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Russell finds inspiration in City’s Fan of the Year as Norwich’s D-Day looms ever larger

2nd May 2009 By Latest News Leave a Comment

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City midfielder Darel Russell was hoping that the players could find inspiration in Aviva Supporter of the Year Ian Ketteringham.

The 21-year-old lost his sight last year through a rare genetic disorder and yet has still renewed his Carrow Road season ticket – if only to soak up the match-day sounds that surround his beloved Canaries.

A special guest at Wednesday night's Player of the Season dinner, he was escorted onto the stage to receive his award by Canary chief Bryan Gunn.

For the watching Russell there was all the inspiration he needed ahead of tomorrow's trip to The Valley where Norwich's Championship fate awaits.

Even a victory over the long-doomed Addicks will not be enough to seal City's survival. Away in the West Country and Barnsley have to nick just a point off Plymouth to condemn the Norfolk side to the drop.

Tomorrow will not be for the faint of heart – which is why one supporter's fortitude in the face of such adversity ought to act as an inspiration for all concerned.

“At the Player of the Season dinner we had in the week and I saw the fan that had renewed his season ticket and he was blind,” said Russell, whose long-standing connections with the Canaries makes him more in tune with the feelings of the fans than most.

“And I was astounded,” added te 28-year-old. “Sometimes you meet special people and I think he fully deserved his award for being the Fan of the Year. It's a special person that has to do that.

“He won't be able to see what goes on on the pitch, but he's renewed his season ticket because he loves the atmosphere at Carrow Road.

“And that's testament to the fans there. It just shows the spirit around the club. And from that point of view it was very enlightening for us and, hopefully, we can use that energy for Sunday.”

City will need every piece of inspiration they can find for the game of their lives. With little more than pride to play for after long being condemned to the drop, Phil Parkinson's side can simply go out and play tomorrow. The pressure is all on the Canaries to somehow dig out a huge result – even then, of course, a Plymouth no-show could still send them falling headlong into the abyss.

So, on the eve of battle how was Russell feeling?

“Anxious,” he said, simply.

“Obviously it's an extremely big game and it's one of those where you just want to get it started.

“You don't really want to be hanging round the rest of the week to get it going because that tension builds up as time goes on – so I'd like to get it here as soon as possible.”

Whether the 3,300 City supporters that will be making the trip to The Valley tomorrow share that feeling is another matter; for many, tomorrow is a day that they hoped would never come as Norwich face up to the prospect of following the likes of Leeds United and Leicester City into the uncharted waters of League One. The only saving grace is that they haven't got the ten-point penalty that Southampton will 'enjoy' next season.

Would he want to know the score from Home Park?

“If Plymouth are winning and we're winning, then we might get the instruction to tighten down the hatches and not do so much attacking,” he suggested.

“And, obviously, if it's the opposite then we might need to throw a bit more at it.

“I think the Gaffer has got someone watching the game down at Plymouth as well. And, obviously, it does have an effect on the way that you play because it is a very big game and a big situation.”

It was all wing and a prayer time. City can turn on the style – as they proved twice against newly-crowned champions Wolves. But they can sweep all before them at The Valley, but if the Pilgrims are already feet up and off to the beach, so Norwich will be off to Yeovil next season.

“It's the last game and we've just got to hope that Plymouth can do something. We scored five great goals against Wolves and I think that someone said in the week that we've scored more goals this season than Birmingham which I was amazed at hearing.

“We've been close, but we just haven't managed to make it click this year and it's costing us at this minute in time.”

It'll cost them very, very dear come three o'clock tomorrow if Lady Luck hasn't shone on Gunn & Co.

Everyone will have different figures as to what that cost will be, but the likelihood of the club being able to re-sign the Lee Crofts or the Alan Lees of this world, let alone fend off any interest in a Sammy Clingan look next to nil.

The stage will belong to the kids – and the 'Luton Two' of Michael Spillane and Chrissy Martin.

“It's one last roll of the dice,” said Russell. “It's a situation that's out of our hands to a certain extent. We can go and try and get the result, but winning a game of football is not easy – no matter how much you need it or want it.

“We've just got to try and approach it in the right way and, fingers crossed, get the rub of the green.”


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