For some, it will be the first time that City's new divisional status has 'kicked in'. But for Bryan Gunn and his troops, today's fixture list announcement will herald the start of the rebuilding process and it's a local derby of sorts first up ? Colchester United at Carrow Road.
It will be a start that pleases the City coaching team ? after all, the Canaries have been on their travels more often than not in recent seasons ? and a clash with their East Anglian neighbours, in front of what should be a healthy August 8th crowd, will be one to relish.
With the additions of Matt Gill and former Swansea man Owain Tudur Jones, the seeds of optimism have slowly been planted and with a few more arrivals in the close season and a winning start to their League One campaign, hopefully the dismal 2008-09 season can make way for a brighter 2009-10 campaign.
“We're delighted to be starting with a local derby against Colchester United at Carrow Road,” Canary boss Gunn told the club's official website this morning.
“Hopefully it will be a sell-out crowd at Carrow Road and the fans can roar us on to a winning start. A good start is vital.”
The next three fixtures after the Col U opener make for interesting reading also, with all three clubs promoted from League Two facing the Norfolk side.
New arrival Gill faces a swift return to Devon with Exeter City hosting the Canaries on Saturday August 15th and it is then a midweek trip to Brentford before a Carrow Road clash with Gary Holt's Wycombe on the 22nd.
“We play all three of the sides promoted from League Two at the start and that will be a good challenge,” Gunn continued. “You would expect those sides to be buoyant coming off the back of successful seasons.”
For me, that will be the acid test for Gunn and Co. If City are not on their game, then they are going to get a short, sharp shock and a wakeup call as to what awaits them.
However, matching them stride for stride and showing enough fight to take points from those fixtures will send a message out to the rest of the division ? the revamped Canaries mean business.
The start of the season is so, so crucial and it will prove to be so more than ever this season. With supporters' emotions still raw after relegation from the Championship, it won't take much to push them over the edge.
But a positive start will have fans believing that the rebuilding process is under way and the Gunn era can be a successful one.
Elsewhere, the computer has thrown up a few more intriguing encounters, none more so that a Boxing Day clash with Millwall at Carrow Road.
City supporters will at least be glad to be on terra firma over Christmas after recent trips to Selhurst Park over the festive period.
Leeds United is probably the only 'glamour tie' for Canary fans and they don't have to wait long for a trip to Elland Road with Gunn's men making the trek north on October 17th. The return fixture is Saturday March 27th.
The run in seems to favour Norwich also with two of the last three fixtures in Norfolk ? Gillingham and Carlisle United on the last day. Sandwiched in-between that is a trip to last year's League One strugglers Bristol Rovers.
The Canary support will be hoping that those last two home fixtures will be the venue for a promotion party and in a rallying call to the Norfolk public, Gunn said: “Our support home and away is going to be a crucial factor for us this season.
“Our home form needs to improve dramatically and a buzzing Carrow Road will definitely increase the chances of that happening.
“Meanwhile we've been fortunate enough to enjoy fantastic support from a really loyal band of travelling fans despite some poor seasons on the road – again, they will be a massive help for us during this campaign.”
Tom Haylett
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