The Canaries.
Norwich City; a football team located in the East of England; a football team in the county of Norfolk; a football team that, lest we forget, got relegated into the third tier of English football for the first time in 50 years, but with a new manager appointed and one of the most tremendous comebacks of all time, they are living the dream in the highest tier of English Football. And in case you didn’t know, that is the English Premier League. A change of hands, several late winners and back-to-back promotions can pretty much tell the tale of Norwich City. Four seasons ago, a 7-1 defeat to Colchester United and who would have thought this story would be told?
If relegation to the third tier of English Football hadn’t hit the “Yellow Army” of Norwich City yet, a 7-1 defeat to start of the season against Colchester United and then manager, Paul Lambert, certainly did. The start of the season could definitely be called an “off day” and showed City’s underestimation of League One, but one thing it did teach City was that hard work started now and that they wouldn’t be giving up without a fight. 13 players stayed at City whilst many of the team that saw relegation left to stay in the higher division or even move countries. 15 new players joined the team in 2009/10 season including striker, Grant Holt, and defenders, Russell Martin and Zak Whitbread - three players who had no idea what joining Norwich City would lead to.
In 2009, the home to Charlton Athletic, The Valley, was the place where Norwich saw relegation. But in 2010, a visit to Charlton Athletic’s ground for Norwich meant another outcome. To those 13 remaining players, déjà vu could’ve arrived but there was no chance of it. A 34th minute headed goal was all Norwich needed to secure promotion. It wasn’t just any game that secured promotion. A place where they saw relegation the season before was the same place that saw Norwich City promoted. How ironic? A switch from Bryan Gunn to Paul Lambert, a wakeup call from a 7-1 defeat and a realisation of an ambition. They all counted towards something people, including the club, would call “the impossible”. Norwich City was about to discover “the impossible” was far from it.
Nine players out, ten players in. Defeat again started off the season for City, followed by late winners at Scunthorpe United and Swansea City. The late winners made it far from safe whilst watching Norwich by making every fan and staff member sit on the edge of their seats, but they clearly paid off.And they certainly paid off against Derby County. Celebrations had already started at Loftus Road when City was seen drawing 2-2 at Carrow Road, but a twist in the tale saw Simeon Jackson score a hat-trick, causing a halt to the QPR celebrations. With the news being revealed, shock and, maybe,embarrassment ran through the veins at Loftus Road, but all City could do was celebrate as they ruined their promotion rivals’ party.
Norwich City’s season saw two tremendous wins to rivals Ipswich Town. A 4-1 victory at Carrow Road with Grant Holt scoring his first hat-trick and then 5-1 victory at Portman Road definitely felt like an accomplished season already.
On the 2nd of May 2011, City watched as Middlesbrough won 3-0 against City’s promotion rivals, Cardiff City. All City had to do was win. A 50th minute headed goal sealed promotion at Fratton Park and an unforgettable evening match that was. “Celebrations galore”, you could call it. Ten of the new players (on loan and bought) were in the matchday 16 and watched Norwich City claim promotion. Also in the match day 16 were three players who had seen not only seen promotion but relegation in the space of 3 years. Out of 29 players (not including loanees), 8 were able to witness their team to be promoted into the highest tier of English Football after a relegation. It was a special feeling, something many of those who left to avoid playing in League One missed. To Paul Lambert, it was “a miracle, an absolute miracle” that had been created. The manager who watched his team, Colchester United, win 7-1 against Norwich City, to become that lucky manager watching and guiding Norwich City to achieve “an absolute miracle”.
And now the “miracle” that anyone (players, manager, staff and fans) involved in the club is able to witness.
In 2004-05 season, Norwich City spent their first season in the English Premier League since nine years ago, however, they only managed one season and were relegated immediately. Six years later, Norwich City were back and this time they were going to make sure they fought till the end. Six players remain with City since relegation and13 players remain from League One. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say Norwich City have pretty much gone un-noticed in the Premier League. They have purely just got on with their jobs.
Promotion teams along with City, QPR and Swansea are completely different. QPR immediately bought the big names such as Anton Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton. Swansea have been complimented for their own style of football. And Norwich? Ten additions from last year who all, apart from three, have played no higher than Championship football. The style of football is pretty much to play football. So what have Norwich City brought to the Premier League?
First of all, Norwich City have brought English players to the top flight. Remarkably, City’s entire starting XI who played and beat Tottenham Hotspur were born in England. Who said English successes only come from the top six? They have also simply brought a game of football to the Premier League. Just look at the results. It took time to start off the season with City having to wait five games for their first win but as soon as it came, it was hard to look back from there. A shock draw where Liverpool were certain favourites for a win, tight games where the likes of Man United and Arsenal struggled to break down the newcomers to the Premier League. A 4-2 victory on their home ground against Newcastle United, another draw where Chelsea were favourites and recently, a standout victory against Tottenham Hotspur. Norwich City’s success has raised questions to be asked. Unlike most teams in the Premier League, have City been that team who have just got on with it instead of set off headlines? Are they that team everyone underestimated? And also the big question, who is Grant Holt? And where has he been all this time?
Grant Holt, a 31 year old striker and Norwich City’s number nine. Like most clubs, the number nine shirt is worn by purely strikers including big names like Alan Shearer, Ronaldo, Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres, Andy Carroll and Papiss Cisse. So is he a “true number 9”? Is he worthy of that number shirt? Starting off his career at his hometown club, Carlisle United, Holt was released and joined Workington. Often switching from clubs, Holt played for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale, Nottingham Forest and Blackpool. But in 2008, Holt made his biggest breakthrough to date when he joined Shrewsbury Town. Scoring 20 goals in 43 games and being made Player of the Year, he was definitely noticed by clubs.Holt’s first season at Norwich City was a definite success with the striker scoring 24 in 39 league games. This was then followed up by 21 goals in 44 appearances in the Championship including his first career hat-trick against local rivals, Ipswich Town. No wonder he was made “Player of the Year”two years running. Holt’s first season in the top flight has seen him score 13 goals in 20 starts and 11 appearances from the bench. After goals against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Man United, Holt has opened many eyes of Premier League opponents and has become a threat to be wary of. He has become the 2nd highest English Premier League top goal scorer behind Wayne Rooney for the 11/12 season and questions have been asked whether Grant Holt should be considered for representing his country. With many having opinions on this topic, all Grant Holt can do is wait and see. Although he failed to score against Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Redknapp has told the press how impressed he was with Holt by saying “I thought their front two, especially Grant Holt, bullied us”. Opinions have spread and divided many. The main opinion is the fact that Grant Holt plays for Norwich City, and that’s why he will not get a look in.
And now seeing that season finish, Norwich City sat comfortably in the top flight for the first time in six years and there were no signs on a repeat of the 2004/05 season as they made sure another season in the league was guaranteed. They ended the season in 12th position due to goal difference, but could have ended at least 10th as both West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City were on the same amount of points. As for QPR, they proved that maybe money and big names mean an unbeatable team as they were saved by the last minute of the season and being one point away from relegation.
After Norwich’s tremendous run for the past 3 seasons, the fourth meant change. Paul Lambert’s success raised eyebrows and by June, Lambert was confirmed manager of Aston Villa. Succeeding from Lambert, City saw ex- Spurs player and Newcastle manager Chris Hughton arrive at Carrow Road to take up yet another challenge.
Bringing in six new players and two loan players, Hughton is keen to do justice and repay the faith given by the board. It’s taken two months for the Canaries to experience their first win and recover from being battered against Fulham, Liverpool and Chelsea. But Hughton witnessed his team win against the Gunners as Grant Holt scored the all-important goal. This surprising win has recently set Norwich City on an unbeaten run as they have since picked up four points in two games, along with a victory against Tottenham Hotspur as they turned the result around from 1-0 down to score their famous late winners from a player famous for scoring the important goals, Simeon Jackson.
And now I come to an end. Norwich City has probably proved more than just the bookies wrong. They came across weak but ended up strong. And for yet another season in the top flight, the Canaries expected nothing more than just securing a place in the top flight for the third year running. Norwich City has taken to the top flight their own way, they’ve proved that football isn’t about the money or the press and taken the advantage of being the underdogs. It’s about an underestimated team, anoverlooked team opening the eyes of opponents and doing well. It’s about a team wanting to do what they love especially those from lower leagues experiencing their first or second year in the top flight. They won’t become the next Man United or Barcelona, and Grant Holt won’t become the next Mario Balotelli or Wayne Rooney. They are just that “little” team situated in the East of England, in that “little” county of Norfolk, living the dream and seeing where they end up. They are Norwich City, playing their 110thyear of football, scoring late winners and making history with one of the most tremendous comeback of all time. God knows what’s to come in the coming season.
By Emma James (@ems9612)
If relegation to the third tier of English Football hadn’t hit the “Yellow Army” of Norwich City yet, a 7-1 defeat to start of the season against Colchester United and then manager, Paul Lambert, certainly did. The start of the season could definitely be called an “off day” and showed City’s underestimation of League One, but one thing it did teach City was that hard work started now and that they wouldn’t be giving up without a fight. 13 players stayed at City whilst many of the team that saw relegation left to stay in the higher division or even move countries. 15 new players joined the team in 2009/10 season including striker, Grant Holt, and defenders, Russell Martin and Zak Whitbread - three players who had no idea what joining Norwich City would lead to.
In 2009, the home to Charlton Athletic, The Valley, was the place where Norwich saw relegation. But in 2010, a visit to Charlton Athletic’s ground for Norwich meant another outcome. To those 13 remaining players, déjà vu could’ve arrived but there was no chance of it. A 34th minute headed goal was all Norwich needed to secure promotion. It wasn’t just any game that secured promotion. A place where they saw relegation the season before was the same place that saw Norwich City promoted. How ironic? A switch from Bryan Gunn to Paul Lambert, a wakeup call from a 7-1 defeat and a realisation of an ambition. They all counted towards something people, including the club, would call “the impossible”. Norwich City was about to discover “the impossible” was far from it.
Nine players out, ten players in. Defeat again started off the season for City, followed by late winners at Scunthorpe United and Swansea City. The late winners made it far from safe whilst watching Norwich by making every fan and staff member sit on the edge of their seats, but they clearly paid off.And they certainly paid off against Derby County. Celebrations had already started at Loftus Road when City was seen drawing 2-2 at Carrow Road, but a twist in the tale saw Simeon Jackson score a hat-trick, causing a halt to the QPR celebrations. With the news being revealed, shock and, maybe,embarrassment ran through the veins at Loftus Road, but all City could do was celebrate as they ruined their promotion rivals’ party.
Norwich City’s season saw two tremendous wins to rivals Ipswich Town. A 4-1 victory at Carrow Road with Grant Holt scoring his first hat-trick and then 5-1 victory at Portman Road definitely felt like an accomplished season already.
On the 2nd of May 2011, City watched as Middlesbrough won 3-0 against City’s promotion rivals, Cardiff City. All City had to do was win. A 50th minute headed goal sealed promotion at Fratton Park and an unforgettable evening match that was. “Celebrations galore”, you could call it. Ten of the new players (on loan and bought) were in the matchday 16 and watched Norwich City claim promotion. Also in the match day 16 were three players who had seen not only seen promotion but relegation in the space of 3 years. Out of 29 players (not including loanees), 8 were able to witness their team to be promoted into the highest tier of English Football after a relegation. It was a special feeling, something many of those who left to avoid playing in League One missed. To Paul Lambert, it was “a miracle, an absolute miracle” that had been created. The manager who watched his team, Colchester United, win 7-1 against Norwich City, to become that lucky manager watching and guiding Norwich City to achieve “an absolute miracle”.
And now the “miracle” that anyone (players, manager, staff and fans) involved in the club is able to witness.
In 2004-05 season, Norwich City spent their first season in the English Premier League since nine years ago, however, they only managed one season and were relegated immediately. Six years later, Norwich City were back and this time they were going to make sure they fought till the end. Six players remain with City since relegation and13 players remain from League One. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say Norwich City have pretty much gone un-noticed in the Premier League. They have purely just got on with their jobs.
Promotion teams along with City, QPR and Swansea are completely different. QPR immediately bought the big names such as Anton Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton. Swansea have been complimented for their own style of football. And Norwich? Ten additions from last year who all, apart from three, have played no higher than Championship football. The style of football is pretty much to play football. So what have Norwich City brought to the Premier League?
First of all, Norwich City have brought English players to the top flight. Remarkably, City’s entire starting XI who played and beat Tottenham Hotspur were born in England. Who said English successes only come from the top six? They have also simply brought a game of football to the Premier League. Just look at the results. It took time to start off the season with City having to wait five games for their first win but as soon as it came, it was hard to look back from there. A shock draw where Liverpool were certain favourites for a win, tight games where the likes of Man United and Arsenal struggled to break down the newcomers to the Premier League. A 4-2 victory on their home ground against Newcastle United, another draw where Chelsea were favourites and recently, a standout victory against Tottenham Hotspur. Norwich City’s success has raised questions to be asked. Unlike most teams in the Premier League, have City been that team who have just got on with it instead of set off headlines? Are they that team everyone underestimated? And also the big question, who is Grant Holt? And where has he been all this time?
Grant Holt, a 31 year old striker and Norwich City’s number nine. Like most clubs, the number nine shirt is worn by purely strikers including big names like Alan Shearer, Ronaldo, Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres, Andy Carroll and Papiss Cisse. So is he a “true number 9”? Is he worthy of that number shirt? Starting off his career at his hometown club, Carlisle United, Holt was released and joined Workington. Often switching from clubs, Holt played for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale, Nottingham Forest and Blackpool. But in 2008, Holt made his biggest breakthrough to date when he joined Shrewsbury Town. Scoring 20 goals in 43 games and being made Player of the Year, he was definitely noticed by clubs.Holt’s first season at Norwich City was a definite success with the striker scoring 24 in 39 league games. This was then followed up by 21 goals in 44 appearances in the Championship including his first career hat-trick against local rivals, Ipswich Town. No wonder he was made “Player of the Year”two years running. Holt’s first season in the top flight has seen him score 13 goals in 20 starts and 11 appearances from the bench. After goals against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Man United, Holt has opened many eyes of Premier League opponents and has become a threat to be wary of. He has become the 2nd highest English Premier League top goal scorer behind Wayne Rooney for the 11/12 season and questions have been asked whether Grant Holt should be considered for representing his country. With many having opinions on this topic, all Grant Holt can do is wait and see. Although he failed to score against Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Redknapp has told the press how impressed he was with Holt by saying “I thought their front two, especially Grant Holt, bullied us”. Opinions have spread and divided many. The main opinion is the fact that Grant Holt plays for Norwich City, and that’s why he will not get a look in.
And now seeing that season finish, Norwich City sat comfortably in the top flight for the first time in six years and there were no signs on a repeat of the 2004/05 season as they made sure another season in the league was guaranteed. They ended the season in 12th position due to goal difference, but could have ended at least 10th as both West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City were on the same amount of points. As for QPR, they proved that maybe money and big names mean an unbeatable team as they were saved by the last minute of the season and being one point away from relegation.
After Norwich’s tremendous run for the past 3 seasons, the fourth meant change. Paul Lambert’s success raised eyebrows and by June, Lambert was confirmed manager of Aston Villa. Succeeding from Lambert, City saw ex- Spurs player and Newcastle manager Chris Hughton arrive at Carrow Road to take up yet another challenge.
Bringing in six new players and two loan players, Hughton is keen to do justice and repay the faith given by the board. It’s taken two months for the Canaries to experience their first win and recover from being battered against Fulham, Liverpool and Chelsea. But Hughton witnessed his team win against the Gunners as Grant Holt scored the all-important goal. This surprising win has recently set Norwich City on an unbeaten run as they have since picked up four points in two games, along with a victory against Tottenham Hotspur as they turned the result around from 1-0 down to score their famous late winners from a player famous for scoring the important goals, Simeon Jackson.
And now I come to an end. Norwich City has probably proved more than just the bookies wrong. They came across weak but ended up strong. And for yet another season in the top flight, the Canaries expected nothing more than just securing a place in the top flight for the third year running. Norwich City has taken to the top flight their own way, they’ve proved that football isn’t about the money or the press and taken the advantage of being the underdogs. It’s about an underestimated team, anoverlooked team opening the eyes of opponents and doing well. It’s about a team wanting to do what they love especially those from lower leagues experiencing their first or second year in the top flight. They won’t become the next Man United or Barcelona, and Grant Holt won’t become the next Mario Balotelli or Wayne Rooney. They are just that “little” team situated in the East of England, in that “little” county of Norfolk, living the dream and seeing where they end up. They are Norwich City, playing their 110thyear of football, scoring late winners and making history with one of the most tremendous comeback of all time. God knows what’s to come in the coming season.
By Emma James (@ems9612)