail (address at bottom of the blog) I will try to publish you an answer.

Who Knows !

Many questions are likely to be beyond me. So, if I don't know the answer, I will put out a request to see if any other readers can help. It's amazing what people know and remember and it may just give you what you are looking for.

If you wish to remain anonymous, that is not a problem, but tell me that when making contact.
.

Born This Week

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000Z

. January 2nd (Today)

Andy Hughes ~ in 1978 in Stockport

. January 3rd

Youssef Safri ~ in 1977 in Casablanca

. January 4th

Russell Martin ~ in 1986 in Brighton

Scott Howie ~ in 1972 in Glasgow

Paul Clayton ~ in 1965 in Dunstable

Ernest 'Tim' Coleman ~ in 1908 in Nottingham

. January 5th

Daniel Pacheco ~ in 1991 in Pizarra, Spain

Paul Blades ~ in 1965 in Peterborough

Steve Walford ~ 1958 in Highgate

David Fairclough ~ in 1957 in Liverpool

Kevin Keelan ~ in 1941 in Calcutta

Alf Ackerman ~ in 1929 in Daspoort, South Africa

. January 6th

Stephen Elliott ~ in 1984 in Dublin

Phil Hoadley ~ in 1952 in Battersea

. January 7th

Jimmy Smith ~ in 1987 in Newham

Arthur Stenner ~ in 1934 in Yeovil

Les Eyre ~ in 1922 in Ilkeston

John Duthie ~ in 1903 in Fraserburgh

. January 8th

Ted MacDougall ~ in 1947 in Inverness

Harold Joy ~ in 1921 in Cardiff

Bobby Beale ~ in 1884 in Maidstone

Davie Ross ~ in 1883 in Darwen, Lancs

[This feature is produced weekly and posted on Sing Up The River End! every Monday]
.

Norwich City History Against......Queens Park Rangers

2012-01-01T06:38:00.000Z

All Competitions
Norwich City 45 wins QPR 39 wins 33 draws
Norwich goals 158 QPR goals 154

Football League
Norwich City 45 wins QPR 36 wins 31 draws
Norwich goals 153 QPR goals 143

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 33 wins QPR 8 wins 15 draws
Norwich goals 94 QPR goals 43

All league games at QPR
Norwich City 12 wins QPR 28 wins 16 draws
Norwich goals 59 QPR goals 100

Cup Football
Norwich City 0 wins QPR 3 wins 2 draws
Norwich goals 5 QPR goals 11

Queens Park Rangers are the side that Norwich City have met more often than any other in league and cup history, in fifty six seasons they have shared the same divisional status. In fact, outside of the statistics shown above, the two clubs had also been foes in non league football dating back to 1905, in the Southern League. They remained together there until 1920 (QPR actually won the Southern League in 1907-08 and 1911-12 and were a leading club of that era). They both joined the Football League Division Three for 1920-21 and a year later Division Three South. Since then the clubs have often found their footballing fortunes to be remarkably similar, spending large periods of time at the same level, including the top flight - Norwich City have spent 22 years there and Queens Park Rangers 21.

The first meeting in the series was actually a FA Cup tie at The Nest on the 15th of January 1910 which ended 0-0. QPR won the replay 3-0. The first Football League clash came on the 5th of February 1921 which resulted in a 2-0 home win to Norwich with goals from John Parker and Sam Austin. Two weeks later QPR reversed the scoreline in the return fixture. It took the Canaries six more games to secure another win but when they did so it was in style - a 5-0 win on the 21st of April 1924, James Jackson (2), Bob Dennison, Jimmy Banks and Philip Hope scoring. QPR finished bottom of the league that year and the next season City gained their first ever away win over them, 2-1 on Christmas Day with Jimmy Banks and Frank McCudden netting. It must have deflated the west Londoners because on Boxing Day they came to The Nest where Norwich gave them another 5-0 thumping - Jimmy Banks (again), Frank McCudden with a brace, James Stoakes and an own goal.

The run of games was broken when Norwich won the Third Division South title in 1933-34 and went up to the second tier. QPR remained at third level until they won the division themselves in 1947-48. Norwich of course were back in the Third Division South themselves by then and four years later so too were Rangers, so fixtures prevailed once again for most of the fifties, broken when Norwich reached Division Two in 1960-61. QPR did not join them until 1967-68, when they went on to finish second in the table, and so beat City to the top flight. They were however, relegated straight back down after finishing bottom.

Both clubs were destined though to establish themselves as First Division clubs for much of the next twenty five years and shared the distinction of being founder members of the Premier League. The first ever top flight clash however, came in Division One on the 29th of August 1973 which ended 0-0. City triumphed at Loftus Road later in the season 2-1, Trevor Howard and John Benson scoring. Rangers' best ever league finish was in 1975-76 when they finished second to Liverpool. They lost only one of their last fifteen games, and that was at Carrow Road, 3-2 and just three games from the end of the campaign. The City strikes came from Ted MacDougall, Peter Morris and Phil Boyer and the match ultimately cost QPR the title - Liverpool, who were allowed to finish their fixtures later than their rivals pipped the London club by one point.

QPR lost their Premier League position after finishing one from bottom in 1995-96, leading to a sixteen year spell in the second and third tiers. In 2008-09 in the Championship - the Hoops won 1-0 at Carrow Road and the Canaries 1-0 at Loftus Road. Fans will remember City being given a penalty after Lee Croft was brought down in the box, but the referee changed his mind after speaking to a linesman. Darel Russell won the game with a second half goal. In the meeting between the two clubs in the same competition in October 2010 - Wes Hoolahan missed a penalty for City at Loftus Road in a 0-0 draw. Norwich won the game at Carrow Road on New Year's Day 2011 by a single Russell Martin goal in the 10th minute. At the end of the season QPR and Norwich were both promoted to the Premier League as level two champions and runners up respectively.

In their first clash of the 2011-12 campaign, Norwich won 2-1 at home with Russell Martin scoring again, and Grant Holt grabbing a second half winner. The same scoreline occurred in the return fixture, with City again the victors. After falling a goal behind, the Canaries equalised through Anthony Pilkington after Joey Barton had been red carded. Steve Morison hit the late decider.

Other than the 1910 ties, Norwich and QPR have been drawn together in the FA Cup only once more, in 1946. An extraordinary 4-4 draw was played out at Carrow Road in front of over 26,000 people, but QPR won the replay 2-0. The sides have never met in the League Cup, but did clash in the Zenith Data Systems Cup in 1991, which Rangers won 2-1. Norwich have therefore never beaten QPR in a cup match.

The biggest scorelines in the series in addition to those two 5-0 City wins are 4-0 to QPR (1926 and 1970), 5-2 to QPR in 1933 (City's title winning year and one of only six defeats all season) and 5-2 to Norwich in 1948 (QPR's title winning year and one of only seven defeats all season for them).

Queens Park Rangers were formed in 1882 with the merger of St Judes and Christchurch Rangers in the Queens Park area of north west London. The club have played home matches in at least sixteen different grounds. They won the League Cup in 1966-67 whilst still a Third Division side. In 1981-82 they were defeated in a FA Cup Final replay against Spurs.

. For a list of players associated with both clubs, click here http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2011/12/norwich-city-queens-park-rangers_30.html

. For information on managerial associations, click here
http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2011/12/norwich-city-queens-park-rangers.html

Did You Know ?

Queens Park Rangers have had two short spells playing at the White City Stadium, a location more famous for greyhound racing and speedway.

To see what part Queens Park Rangers have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the side bar.

Most recent games
2 Jan 2011 (Premier League) QPR 1 Norwich City 2
26 Nov 2011 (Premier League) Norwich City 2 QPR 1
1 Jan 2011 (Championship) Norwich City 1 QPR 0
16 Oct 2010 (Championship) QPR 0 Norwich City 0
3 Mar 2009 (Championship) QPR 0 Norwich City 1
17 Sep 2008 (Championship) Norwich City 0 QPR 1
26 Apr 2008 (Championship) Norwich City 3 QPR 0
8 Oct 2007 (Championship) QPR 1 Norwich City 0
30 Dec 2006 (Championship) Norwich City 1 QPR 0

pictured : Mike Sheron, who had a short spell at Carrow Road between 1994-1995 and then played for QPR 1997-1999

Norwich City Career Statistics

2012-01-01T06:30:00.000Z

Here are the club career statistics for each of the players in the Norwich City squad as we go into the 2012.

Should Adam Drury reach 350 games, he will be only the 16th man out of the 1001 Norwich players in history to reach that landmark.

Adam Drury 347 appearances 4 goals
Wes Hoolahan 140 appearances 28 goals
Simon Lappin 119 appearances 3 goals
Chris Martin 114 appearances 34 goals
Grant Holt 110 appearances 60 goals
Russell Martin 93 appearances 7 goals
Korey Smith 73 appearances 4 goals
John Ruddy 64 appearances 0 goals
Andrew Crofts 61 appearances 8 goals
David Fox     51 appearances 1 goal
Simeon Jackson 50 appearances 15 goals
Leon Barnett   42 appearances 2 goals
Elliott Ward 41 appearances 1 goal
Zak Whitbread 35 appearances 1 goal
Marc Tierney   33 appearances   0 goals
Andrew Surman   33 appearances 4 goals
Oli Johnson 23 appearances 4 goals
Steve Morison 19 appearances 6 goals
Tom Adeyemi 17 appearances 0 goals
Bradley Johnson 17 appearances 2 goals
Kyle Naughton 17 appearances 0 goals
Elliott Bennett   15 appearances   0 goals
Aaron Wilbraham   15 appearances 1 goal
Anthony Pilkington 15 appearances 4 goals
Declan Rudd 14 appearances 0 goals
Ritchie De Laet 7 appearances 1 goal
George Francomb 4 appearances 0 goals
Josh Dawkin 3 appearances 0 goals
Daniel Ayala   3 appearances   0 goals
James Vaughan 3 appearances 0 goals
.

This Month In History - January

2012-01-01T06:15:00.000Z

1st January 1920 - The Canaries play their first ever New Year's Day fixture - away at Ninian Park against Cardiff City. It was in the Southern League and Norwich lost 1-0

6th January 1951 - Norwich City of Division Three South topple First Division Liverpool 3-1 at Carrow Road in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup

15th January 1975 - Tommy Hunt, who scored 33 goals in 51 appearances for Norwich between 1929 and 1932, died in a West Bromwich hospital

20th January 1915 - Sir Samuel Hoare, former Conservative MP for Norwich, first President of the club, and the man who kicked off Norwich City's first ever game in 1902, passed away aged 73

28th January 1989 - Norwich City beat Sutton United 8-0 in the 4th Round of the FA Cup at Carrow Road. The non league side had conquered Coventry City in the previous round

30th January 1962 - The Canaries pulled off a 2-1 win against Ipswich Town at Portman Road in a 4th Round FA Cup replay, with Terry Allcock bagging both goals
.

Norwich City & Queens Park Rangers - Players

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000Z

The following players have all had connections with Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers :

. Arthur Archer (D) *
. Graham Benstead (GK) *
. John Bowman (M) *
. Horace Brindley (W)
. Lee Camp (GK)
. Dean Coney (F) *
. Peter Crouch (F)
. Jamie Cureton (F)
. William Dempsey (D)
. Harry Dix (W)
. John Duthie (F)
. Len Featherby (W)
. Fred Ferrari (D)
. Oscar Hold (F)
. Percy Humphreys (F)
. Matt Jackson (D) *
. Jason Jarrett (M)
. Harold Levi (W) **
. Andy Linighan (D)
. Kevin Lisbie (F)
. Dean Marney (M)
. Brian McGovern (D)
. Patrick McLarney (D) *
. Hugh McQueen (W)
. Gerry Newlands (D) *
. Mick O'Brien (D)
. John O'Neill (D) *
. Paul Peschisolido (F)
. Zesh Rehman (D)
. Duncan Ronaldson (F) *
. Mike Sheron (F)
. Jimmy Smith (M/W)
. Geoff Taylor (W)
. George Travers (F)
. Percy Varco (F) *
. Chris Woods (GK) *

* associated with QPR immediately before Norwich City
** associated with QPR immediately after Norwich City

All players listed made at least one competitive appearance for Norwich City. Their associations with QPR may have come through first team, reserve or youth football. Wartime guest appearances are not included, or trials in friendly matches.
.

Norwich City & Queens Park Rangers - Managers

2011-12-30T05:30:00.000Z

Just one man in history has managed both Norwich City and QPR. John Bowman joined City in 1905 and became the club's first professional manager, at the time the Citizens joined the Southern League. He had earlier played over 100 games for Rangers and in 1903 become their club secretary - the name given to the very earliest managers in association football. In 1931 he once more returned to the London club for a short spell as manager.

Glenn Roeder managed Norwich City, and had played for QPR between 1978 and 1983.

Two former Canary players went on to manage the London club - Mick O'Brien (1933-35) and Jack Taylor (1952-1959).
.

Highest Attendances At Carrow Road

2011-12-30T02:00:00.000Z

Here are the largest crowds attending a Norwich City match at Carrow Road :

43,984 30th March 1963 Leicester City (FA Cup 6th Round)

43,129 12th January 1950 Portsmouth (FA Cup 3rd Round Replay)

41,949 18th February 1961 Sunderland (FA Cup 5th Round)

41,000 11th March 1967 Sheffield Wednesday (FA Cup 5th Round)

39,973 20th February 1954 Leicester City (FA Cup 5th Round)

39,890 27th January 1962 Ipswich Town (FA Cup 4th Round)

38,930 12th January 1952 Arsenal (FA Cup 3rd Round)

38,000 10th January 1959 Manchester United (FA Cup 3rd Round)

38,000 24th January 1959 Cardiff City (FA Cup 4th Round)

38,000 18th February 1959 Tottenham Hotspur (FA Cup 5th Rnd Replay)

38,000 4th March 1959 Sheffield United (FA Cup 6th Round Replay)

37,863 28th April 1948 Notts County (Division Three South)

36,688 24th April 1973 Crystal Palace (Division One)

36,500 28th October 1972   Liverpool (Division One)

36,479 9th September 1959   Barnsley (Division Three)

35,943 30th April 1975 Aston Villa (Division Two)

35,933 26 December 1949 Nottingham Forest (Division Three South)

35,927 17th November 1971 Chelsea (League Cup 5th Round)
.

Norwich City History Against......Fulham

2011-12-29T14:32:00.000Z

All Competitions
Norwich City 11 wins Fulham 18 wins 11 draws
Norwich goals 46 Fulham goals 68

Football League
Norwich City 10 wins Fulham 13 wins 10 draws
Norwich goals 42 Fulham goals 56

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 5 wins Fulham 6 wins 6 draws
Norwich goals 22 Fulham goals 23

All league games at Fulham
Norwich City 5 wins Fulham 7 wins 4 draws
Norwich goals 20 Fulham goals 33

Cup Football
Norwich City 1 win Fulham 5 wins 1 draw
Norwich goals 4 Fulham goals 12

Fulham were formed in 1879, turned professional in 1898, and having been champions of the Southern League in the consecutive seasons of 1905-06 and 1906-07, they joined the Second Division of the Football League in 1907-08. It was the start of a long period of time in which they played at that level, without ever really threatening to get promotion to the upper tier. In fact their highest finishing position was 4th in that very first campaign.

Norwich City of course were members of the Southern League at this time (and had played Fulham in both of their championship winning seasons), but it would be many years before they would be in the same Football League division as the Cottagers. However, the clubs did meet in the FA Cup on the 1st of February 1908, in a 2nd Round tie. It was the year Norwich had knocked holders Wednesday out of the competition in the first round. A crowd of 20,000 at Craven Cottage saw Fulham gain a two goal lead by half time, and though City managed a Tommy Allsopp goal after the break, the home side hung on for a 2-1 win.

That same scoreline prevailed in another match played between the clubs later in 1908. This time it was a friendly game, on the 1st of September, and was the first match Norwich City played at the Nest.

Football League contests started in 1928-29 after Fulham had been relegated to the Third Division South for the first time in their history. The Canaries lost the first game, away from home on the 17th of November 1928, 2-1, but managed a share of the spoils in the return game the following March. John Stephenson and Frank McKenna scored in a 2-2 draw. But this initial run of games against Fulham was not a happy one for Norwich, they failed to win any of the eight clashes up to the end of 1931-32, and lost 4-0 on two occasions (once at home and once away).

Fulham won Division Three South in 1932, so league fixtures ceased. The wait for more however was not long, as City joined them in the second tier just two years later in 1934. And in that very first season they also beat Fulham in competitive football for the first time, on the 5th of January 1935. Two goals from Alf Kirchen and another from Jack Vinall saw a fine 3-1 victory for the Canaries at Craven Cottage. This series of matches continued up until World War Two, by which time Norwich had been relegated back to Division Three South. It was a much better period for the team in yellow - two more away wins were secured, both in 1937, by scorelines of 3-2 and 4-3.

The fifties saw Fulham in the top flight for the first time, a stay that lasted three seasons. Seven seasons followed in Division Two, before another return to Division One in 1959-60. It was when they lost top flight status for the second time that a league match with Norwich next took place. The Canaries achieved the double over them in 1968-69 with a 3-1 win in London (Hugh Curran, John Manning and Ken Foggo), and a 2-0 victory at Carrow Road (with second half goals from Charlie Crickmore and John Manning again). But at the end of the season, Fulham finished bottom of the table, suffering therefore back to back relegations.

Their stay in the third level was short. By 1971-72 they were back in Division Two - just in time to catch the Canaries, who were in the process of winning the championship. A 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage was followed by a 2-1 Norwich win, with goals from Ken Foggo and Phil Hubbard (the only one he scored for City). Fulham remained in the second tier for the rest of the seventies. The eighties saw them consigned back to Division Three for a long period, and the nineties included three seasons at the fourth level. Meantime Norwich were enjoying the best twenty years of their history - the only time they came into contact with Fulham in the league were in the the seasons when they suffered twelve month drops back to Division Two in 1974-75 and 1985-86.

A short series of matches took place between 1999 and 2001 in the second tier - again Fulham had the upper hand winning three games out of the four with the other drawn. This ended with them gaining promotion to the Premier League, where they have remained ever since. The clubs clashed in the top flight of English football for the first time on the 4th of December 2004, with Fulham winning courtesy of an early goal. The return fixture took place on the last day of the season. Norwich, who had looked favourites for relegation for much of the campaign, went to Craven Cottage knowing a win would secure their Premier League status for another season. Plenty of supporters turned up for the occasion, but regrettably few of the players joined them, as Fulham romped to a 6-0 triumph to send City down to the Championship.

The clubs did not meet again until Norwich returned to the top flight in 2011-12. An equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time from Simeon Jackson secured the Canaries a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

That 1908 match is the only time the clubs have ever met in the FA Cup. Three matches have though taken place in the League Cup. A Terry Allcock goal was enough to see City home in a 4th Round tie in 1962. Fulham however won a two legged affair in 1999 - 6-0 on aggregate ! Three Anglo Scottish Cup matches also took place between 1975 and 1977 - with the Cottagers winning twice with one drawn.

Fulham were originally called Fulham St Andrew's Church Sunday School FC but shortened their name in 1888. They are the oldest professional club in London.

Players with connections to both clubs include Viv Busby, Dickson Etuhu, Leon McKenzie and Zesh Rehman.

To see what part Fulham have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the side bar.

Most recent games
31 Dec 2011 (Premier League) Norwich City 1 Fulham 1
15 May 2005 (Premier League) Fulham 6 Norwich City 0
4 Dec 2004 (Premier League) Norwich City 0 Fulham 1
13 Jan 2001 (Division One) Fulham 2 Norwich City 0
28 Aug 2000 (Division One) Norwich City 0 Fulham 1

pictured : Zesh Rehman, who had a loan spell at Norwich City in 2006 from Fulham (picture source : The Guardian)

Pass That By Me Again

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000Z

If you read something on Sing Up The River End! and think 'that looks familiar', it's probably because you have seen it on here before. I have recently been updating a few posts - either some of the things written have been changed by events since, or new information has come to hand that needs adding. But some of these posts go back a long way, and to simply drop them back into where they were on the blog, means the changes are unlikely to be seen. So I have been putting them back on the front page to bring attention to them.

There is now so much content on SUTRE! that I have to believe few people who discover us for the first time are ever going to look back over too many pages. I have therefore decided that the re-cycling of posts should become a feature of the blog, whether the article has been updated or not. The quantity of new posts will not diminish, but expect a handful of repeats every month alongside them. It will keep the site fresh and ensure newer viewers have more to read. I say handful, it may well be more than that ! Some items are only relevant to the time they were posted (such as Canary Chronicles, Life After City) and the statistical items (such as Final Placings and Winning Years) are on the blog simply so they are recorded, and are searchable through the sidebar. They will not need moving back to the top. But that leaves over 300 posts, some of which are nearly two years old now, that probably deserve another airing. My target is another 450 new items in 2012, at least half of which will probably also go on to qualify as repeatable. Providing nothing comes along in life to stop this project, I can see 2013 consisting of 75 posts a month - fifty new and twenty five re-published.

If you have seen the entry before and enjoyed it, hopefully you will do so a second time around. I hope these plans I have do not lessen the pleasure of readers. However, interestingly, some of the repeats I have recently put back to the front page have attracted much more attention second time around. I am actually starting to believe readers enjoy it more, if it is something they have seen before, and not quite remembered !! Time will tell if I am doing the right thing here.

I have a number of other decisions to make going into 2012. The majority of clubs in the top two divisions have now been covered in the head to head series (because we have played them since January 2010 when SUTRE! was born). These items are by far the most time consuming I have to write. Some of the early posts were not as concise as I write now, so there is a case for updating them. And I may also do historical head to heads for West Ham, Birmingham City and Blackpool who we missed as we went up to the Premier League. That exercise perhaps should wait until season's end. And then it may lead to an attempt to cover all other clubs we have met in senior competition - many of course are a distance behind us now. Thinking about it, SUTRE! will not be complete until they are all on here, so it is a must for some time in the future.

QPR will be the first repeated head to head of this campaign when we play them again on the 2nd of January. I will be adding some significant information on player connections to run alongside this item, and will do likewise for all future head to heads. Collating this information took over 40 hours over a three month period, but will lead to an additional post a week.

2012 will also see the start of an attempt to list total appearances and total goals by player. This will be in sections by surname initial - all of our 'A' players will be covered in the first part of January.

Soon into the New Year, all birth dates will have been covered, so again more time saved as it is just a question of re-publishing each week. More opportunity for me to write fresh things to bring to the site. Design will not change - I see no need for that.

Just more of the same, as my tribute to the great Norwich City enters it's third year..........

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has followed Sing Up The River End! throughout 2011, and especially those who have taken the time to get in touch. I hope your support will continue into the future.
.

The Worst Football Kits Of All Time

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000Z

I first came into contact with Dave Moor soon after I started on the Sing Up The River End! project. He is the man behind what I have always considered the best football history website to be found anywhere on the internet - Historical Football Kits. I was able to point him in the direction of a small amount of information regarding Norwich City colours from the past - meat and drink to Dave as he relies on supporters and historians to ensure his site continues to grow in terms of both volume and accuracy. Some time later, he asked if I would be interested in producing a few words regarding our famous 'bird poo shirt' from 1992. The result of that conversation can now be found in a delightful book called 'The Worst Football Kits Of All Time'. If you are interested in football shirts, you will enjoy the great photographs and graphics - and details on a number of English and Scottish clubs from Victorian times.

The book is a nice addition to any football library. If you had tokens for Christmas from Waterstones or Amazon, you could do worse than adding this publication to your collection. Or better still, you can get it direct from Dave, via his website by clicking here
http://shop.historicalkits.co.uk/content/worst-football-kits-all-time-special-signed-edition
.

Canary Fact File

2011-12-27T06:00:00.000Z

Norman Low was the captain in every FA Cup match the Canaries played in during the 1940's

In 1970, retired goalkeeper Sandy Kennon played three times in the Minor Counties cricket championship for Norfolk

Steve Walsh, who played four times for Norwich in 2000 towards the end of a long footballing career, jointly holds the record for the most dismissals in the Football League, with 13 red cards

Ron Saunders was a manager in three consecutive League Cup Finals - 1973 (Norwich City), 1974 (Manchester City) and 1975 (Aston Villa)

Ex Canary defender Rob Newman currently heads up the Spanish scouting operation of Manchester City

Nigel Worthington's first signing as Norwich City manager was Zema Abbey

Norwich City History Against......Tottenham Hotspur

2011-12-26T06:00:00.001Z

All Competitions
Norwich City 17 wins Tottenham Hotspur 26 wins 14 draws
Norwich goals 67 Tottenham Hotspur goals 93

Football League
Norwich City 14 wins Tottenham Hotspur 23 wins 12 draws
Norwich goals 59 Tottenham Hotspur goals 84

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 10 wins Tottenham Hotspur 9 wins 6 draws
Norwich goals 36 Tottenham Hotspur goals 34

All league games at Tottenham Hotspur
Norwich City 4 wins Tottenham Hotspur 14 wins 6 draws
Norwich goals 23 Tottenham Hotspur goals 50

Cup Football
Norwich City 3 wins Tottenham Hotspur 3 wins 2 draws
Norwich goals 8 Tottenham Hotspur goals 9

Despite being formed as early as 1882, Tottenham Hotspur do not have as long a history in the Football League as many of the other major English clubs, having not joined until the 1908-09 season. Until then they played in the Southern League, and it was here that they first crossed swords with Norwich City. The Citizens turned professional and joined that competition in 1905-06. Spurs were one of the star attractions in the division, largely considered as good as any Football League club. That notion was reinforced by the fact that they had won the FA Cup in 1901 whilst still a non league side. The first contest between the clubs was on the 14th of April 1906, and was arguably the highlight of City's inaugural professional campaign. Playing at Newmarket Road in front of the largest gate of the season (11,500 and the biggest attendance ever at the club's first home ground), the Citizens triumphed 4-1 with goals from the excellent striking duo of Davie Ross (2) and Duncan Ronaldson, and another from full back Arthur Archer. The clubs met again just three days later at White Hart Lane, and not unexpectedly the home side got their revenge, 3-0. It is perhaps an indication of just how popular football was becoming in the Fine City - two and a half thousand fewer people turned up for the second match.

1906-07 saw more Southern League clashes, a 2-2 draw in London was followed by a crashing 5-0 win to Norwich - Ross and Ronaldson again getting in on the act, plus one each for Willie Wood, Billy Bushell and James Chalmers. 1907-08 saw the final non league meetings, both ending in home wins. The following season, Spurs joined the Football League Second Division. They finished as runners up, and so quickly found themselves up into the top flight of English football. It would take until 1935 before the clubs next shared divisional status.

Before then however, a famous FA Cup clash was played. On the 30th of January 1915, Tottenham came to The Nest for a 2nd Round tie. Now an established Football League side (with Norwich still in the Southern League), they were beaten 3-2 by the Canaries who came back from 2-0 down. Spurs had scored in the first minute, before goalie Joe Lansdale put through his own net. But Norwich completed a stunning recovery through two Danny Wilson goals and a winner from Wally Taylor. More information on this match can be found in the Significant Matches section.

Spurs returned to the Nest in 1920 for a Norfolk & Norwich Hospital Cup game, winning 4-0. But the first Football League fixture did not occur until the 14th of December 1935. Tottenham had been relegated to the Second Division by then, and Norwich were enjoying their highest league status in history. The game, played at White Hart Lane ended in a 2-1 home win. The Canaries however won the re-match 1-0 the following April, with Jack Vinall getting the all important goal. The next campaign, Norwich won in North London for the first time, 3-2, though Spurs turned the tables at Carrow Road later in the season, winning by the same scoreline.

Norwich were relegated back to Division Three South in the last season before World War Two. And with Tottenham Hotspur climbing back to the First Division in the early fifties, it meant the next league clash would not be until the early seventies when Norwich joined them there. However no history between the clubs would be complete without a big mention of the events of 1959. Norwich were drawn out of the FA Cup hat to play Spurs at White Hart Lane in the 5th Round. Though still a Third Division South team, they had already seen off the likes of Manchester United and Cardiff City in the earlier stages. Surely though, this would prove to be a test too far. That Spurs required a last minute deflected equaliser (after Terry Allcock had given City a second half lead), tells you all you need to know about the match ! A crowd of 38,000 attended the Carrow Road replay. Norwich played superbly well once again, and a 63rd minute goal from Terry Bly, deservedly put them through to the next round.

The 14th of October 1972 witnessed the first ever top flight match between the clubs. A brace from David Cross helped Norwich to a 2-1 win and added to a tidy start in Division One for the Canaries. But by the time the return fixture took place on the 10th of March 1973, they had been dragged into a relegation dogfight, and lost 3-0. And that was just a week after another significant defeat to Spurs, in the League Cup Final at Wembley. After a super campaign that had seen great victories over two other London sides in Arsenal and Chelsea, City ran out of steam on their big day out. In a drab match, Ralph Coates scored the only goal in the second half to take Spurs to the trophy.

All league matches between the clubs since 1972 have been in either Division One or the Premier League. Memorable amongst the Norwich performances were a 4-0 win at Carrow Road in 1979 (Kevin Reeves 2, Justin Fashanu and Martin Peters), 3-2 away in 1981 (Dave Watson, Martin O'Neill and an own goal), and another win at White Hart Lane in 1988 (Kevin Drinkell, Robert Fleck and Jeremy Goss). With the advent of the Premier League in 1992, the first clash ended 0-0, but a few months later, City were ambushed 5-1 in North London. But in the very next contest, an improved Canary performance led to a 3-1 away win courtesy of a Chris Sutton brace and another from Efan Ekoku.

After Norwich lost their Premier League position in 1994-95, there was a wait of nearly ten years before another league encounter. After securing a point away from home in a game without goals, City then slipped to a 2-0 home defeat in December 1994. The same result occurred when the clubs next met, in 2011, once more in the Premier League.

In cup football, there have been eight matches in total with both clubs winning three matches. The most recent was on the 24th of January 1993 in the FA Cup Fourth Round, which saw Spurs travelling to East Anglia and winning 2-0.

Hotspur Football Club was instigated by pupils of a Bible class at All Hallows Church and Tottenham was added to the name in 1884. They have been English champions twice, in 1951 and 1961, and have won the FA Cup eight times, including 1961 thereby achieving the Double. They have also secured the League Cup on four occasions and the UEFA Cup twice.

Men with connections to both clubs include Martin Peters, Tim Sherwood, Marin Chivers and Kevin Bond.

To see what part Tottenham Hotspur have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the side bar.

Most recent games
27 Dec 2011 (Premier League) Norwich City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
26 Dec 2004 (Premier League) Norwich City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
12 Sep 2004 (Premier League) Tottenham Hotspur 0 Norwich City 0
17 Apr 1995 (Premier League) Tottenham Hotspur 1 Norwich City 0
26 Dec 1994 (Premier League) Norwich City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2

pictured : Tim Sherwood, played for both clubs, and currently assistant first team coach at White Hart Lane

Born This Week

2011-12-26T06:00:00.000Z

. December 26th (Today)

David Smith ~ in 1970 in Liverpool

Don Heath ~ in 1944 in Stockton on Tees

Sam Jennings ~ in 1898 in Cinderhill, Notts

. December 27th

Doug Livermore ~ in 1947 in Prescot, Merseyside

William Lumley ~ in 1898 in Gateshead

James Jackson ~ in 1897 in Bollington, Cheshire

. December 28th

Ched Evans ~ in 1988 in St. Asaph, North Wales

Leroy Lita ~ in 1984 in Kinshasa, DR of Congo

. December 29th

Albert Piggin ~ in 1894 in Norwich

. December 30th

Colin Suggett ~ in 1948 in Chester-le-Street

. December 31st

Steve Bruce ~ in 1960 in Corbridge, Northumberland

Bryan Hamilton ~ in 1946 in Belfast

William Bertram ~ in 1897 in Brandon, Co Durham

. January 1st

Ben Alnwick ~ in 1987 in Prudhoe, Northumberland

Calum Davenport ~ in 1983 in Bedford

Phil Mulryne ~ in 1978 in Belfast

Horace Brindley ~ in 1885 in Knutton, Staffs

[This feature is produced weekly and posted on Sing Up The River End! every Monday]

Christmas Day Football

2011-12-25T05:50:00.000Z

Modern men may have many reasons to be thankful they were not born fifty or a hundred years earlier, but if you are the kind who would just love to attend a Norwich City match sometime later today you may just be a little envious of previous generations. For there was a time when Christmas Day matches were a regular feature of the fixture list - as far as City were concerned from the early 1900's through to the mid fifties - with men leaving their family home for a few hours to cheer from the terraces, sing carols to the music of a half time brass band, and inhale even more cigar smoke than usual on this very special day of the year.

Here are a few December the 25th facts, figures and memories :

The first record of a Norwich City Christmas Day game was in 1905, in the Southern League. Swindon Town came up from Wiltshire to play at Newmarket Road and the Citizens won 1-0 with a second half goal from Davie Ross, the first scoring legend the club ever had. 10,245 people attended the match, a record at the time.

Once Norwich had joined the Football League, Christmas Day rivals tended to be London or south east based teams. Travel was difficult, with public transport services curtailed or suspended altogether, so crowds were largely partisan. Our old friends Crystal Palace were the opponents on more than one occasion, as were QPR, Southend and Gillingham. There were a few notable exceptions such as Grimsby Town and Nottingham Forest, and in 1936 Newcastle United were no doubt joyous at having to make a trip down to Carrow Road from the north east of England for a Division Two match, which City won 1-0.

Christmas Day games did not occur every year - it was still partly dependent on which day the 25th fell. But often Boxing Day would see a return fixture. I wonder if the teams travelled back together, in the same railway carriage ? I bet they may have done. Football, and life, was different then.

Often, games kicked off early, even in the morning, to allow supporters to return home at a reasonable time and fulfil at least some of their family duties, provided they could pass the ale houses without going in.

In 1940, with the nation at war and the Football League competition suspended, clubs played friendly matches, with teams put together with whatever resources were available, including guest players and servicemen. Brighton & Hove Albion arrived at Norwich on Christmas Day 1940 with only five players. Rather than abandon the event, the Canaries lent them some reserve players - before chalking up an 18-0 victory !

Probably the best Christmas Day and festive season ever for Norwich City fans came in 1951 when, unusually, the fixture was the East Anglian Derby. The Canaries paid a visit to Portman Road, and in front of 16,821 people won 2-0 with goals from Alf Ackerman and Noel Kinsey. The next day Ipswich travelled north to Carrow Road - it ended 2-0 to City again, with Ackerman once more on the score sheet and Roy Hollis getting the other. The crowd was 32,008. And to complete the perfect holiday campaign they then saw off Walsall at home on the 29th with an 8-0 win - goals courtesy of Roy Hollis (5), Noel Kinsey, Derrick Rackham and Denys Jones. imagine that sequence of results this year. It would be enough to blow your green and yellow socks off ! The ones you had as a present this morning.

By the mid fifties Christmas Day Football League fixtures had just about ceased, with only a few clubs deciding to continue the tradition. Norwich City's final match on this day was in 1956 at Colchester United in a 1-1 draw. Terry Bly was our scorer.

We hope all of our readers have a very nice day today. And whilst some of you may think it might have been an ideal time to have fitted in a game of footie for a few hours, just be thankful you didn't have the problem of plotting just how you could manipulate your escape from the house. I suspect many of our forefathers just went regardless. The lucky devils !!

[This post was first published on the 25th of December 2010, and will probably be posted on this date every year for as long as this blog exists!]

The Best Christmas Present Of All

2011-12-24T06:00:00.001Z

Making your first ever appearance in the yellow and green of the mighty Norwich City Football Club is a dream for many, so how much more thrilling must it have been for those who lived the experience on Christmas Day?

The earliest occasion of a player making his début for the Canaries on the 25th of December was way back in 1914 when Arthur Crossley ran out at Gillingham. The game ended in a 3-3 draw but it was twenty four hours later that Arthur really made an impact. Playing against the same opposition on Boxing Day at the Nest he netted twice in a 4-0 victory - his only goals for the club. Two more Southern League appearances followed over the festive break, but thereafter, he never played for City again.

Two Christmas Day debutants who did go on to make significant contributions to our history were goalkeepers Herbert Skermer (1919) and Ken Oxford (1953). The former featured in a 1-0 win at Swindon and his final tally of 95 games included the first match Norwich City played in the Football League in 1920. Herbert Skermer has an entry in the Stars Of The Past section of Sing Up The River End! Ken Oxford was between the posts in the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and he went on to play in a further 135 games through to November 1957. Also appearing in that match as a first time Canary was John Wilson, a right back who had earned his chance after a regular stint in the Reserves. Alas, he played just once more for the senior team, and had to wait until September 1954 for that opportunity.

Fred Dent (1928) was a centre forward and took his bow in the 2-1 Christmas Day defeat at Luton. Though he did not bother the scoreboard that day, he went on to achieve a ratio of a goal every other game in his 24 match career at The Nest. Rod Williams, who was a prolific scorer in the Reserves, did find the net on his debut in 1933 - getting the only goal in the game at Selhurst Park in a Division Three South fixture, and against his former club Crystal Palace. Williams was a cracking centre forward who had substantial successes at his subsequent clubs - a player City really should have kept hold of and used in more than 20 matches.

Christmas 1946 was a funny old time at Carrow Road. With World War Two over, and football back on the long path of recovery, Norwich went to Bournemouth in a Division Three South game on the 25th of December and won 1-0. In their ranks that day were two new players in defence - keeper George Wiseman and full back Aubrey Darmody. Their joy, and indeed that of all supporters did not last long. In the Boxing Day re-match at Carrow Road both were again on the team sheet, but the Cherries triumphed 6-1 in a stunning reversal of fortunes. Darmody did not feature again in the first team and Wiseman reached just eight games in total before pursuing a successful career in the police force.

Our last Christmas Day new face was in 1956. Midfielder Keith Bannister had a seven match career with Norwich City that lasted a month and a day, and started it in the 1-1 draw at Colchester United. His final senior match came on the 26th of January 1957 and in the summer of that year he moved on to Peterborough United.

So, mixed fortunes for these footballers, though whatever later life handed them, they must have felt all their Christmases had come together, the day they first played for Norwich City.
.

Final League Placings 1934-1935

2011-12-24T06:00:00.000Z

Football League 1934-1935
Division Two

Brentford 61
Bolton Wanderers 56
West Ham 56
Blackpool 53
Manchester United 50
Newcastle United 48
Fulham 46
Plymouth Argyle 46
Nottingham Forest 42
Bury 42
Sheffield United 41
Burnley 41
Hull City 40
Norwich City 39
Bradford Park Avenue 38
Barnsley 38
Swansea Town 36
Port Vale 34
Southampton 34
Bradford City 32
Oldham Athletic 26
Notts County 25

Full City Record : P42 W14 D11 L17 F71 A61 PTS 39 Manager : Tom Parker

Arsenal were English champions
Sheffield Wednesday won the FA Cup

In This Year : Driving tests are made compulsory in the UK

The ocean liner RMS Queen Mary is launched

Flash Gordon is heard on the radio for the very first time

Final league placings will be posted on a regular basis until every table is listed - click on the label below for years posted so far.
.

The First (And Second) Noel

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000Z

Two Norwich City footballers in history have had the first name of Noel.

Noel Kinsey played 243 times for the Canaries between 1947 and 1953, scoring 65 goals. Born in Treorchy, the inside forward also played seven times for Wales and went on to appear in more than 200 further league matches for Birmingham City and Port Vale.

Noel Gilbert was a local lad from North Walsham, and though more often featuring for Norwich City Reserves, he did appear in one first team game in 1956, on the wing in a 3-2 defeat at Colchester United in Division Three South.

Whilst not wishing to make assumptions, the first Noel was born on the 24th of December 1925 and the second on the 25th of December 1931, so we have something of a clue as to why they were named as they were !
.

First & Last - Chris Woods

2011-12-23T05:00:00.000Z

First game : 14th March 1981 versus Wolves away Division One 3-0 defeat

Last game : 6th May 1986 versus Liverpool away Super Cup 3-1 defeat

Signed from : QPR
Next club : Rangers
Played professionally : until 1998
.

Recent Norwich City Christmas & New Year Record

2011-12-22T06:37:00.000Z

Holiday games often stick in the memory longer than some others. Here are our Christmas and New Year performances of this century :

2010-11 (Championship)
28 Dec 2010 Sheffield United (h) W 4-2
1 Jan 2011 QPR (h) W 1-0

2009-10 (League One)
26 Dec 2009 Millwall (h) W 2-0
2 Jan 2010 Wycombe Wanderers (a) W 1-0

2008-09 (Championship)
26 Dec 2008 Crystal Palace (a) L 1-3
28 Dec 2008 Nottingham Forest (h) L 2-3

2007-08 (Championship)
26 Dec 2007 Charlton Athletic (h) D 1-1
29 Dec 2007 Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) D 1-1
1 Jan 2008 Crystal Palace (a) D 1-1

2006-07 (Championship)
26 Dec 2006 Southend United (h) D 0-0
30 Dec 2006 Queens Park Rangers (h) W 1-0
1 Jan 2007 Crystal Palace (a) L 1-3

2005-06 (Championship)
26 Dec 2005 Sheffield United (a) W 3-1
28 Dec 2005 Burnley (h) W 2-1
31 Dec 2005 Leicester City (a) W 1-0

2004-05 (Premier League)
26 Dec 2004 Tottenham Hotspur (h) L 0-2
28 Dec 2004 Middlesbrough (a) L 0-2
1 Jan 2005 Portsmouth (a) D 1-1

2003-04 (Division One)
26 Dec 2003 Nottingham Forest (h) W 1-0
28 Dec 2003 Derby County (a) W 4-0

2002-03 (Division One)
26 Dec 2002 Brighton & Hove Albion (h) L 0-1
28 Dec 2002 Grimsby Town (a) D 1-1

2001-02 (Division One)
26 Dec 2001 Nottingham Forest (a) L 0-2
29 Dec 2001 Sheffield Wednesday (a) W 5-0
1 Jan 2002 Walsall (h) D 1-1

2000-01 (Division One)
26 Dec 2000 Queens Park Rangers (a) W 3-2
30 Dec 2000 Nottingham Forest (a) D 0-0
1 Jan 2001 Blackburn Rovers (h) D 1-1

Overall : P28 W12 D9 L7

Home : P14 W6 D5 L3

Away : P14 W6 D4 L4
.

Orient 1 Norwich City 2 - 1972

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000Z

For many, this was the greatest and most significant match in the history of Norwich City Football Club. It was played on the 24th of April 1972, on a Bank Holiday Monday night at Brisbane Road. It was not a game marked by brilliant football. But it was the occasion on which the Canaries gained promotion to Division One for the very first time. A night of beers and tears. A night on which the streets of East London were turned yellow and green, as a few thousand or more City fans headed south, prayers said and fingers crossed. It was the penultimate match of a campaign that had witnessed the unlikely Norwich head the Second Division table from September onwards, apart from a minor blip in early March. Many fans had followed them throughout the sixties as they had consolidated themselves in the division, but few had seen an unprecedented run of success like this before. And on that Monday night, everyone knew the moment to seal a titanic achievement had arrived.

I was just twelve years old, and though a regular at Carrow Road, away games and night games were still out of my reach. For every one travelling supporter, there were another ten back in the Fine City awaiting news. After months of worry that the bubble would burst, that Ron Saunders' team would evaporate and return to mid table anonymity, it had finally all come down to ninety minutes. Two points (for that is all you got for a win in those days) would see the finishing line crossed. But Norwich had hit a groove where points were being excavated rather than crafted. Narrow 1-0 wins had recently been ground out against Swindon and Sheffield Wednesday at home, and in between a loss by the same scoreline at Middlesbrough. It had been a nervy few weeks that had affected form and performance. Talk of falling at the final hurdle filled the air.

The first half at Orient was goalless. All we needed was one goal, if recent matches were anything to go by. And Kenny Foggo, our tricky Scottish winger duly obliged, with a low shot into the corner of the net from just inside the box. It was his thirteenth of the league campaign (and also, incidentally, the last of the fifty seven he scored in a City shirt). And when Graham Paddon netted a second from the penalty spot, after an Orient defender had stopped his corner reaching the head of David Cross by use of an out stretched arm, dreamers dared to dream. The greatest event in the entire existence of the football club was unfolding perfectly. Our two nearest rivals, Birmingham City and Millwall were not in action until the following evening. A win would make that irrelevant.

In the end, 2-1 was still a narrow squeak, still too close for comfort - but in keeping with that particular Norwich team and the closing stages of that season. Grown men cried on the pitch after the whistle went. As did little boys at home. There were no underpants, as witnessed nearly forty years later at Fratton Park. But the joy was something very similar. The Canaries had achieved something that had seemed impossible before the season had started. The whole community was enveloped in pride and passion. The night produced emotions that would be carried around forever for those touched by the event. Many who made the journey from Norfolk took their time going back. A few pints were sunk for sure. And Brisbane Road lost it's penalty spot too, dug up by a souvenir hunter.

It was the final time in the season that we saw our men in yellow shirts celebrate. The small matter of winning the last match in order to be crowned champions remained. Another away game, this time at Watford. Oh yes, we still had something to sing about that day too. But the traditional yellow made way for red to avoid a clash with the home side. And our heroes got the point they needed to win the division.

Temporarily they did not look like Canaries, but we knew it was them.

Norwich Team : Kevin Keelan, Clive Payne, Alan Black (Terry Anderson), Dave Stringer, Duncan Forbes, Max Briggs, Doug Livermore, Jimmy Bone, David Cross, Graham Paddon, Kenny Foggo

Update - A day after posting this item I received a great e mail from Tony Moore, which I have added below :

Hi,
I’ve just read with interest your article on the Orient game of 1972 that took City to the 1st Division for the first time. My friend Geoff Vincent and I are the ones who got the piece of the penalty spot that night! What happened was that after the game we went for a drink in a nearby pub when someone gave us the actual penalty spot that had been dug up. Although the grass looked a bit long to be the penalty spot we took him at his word. We then went by tube to Woodford Green where we stopped at another pub. It was there that we bumped into Keith Skipper who had been at the game and reported on it for the Eastern Daily Press. We mentioned the penalty spot and he got his photographer to take our photo there and then. This photo was included in the special promotion supplement by the EDP. Although I also went to the Watford game I, like you, always believed that the Orient game was far more important. Winning the division was, for me, far less important that getting promotion.

Thanks for the happy reminder.

Kind regards,
Tony Moore

P.S. Still exhausted after my late night out supporting NCFC at Wolves
.

Canary Lists

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000Z

a list for everything NCFC...........

In history, Norwich City have shared relegation with nine other clubs :

Charlton Athletic 2009
Crystal Palace 1981 and 2005
Ipswich Town 1995
Leicester City 1981 and 1995
Manchester United 1974
Southampton 1974 and 2005 and 2009
Stoke City 1985
Sunderland 1985
Tranmere Rovers 1939
.

Quote Unquote

2011-12-19T08:08:00.001Z

"I've had great, great times here. At times over the past four years I've felt unstoppable. I only got that because the fans showed me so much respect, they expected something to happen every time I got the ball."

Darren Huckerby on his time at Carrow Road. Source BBC 21 April 2008
.

Born This Week

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000Z

. December 21st

Neil O'Donnell ~ in 1949 in Glasgow

Gerry Mannion ~ in 1939 in Burtonwood, Cheshire

. December 22nd

Mark Robins ~ in 1969 in Ashton under Lyne

Bryan Gunn ~ in 1963 in Thurso

Ernie Gadsden ~ in 1895 in Bulwell, Notts

. December 23rd

John Benson ~ in 1942 in Arbroath

. December 24th

Marc Edworthy ~ in 1972 in Barnstaple

Roy Hollis ~ in 1925 in Gt Yarmouth

Noel Kinsey ~ in 1925 in Treorchy

. December 25th

Rob Edwards ~ in 1982 in Madeley, Shropshire

Noel Gilbert ~ in 1931 in North Walsham

Charles Abbs ~ in 1887 in Erpingham, Norfolk

[This feature is produced weekly and posted on Sing Up The River End! every Monday]

Norwich City History Against......Wolverhampton Wanderers

2011-12-18T06:00:00.000Z

All Competitions
Norwich City 9 wins Wolves 28 wins 15 draws
Norwich goals 51 Wolves goals 91

Football League
Norwich City 8 wins Wolves 24 wins 13 draws
Norwich goals 43 Wolves goals 78

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 7 wins Wolves 8 wins 7 draws
Norwich goals 24 Wolves goals 28

All league games at Wolves
Norwich City 1 win Wolves 16 wins 6 draws
Norwich goals 19 Wolves goals 50

Cup Football
Norwich City 1 win Wolves 4 wins 2 draws
Norwich goals 8 Wolves goals 13

It was over sixty years after their formation before Norwich City first came into contact with Wolverhampton Wanderers in competitive football. The team from the Midlands were founder members of the Football League in 1888-89, finishing a creditable third in that season. And although Wolves have failed (unlike many of their contemporaries) to hold on to top flight status for long periods since then, they were still well ahead of Norwich until the second half of the twentieth century.

Wanderers first lost their place in Division One in 1905-06 (co-incidentally the year City turned professional with a place in the Southern League) after eighteen consecutive seasons in the highest tier. The next sixty years saw them appear in both the First and Second Divisions, and even a solitary term in the Third in 1923-24. Although this brought them down to the same level as the Canaries for nine months, still the clubs did not meet as it was in the days when Division Three was divided into north and south sections.

It took until the 2nd of October 1965 for the opening clash to take place - after Wolves had been relegated to Division Two for the first time since the Second World War. It was a bad day for the Canaries at Carrow Road - they lost 3-0 after a shocking first half during which all the goals were conceded. City's inaugural visit to Molineux the following March again ended in defeat, 2-1 after a Tommy Bryceland goal in the opening half had given them hope. In the next season, Wolves finished second in the table behind Coventry City, thereby returning to the top flight. In the process, they beat Norwich twice more.

The clubs did not meet again until 1971, this time in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup and again Wolverhampton Wanderers came off better. After a close first half had finished level (with Ken Foggo netting for Norwich), the home side ran amok after the break, adding four more goals. But eighteen months later, Norwich fought their way to the top division for the first time in history. The Division One clash on the 23rd of December 1972 at Carrow Road saw the Canaries get their first ever league point in the series, Jimmy Bone scoring before the interval in a game that ended 1-1. Status quo was maintained though the following April, with Wolves winning the return fixture 3-0 !

Whilst a few more draws occurred, it actually took until the fourteenth game (including two League Cup games and that FA Cup tie) for Norwich to win their first game against Wolves. On the 8th of October 1977, a brace from Martin Peters saw the Canaries grab a 2-1 win. Goals from John Ryan and Kevin Reeves (2) enabled City to get a share of the spoils the following March in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Molineux. But any respite from Wolverhampton superiority was short lived for Norwich fans - the Midlanders soon got back to winning ways, including a 4-0 win at Carrow Road in 1980.

The next fifteen years of course witnessed the most successful period in Norwich City history and coincided with a very dark era for Wolves. It meant the Canaries missed out on the chance of re-balancing the head to head series as the clubs did not meet. Wanderers lost their top flight status in 1981-82, and although they bounced straight back up, they were relegated again in 1983-84. It heralded an astonishing drop down the divisions - by 1986 Wolves were in Division Four. Thankfully for them, their rise was equally as quick, though it only took them back as far as the second level, by the end of the eighties.

So, the next clash between the clubs did not take place until Norwich's run in the top flight came to an end. The Canaries travelled to Molineux on the 13th September 1995 and won 2-0 with goals from Ashley Ward and Andy Johnson. It remains City's only win away from home in the series. All games since then have also taken place at the second level of English football, and again Wolverhampton Wanderers have largely held the upper hand. Norwich did secure single goal home wins in 2000 and 2001, but also took two drubbings at Molineux in 1998 (5-0) and 2000 (4-0).

Probably the most famous Norwich victory in the series came in 2002 when the clubs met in the Division One play-off semi finals. Wolves finished the regular season three places higher than City (though had failed to beat us) and had to travel to Carrow Road for the first leg. Although they led after the first half, they were rocked by a stirring Canary comeback - Mark Rivers grabbed an equaliser before Paul McVeigh gave City the lead. Icing was put on the cake in stoppage time with a close range header from Malky Mackay giving Norwich a rousing 3-1 advantage. Wolves won the second leg 1-0, but could not prevent the Canaries securing a play-off Final spot against Birmingham City, which they regrettably lost on penalties.

Eventually both clubs did make it to the Premier League, Wolves (for the first time in their history) in 2003-04, and Norwich the following year. Neither club lasted more than a single season back in the top flight. A run of eight matches then took place in the Championship, with Norwich failing to win any of the first six. The sequence ended on the 21st of October 2008 when City stunned Wolves 5-2 in a night match at Carrow Road with Lee Croft adding to a Leroy Lita hat-trick and an own goal. The return fixture in the following February saw another thriller with six goals shared - Lee Croft again, plus one each from Carl Cort (his only goal for Norwich) and Gary Doherty. Ironically, Wolves were promoted back to the Premier League at the end of the campaign whilst Norwich slipped down to the third tier for the first time in fifty years.

The next clash took place on the 20th of December 2011, when Norwich next played in the Premier League. The match ended in a draw as Wolves twice equalised after goals from Andrew Surman and Simeon Jackson.

Wolves also hold the power in knock-out football with that play-off success being City's solitary win. They ended the Canaries' League Cup run of 1973-74 at the semi final stage, 2-1 on aggregate on their way to lifting the trophy. The fact that Norwich went so close to a cup final themselves has been largely lost in time - overshadowed by the Wembley appearances of 1973 and 1975.

Wolverhampton were founded in 1877 by pupils from the St Luke's Church school, and when they merged with football and cricket team The Wanderers two years later, the club name we know today was applied. They have since been English champions three times (1954, 1958 and 1959), FA Cup winners four times (1893, 1908, 1949 and 1960) and have won the Football League Cup twice in 1974 and 1980.

Players with connections to both clubs include Iwan Roberts, Marc Edworthy, Hugh Curran and Paul Blades.

To see what part Wolverhampton Wanderers have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the side bar.

Most recent games
20 Dec 2011 (Premier League) Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Norwich City 2
3 Feb 2009 (Championship) Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 Norwich City 3
21 Oct 2008 (Championship) Norwich City 5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2
29 Dec 2007 (Championship) Norwich City 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
22 Sep 2007 (Championship) Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Norwich City 0
30 Jan 2007 (Championship) Norwich City 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
23 Dec 2006 (Championship) Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Norwich City 2

pictured : Paul Blades, defender who was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1992 for £325,000

New Stand At Carrow Road - 1986

2011-12-17T06:00:00.001Z

On 30th August 1986, Norwich City played their first league match in front of the new City Stand. It cost £1.7 million and consisted of 2,700 seats. The original stand had been partially damaged by fire in 1984.

The match, against Southampton in a Division One fixture, did not start as planned for the Canaries, who found themselves 2-0 down at half time. However, a cracking second half saw goals from Kevin Drinkell, Dale Gordon, David Williams and Steve Bruce as City ran out 4-3 winners. The attendance that day was 15,205. Draws either side of this game, away against Chelsea and Manchester City, followed by a 2-1 win against Charlton Athletic in the next home match meant a good start to the season for Norwich.

One interesting little story surrounds the clock in the original stand. It had been removed for maintenance in 1982 and was not put back in place before the fire. The time piece remained in the care of groundsman Russell Allison and was not restored to its old position high on the stand roof until the summer of 2009, by which time it had been re-named The Geoffrey Watling City Stand.

[this item was first published on the 26th March 2010]
.

City Links - Ron Ashman Lifting The League Cup

2011-12-16T06:00:00.001Z

There is a lot of fine Norwich City Football Club material on the internet and all free to be viewed. The problem is finding it in the first place. Sing Up The River End! will link you up with the best photographs and video clips on the world wide web ...............

Wouldn't it be nice to watch some footage of Norwich City lifting their first ever major Cup ? I refer of course to the 1962 League Cup Final played over two legs against Rochdale.

Well, believe it or not, you can, by clicking here :
http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/144187

To say this is a rare clip would be something of an understatement, given that so little has ever been written about the games. The competition was only in it's second year of existence in 1962, and there has been little recorded about the Final since, partly because the two teams involved were hardly household names. Programmes are still available for purchase but they too are rare and will set you back a pretty penny.

On the link you will see coverage of the Second Leg. Norwich had already won at Rochdale by three goals to nil, and in this match at Carrow Road, Jimmy Hill made the game completely safe with a neatly taken strike. The attendance was 19,708.

I found this gem on the East Anglian Film Archive website, and once you have finished watching this clip, put Norwich City FC into their search engine for more Canary content, including some lengthy footage on Ron Saunders and the Division Two winning side of 1972.

This is a great site, full of brilliant content relative to our region. The archive is funded by the University of East Anglia and used as an educational resource. There is never enough history to be found on the net, but on this site you can watch 200 hours for free. And if you ferret around for a while, some excellent stuff on Norwich City football and the Fine City in general.

For more information on the Final click here : http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.com/2010/04/league-cup-winners-1962.html
.

Norwich City History Against......Everton

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000Z

All Competitions
Norwich City 15 wins Everton 21 wins 14 draws
Norwich goals 59 Everton goals 76

Football League
Norwich City 13 wins Everton 16 wins 14 draws
Norwich goals 55 Everton goals 62

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 8 wins Everton 6 wins 7 draws
Norwich goals 28 Everton goals 25

All league games at Everton
Norwich City 5 wins Everton 10 wins 7 draws
Norwich goals 27 Everton goals 37

Cup Football
Norwich City 2 wins Everton 5 wins 0 draws
Norwich goals 4 Everton goals 14

As is the case with a few other opponents, the first clash in the series came in the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital Cup. Everton, who had just finished the season as the third best team in the land, came to the Nest for the annual charity match on the 30th of April 1907. The final score was 1-1, with an exceptional attendance of 9,500.

Everton were founder members of the Football League in 1888-89, winning the championship for the first time in 1890-91. They have had an extraordinary record in top flight football, spending a record 108 seasons at the top. Their only periods in the second level were the single season of 1930-31, and a three year period between 1951 and 1954 - all seasons when Norwich were in the third level. Therefore all league clashes with Norwich City have taken place in Division One or the Premier League, the first being on the 12th of August 1972, the very first day the Canaries themselves played in the top flight. Over 25,000 packed into Carrow Road, the home supporters fuelled by a heady mixture of excitement and intrepidation. As it turned out, the team held their own on the day - Jimmy Bone netting the club's first ever Division One goal in a 1-1 draw. In the return fixture the following April, David Cross scored twice in the first half, but Everton fought back for a 2-2 draw.

The next season saw Norwich relegated, with the Toffees winning both games, 3-1 at Carrow Road ( a dreadful City performance that saw the exit of Ron Saunders before the weekend was out) and 4-1 at Goodison Park. The clubs also met in the 3rd Round of the League Cup that season. Another David Cross goal settled the tie 1-0 for City's first ever win over Everton, and at Goodison Park to boot. Upon their immediate return to Division One the following year, the Canaries achieved their first league win in history over Everton, 4-2 at Carrow Road. Ted MacDougall hit a hat-trick and Colin Suggett obliged with the other. Both sides ended the campaign in mid table. The remainder of the seventies were largely even stevens. A highlight for City was the opening game of the 1979-80 season. Justin Fashanu scored twice at Goodison Park as Norwich triumphed 4-2 (Martin Peters and Mick McGuire got the others).

1984-85 proved to be a season of mixed fortunes for the two clubs, and led to much bitterness as far as the Canaries were concerned. Everton ended the term as English champions, though they took a 4-2 beating at Carrow Road along the way. Norwich meantime lifted the League Cup, but their Division One form stuttered as a result, with just two wins coming in the last twelve matches. However relegation seemed to have been avoided in City's final match with a win at Chelsea. Coventry City still had three matches to play after the end of the season and needed a maximum nine point return to send the Canaries down. The last of these was at home to the champions Everton, who had also reached the final of the European Cup Winner's Cup. On a Sunday lunchtime, two weeks after Norwich's season had ended, Everton sent what was largely a second team to Highfield Road, lost 4-1 with a totally insipid performance, and Norwich were out of the top flight. The repercussions of the fiasco would ultimately lead to rulings on all teams finishing fixtures on the same day, and the fielding of understrength teams.

Norwich bounced back after just one season out of the top flight. With supporters justifiably holding a grudge over Everton, they suffered even further as the Canaries lost four league clashes to the Toffees on the bounce. By the early nineties however, City had turned a corner in the series, the last Division One clash between the teams ended in a 4-3 Norwich win at Carrow Road in 1992. Darren Beckford scored three times, and Rob Newman hit the other. The following year the Premier League was founded, and Norwich remained unbeaten in the first five matches played in the series. The sequence included two wins at Goodison Park - the second a brilliant 5-1 win in which Efan Ekoku scored four times, the first player to do so in the Premier League. A short while later Everton offered Mike Walker a substantial pay rise to take his services to Goodison Park, leaving the Canaries, arguably at their peak in history, managerless.

Norwich lost their top flight status in 1994-95, and so the next league clashes had to wait until their single season return to the Premier League in 2004-05, when Everton duly completed the double. Relegation followed for the Canaries at the end of the campaign and the team did not meet again in the league until 2011. Everton salvaged a late point at Goodison Park after Grant Holt had given Norwich a first half lead.

Seven cup matches have been contested in history. After that first League Cup victory, the sides met again in that competition in 1986, with Everton comfortably winning 4-1 at Carrow Road. The first ever FA Cup meeting did not occur until 1989, in the semi final at Villa Park. Norwich played poorly and lost by a single goal. There was much disappointment as the supporters left the ground, though this soon evaporated as the full horror of events at the other semi final at Hillsborough unfolded. Two FA Cup matches have been played since, with Everton winning both, 5-0 in 1995 and 3-1 in 2004. The clubs also took part in the Super Cup in 1985 - a competition launched for the six clubs denied entry into Europe following the Heysel disaster. Both games ended in 1-0 home wins.

Everton FC were formed long before Norwich City, in 1878 and were originally known as St Domingo's. They have been English champions on nine occasions (the last being 1987), and won the FA Cup five times. They won the European Cup Winner's Cup in 1985, fielding their strongest team.

Men with connections to both clubs include Jimmy Hill, Joe Royle, James Vaughan and Ross Jack.

To see what part Everton have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility in the side bar.

Most recent games
17 Dec 2011 (Premier League) Everton 1 Norwich City 1
2 Feb 2005 (Premier League) Everton 1 Norwich City 0
23 Oct 2004 (Premier League) Norwich City 2 Everton 3
3 Jan 2004 (FA Cup) Everton 3 Norwich City 1
18 Feb 1995 (FA Cup) Everton 5 Norwich City 0
4 Feb 1995 (Premier League) Everton 2 Norwich City 1
5 Nov 1994 (Premier League) Norwich City 0 Everton 0

pictured : Ross Jack, who joined Norwich in 1979 from Everton, for £20,000

Soccer USA - Mick McGuire, Jim Fleeting, Davie Robb, Graham Paddon - 1978

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000Z

The American soccer season dovetailed well with the requirements of British clubs. Players could fly off to warmer climes in April and return to their Football League duties in August. In 1978, three Canaries, Mick McGuire, Jim Fleeting and Graham Paddon all did just that, and brought a star striker back with them for City's next campaign.

Their destination was Tampa Bay Rowdies, whose home was 'The Big Sombrero'. The North American Soccer League was more about razzmatazz than digging out three points on a winter's afternoon, and the Rowdies, inspired for many years by the legendary Rodney Marsh, provided an excellent base for our players. Paddon of course had plenty of silky skills to bring to the party, and this trip to America came during his second spell with City. McGuire, who played over 200 games for Norwich, was a more functional midfielder, versatile too in that he could carry out a number of different roles. He always had a battling attitude and good pass. Fleeting, a centre half, appeared only twice for Norwich, both prior to his summer in Tampa, and he left Carrow Road the following February.

In 1978, the Rowdies won the Eastern Division under head coach Gordon Jago, the former QPR and Millwall manager, finishing ahead of New England Tea Men in the division. They beat Chicago Sting 3-1 in the play-offs and then San Diego Sockers in the Conference semi final. A win over Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the Conference Championships set up a final (Soccer Bowl) with New York Cosmos, but the Rowdies went down 3-1 at the Giants Stadium.

Davie Robb scored 16 goals that season, his second with the Rowdies, and the former Scottish international, who had made his reputation at Aberdeen, joined Norwich a month after the NASL competition finished. But his time with the Canaries proved to be an unhappy one ( just five appearances), and the next summer he returned to America and played for three different franchises between 1979 and 1980.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies played in the North American Soccer League for ten seasons between 1975 and 1984, and won the Soccer Bowl just once, in that first season. They were runners up for the second consecutive year in 1979. When the NASL folded in 1984, the Rowdies continued to play indoor soccer but finally folded in 1993. In 2008 the name reappeared following the emergence of FC Tampa Bay Rowdies, though commercial rights issues meant the Rowdies part had to be dropped before they ever kicked a ball in organised competitions.
.

Remember When.............

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000Z

....................you could wait until after 2 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon before deciding on a trip to Carrow Road

There was a time when going to a football match was not a major logistical operation. In fact, if you lived in the city itself or the suburbs, you could leave it until the last minute, before rushing down to Carrow Road to watch the game. No tickets were issued. You paid your admission money at the gate. And we had a regular and efficient public transport system. The bus stop was less than two minutes from our house, and the double deckers ran every twenty minutes or so. I can remember one Saturday, as a mid teenager, when I had decided to give the Canaries a miss. I watched Football Focus as always, and started to wonder whether I should go after all. But no, it was cold, and it looked like rain was not far away. Grandstand had table tennis and some hockey highlights on offer, before the second half of a Rugby League match. World of Sport consisted of racing from Kempton Park, then of course, wrestling, from Middlesbrough Town Hall. No, I was not going. At ten past two, I could resist no longer. Grabbing my parka and my green and yellow scarf on the way out, I ran to the bus stop. ‘Thought you weren’t going this week’ shouted my mum. ‘On The Ball, City’ I sang back.

It took until twenty five to three to get to Bank Plain. I ran the length of Prince of Wales Road, then trotted along Riverside Road, as I tired, to the ground. There were long queues at every turnstile at the River End. I fought my way to a decent spot on the terrace about three minutes before big ‘Dunc’ led the boys out. Bugger, I had forgotten to buy a programme. And the rain had started so I was going to get wet through. Should have gone in the Barclay.

It was not my preferred way for a day out at the football. For much of my earlier life I had been one of those that would arrive two hours before kick off. But it did prove that I could not resist temptation. The only thing I can’t remember now, is why I would not have been going in the first place.

[This series is dedicated to Canary fans who went to Carrow Road in the 1970's. You know who you are!]
.

First & Last - Sam Bell

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000Z

First game : 6th September 1930 versus QPR home Division Three South 1-1 draw

Last game : 21st April 1934 versus Coventry City home Division Three South 3-1 win

Signed from : Burnhope Institute (Durham Central League)
Next club : Luton Town
Played professionally : until 1946
.

Born This Week

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000Z

. December 12th (Today)

Roger Brown ~ in 1952 in Tamworth

. December 13th

David Fox ~ in 1983 in Stoke on Trent

Rob Newman ~ in 1963 in Bradford on Avon, Wilts

Greg Downs ~ in 1958 in Carlton, Notts

Glenn Roeder ~ in 1955 in Woodford, Essex

Len Dolding ~ in 1922 in Nundydroog, India

. December 14th

Andy Rollings ~ in 1954 in Portishead, Bristol

. December 15th

Elliott Omozusi ~ in 1988 in Hackney

Davie Robb ~ in 1947 in Broughty Ferry, Angus

. December 16th

Dennis Van Wijk ~ in 1962 in Oostzaan, Holland

Jack Vinall ~ in 1910 in Birmingham

Duggie Lochhead ~ in 1904 in Partick, Glasgow

. December 17th

Dean Sinclair ~ in 1984 in Luton

Kevin Scott ~ in 1966 in Easington, Co Durham

John Bond ~ in 1932 in Dedham, nr Colchester

James Stoakes ~ in 1895 in Newark

Percy Barnfather ~ in 1879 in Newcastle Upon Tyne

. December 18th

Elliott Bennett ~ in 1988 in Telford

Phil Lythgoe ~ in 1959 in Norwich

Clive Woods ~ in 1947 in Norwich

Tommy Allsopp ~ in 1880 in Leicester

[This feature is produced weekly and posted on Sing Up The River End! every Monday]

Wartime Norwich City 1939 - 1941

2011-12-11T06:00:00.000Z

I am speaking to you from the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street. This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final note stating that, unless we hear from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany. Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister, 3rd September 1939

The 1939-40 Football League season had already started. Norwich City had been relegated from Division Two at the end of the previous campaign, finding themselves back in Division Three South. Just three matches had been completed - a 2-1 defeat at Carrow Road to Cardiff City, a 2-1 win at Bristol City, and a 1-1 away draw with Ipswich Town in the first ever East Anglian derby in the Football League. On the 14th of September the Government announced that the league would be abandoned. Statistics from the matches already played were expunged from the records.

Instead, matches were organised on a regional basis, and all deemed as friendlies, so again are not included in any club or player statistics. Many footballers joined the forces - some going abroad to fight, some being stationed in this country.

Clubs invited guest players to represent them. Most famous for Norwich City was the appearance of Bill Shankly in three matches, though he secured anonymity by using the name 'A.Newman'.

In 1939-40, Norwich played in sections A and D of the regional league, opposition clubs all came from the south of England. Bob Young once more took up the reins of manager.

Crowds for these matches were typically between 1,000 and 5,000. The Government believed football brought welcome relief to war workers. And in 1939-40 the nation was still in the period known as 'the phoney war'.

On the 11th of November 1939, Arsenal visited Carrow Road and 11,200 attended. It was believed to be the first five figure gate in wartime football in England.

In 1940-41, thirty four clubs took part in the Southern section. However, the league programme was not organised. A table was produced using an average points score as it was known not all clubs would play each other.

Clubs found travelling to matches difficult. Trains did not always run on time, if at all. Players sometimes had to call off at short notice. And air raid sirens could sound at any moment.

Norwich played West Ham United in a 1940-41 Football League War Cup competition, losing 5-3 on aggregate.

On Christmas Day 1940, Brighton & Hove Albion came to Carrow Road. They were short of players, so Norwich lent them some. The match finished in an 18-0 win for the Canaries.