The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits
are so much easier to give up than bad ones
Somerset Maugham
I’ve renewed my season ticket. The reason is pretty basic: going to Carrow Road to support my team is part of my life. Maybe a bad habit; quite possibly, an addiction.
It’s not that I don’t understand others’ reservations, or doubt the genuine nature of their support. I won’t criticize anyone who decides not to renew.
Having said that, some of the arguments we’ve heard against renewing seem to me stronger than others.
Some won’t renew (or at least are considering it) because the current regime at Norwich doesn’t inspire confidence that they’ll bring success to us. I understand that feeling and sympathise with much of it. As we’ve discussed, failing to sack Alex Neil back in November or December seems to me a decision clearly at odds with the Board’s stated commitment to promotion.
To be fed up and disillusioned with much of what we’ve seen this season is not unreasonable.
I’m less persuaded by other arguments, including the view that in renewing our season tickets we’re lining Delia and Michael’s pockets. The Stowmarket Two have put far more into the club than I could ever conceive of doing.
Yes, their formal long-term loan to the club was finally repaid last summer. As I understand it, they’ve never taken interest or dividends from anything they’ve put in, so the money has lost considerable value over time – especially compared to other ways they could have used it.
Nor is that loan, or their shareholding, the only financial contribution they’ve made to Norwich City. Not to mention the time they’ve given to it – far more than other football club owners, many of whom would also (unlike them) want payment for it.
I certainly don’t exempt them from criticism, either for past decisions or current ones. Their appointment of David McNally was in recognition of, and to counteract, their inclination to sentimental decisions. Let’s hope this season isn’t seeing a return to bad old ways.
Fans’ frustration was exacerbated, of course, by Delia’s clumsy interview with The Times.
In that case I deliberately use the word ‘clumsy’. It’s my understanding that Delia and Michael have not ruled out any new external investment. What she was expressing is their frustration that the efforts of the past few years to find satisfactory investors have come to nothing. In the absence of that, they’ve developed an alternative plan.
Similarly, I don’t believe she takes some perverse pleasure from going against the wishes of fans. One comment seemed to imply it, but it would go against all other evidence – both direct and indirect – that I’ve ever seen.
Some seem to think that the Board doesn’t grasp fans’ feelings at all. By not renewing, the message would be sent loud-and-clear that fans don’t agree with the regime’s decisions.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the Board is well aware of fans’ feelings, and would rather go with them than against them. The situation is that the Board – rightly or wrongly – genuinely believe in their path.
On that basis they’re prepared to defy the fans’ wishes – as they did (wrongly) in keeping Nigel Worthington and Chris Hughton, and (rightly) in appointing Paul Lambert and Alex Neil.
When there’s a divide between the fans and the Board, the Board certainly isn’t always right; neither is it always wrong.
In passing, I’ve known many boards, both in football and other sectors. Some outstanding, others ropey. One thing they have in common: they all make mistakes. The difference is in how they respond.
The right way is what Norwich did over the Cup pricing: admit the mistake and try to make amends. The wrong way – and for me, it applies to their stance on Alex Neil – is to dig in their heels.
Could I ever imagine not renewing my season ticket? Actually, yes – but not now. Some are comparing the present situation to the time of Chase, Roeder or the descent to League 1. I just don’t think they really remember those times. The current Board’s decisions could be better; ditto their communications. But the rot of those times was deeper and worse.
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Coming back to the present, I’m seeing a lot of comment on social media – and indeed, some on this site – to the effect that this season is over for us.
Mathematically, that’s far from true. We stand five points off the playoff places, with 57 points left to play for. Just let that sink in for a moment.
Do we think Villa (four points below us) have given up on the season? Or even Wolves (eight points below us)?
The only reason to write off the season is that, under Alex Neil, we’ve seen no indication in recent months that the team can put together a solid run. Since the disastrous losing streak of October-November we’ve seen some good performances – but never two in a row.
That’s the only reason. Sadly of course, and frustratingly, it’s a big one. The situation’s not irretrievable, but – as fellow columnists have pointed out – it’s going to take more than one win to re-ignite our passion and belief.
Whether it happens or not, I’ll be there.
Bravo Stewart. My sentiments exactly.
That was a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m renewing too – in my case it’s a bit of an addiction with a social aspect thrown in for good measure. I would find it almost impossible not to renew.
There are many, many like me and the Board know it, more’s the pity.
These days are not as dark as those of the Chase era, agreed. Dull maybe, but the mid-to-late 1990s were pitch black.
You tend to answer a lot of your own questions. I’m surprised you’ve bought the fact they aren’t ruling out investment. Seriously? You genuinely believe the owners of Bournemouth etc weren’t weighing up the Norwich FC spec? It reads a lot better than most clubs these people have purchased. You need a better percolator. Continue to ‘enjoy’ the carra tho. Someone’s got to do it.
Happy clappy clap
I think one of the reasons that the McNally/Bowkett/Lambert years were so successful is that we lurched away from being a ‘nice’ club run by well meaning amateurs and toughened up off and on the pitch and Smith & Jones must take some credit it recognising the need for this then.If they had been interviewed at the time I don’t think they would have said that they would have aimed to poach the manager(in a notoriously underhand way) of the team that had just thrashed us.
The appointment of Moxey would be even stranger if they were really not looking for outside investment. At Stoke and Wolves (twice) huge investment was brought in during his tenure. I’m not particularly keen on selling the club with the sole intent to make it richer; Wolves spent tens of millions on players, wages, sackings and hirings following their takeover earlier this season. Birmingham spent millions sacking Rowett and his backroom team and installing Zola and look what it has done for them.Villa have had so many managers since their takeover and spent millions on players including the £12m that we wouldn’t pay for McCormack (successful bullet avoidance!) and still look a long way off getting everything right. It seems that for every Bournemouth and Leicester where investment from outside goes well, there are about 5 where it goes badly.
Jeff(3) mentions that he thinks the owners of Bournemouth were probably looking at us at the same time and he may well be right. I’m fairly certain that Tony Fernandes was looking at us at the time he ended up buying QPR and look how well that has turned out.
I think it is as naive for people to believe that no outside investment is being sought and that the board can’t see that things aren’t right and can’t hear and feel the mood the a good proportion of the fans as it is to think that every other owners are going to necessarily be better than the ones we have now.
I don’t think of myself as a happy clappy fan, but I will continue to go to Carrow Road as often as my £150.00 weekend visits from 175 miles away allow. I suspect there will be very few fans who stop going any time soon.
Thanks, guys. So far, pretty much the divide of opinion I expected.
This will sound strange, but I wish some of the negative comments were longer. I’d like to see the critics make an argument for some of things they seem to believe, such as:
. when fans and the Board don’t see eye-to-eye, the fans are always right, or
. the Board should just do what the fans want, even if it believes something else
We may hear these kind of issues debated when MPs consider how to vote on Article 50. But that’s another story….
I’ve no idea what a “happy clappy fan” is but like Don (5) I’m 200+ miles away and whilst I’ve done a day trip a couple of times it normally means an overnight stop, which starts getting expensive.
When the hat-trick scheme was introduced and later extended I signed up and have continued with Priority membership ever since; so I suppose the equivalent would be to give that up, but I shan’t. I’ve been to 3 home games this season, and might yet get there this Saturday – although there are not many seats left. The only period I was reluctant to travel was when Grant was manager, but somehow I still put up with it.
I will be surprised if many long-standing supporters give up their seats because they will remember how quickly they things can change. Ask the two who threw their season tickets in Gunn’s face during a certain notorious result a few years back.
If people think that ultimately Neil can succeed by rebuilding his squad they will sign up. If on the other hand they believe he will leave at the end of the season they will be optimistic of getting someone else in who can succeed instead. So they will sign up too.
That’s a tall order Stewart!
For starters, the first point about the fans being always right. Having been against the board stance regarding the torturous Worthington reign and its longevity, the ridiculous appointment of Gunn and subsequent reappointment that summer, the repeat of the same mistake with Adams and his reappointment, following the infamous scouring of Europe for a decent manager, I have found that disagreeing with this board usually proves one correct.
A competent board would be trusted more to make a good decision.
As for the board doing anything the fans want? Clearly that doesn’t work for any business, although the temperature of the customer base should be closely monitored and respected.
It’s a good and cathartic debate and can help the club in the long run to air these conflicting views. For the record I will be renewing all my season tickets for a variety of personal reasons; my right, my prerogative.
When Delia Smith bought Norwich city, she didn’t buy me. I have no confidence in the ownership and board of the club and no great love for it either. For me Norwich City football club is not Delia Smith or any individual.
I respect your opinion Stewart and recognise we both want the same outcome, we merely differ on the best way to achieve it,
I have renewed mine. I am deeply frustrated by relegation last year and this season’s (lack of) efforts. Nevertheless I am convinced of the commitment of Delia and the board. I would, did, support this club through much lower points than this, I will continue to support them because like so many things it’s the hope that gets you.
Look! Jeff is whining again.
Still hasn’t put his money where his mouth is, I notice.
Really interesting article Stewart and of course points from other contributors. In relation to 6, clearly the fans aren’t always right and the Board shouldn’t always do what the fans want.
Ultimately, the role of the Board is to manage and lead the club in an effective way. However, to lead the club effectively the board need to have a clear vision and strategy that everybody (players, manager, fans, business) can buy into. At the moment, fans are simply being kept out-of-the-loop; this is just poor leadership which is undermining the whole club. Like or loath McNally, he was certainly an effective leader in that he was generally happy to represent the vision and strategy of the club.
Delia may say external investment is not ruled out, but until the finances are in a horrific state again she clearly favours the cosy status quo. And who would want to share ownership and invest into The Smith’s old fashioned regime?
The Turners certainly didn’t stay long on the Board before their bust up.
No, the rot is not as bad as Chase/Roeder times, but once the parachute payments disappear it soon will be.
If attendances are significantly down next season it may hopefully shock the Board out of their current complacency.
I’d agree with the sentiment of this, but add if success and entertainment are all you’re after in order to renew, you can’t have been watching Norwich City very long! It’s not for those wanting to win all the time and hasn’t been for any of the 32 years I’ve been watching, that’s just the reality!
4. Steveclancey – what’s wrong with being happy, seems preferable to the alternative, why invest time in something that doesn’t make you happy?
As an attendee at the recent Supporters Groups Q & A with the Club, the question was asked about the 1,000,000 ordinary shares, which the Board has authority to issue, as approved at the 2010 AGM, and reapproved for a further five years in 2015.
Although having only “been in the building” since August 2016, the CEO knew little about this and the response was, “we’ll have to get back to you on that.”
Ponder that for a while and draw your own conclusions.
Thanks again for everyone’s comments. Another good discussion.
Chris (8): Your points are well made and deserve full respect.
pab (12): You may be right, but it’s not how I’ve read my (limited) direct contact with Delia and (more extensive) feedback from others who are closer to her
For me and those abroad, a ‘season ticket’ is us existing in the PL, as every PL game is televised. For us it is unlikely we’ll be seeing the team play in any regularity before late 2018.
I’m still going to give my five quid a month for Radio Norfolk commentary, just to stay in touch.
Still, if I was paying hundreds a year would I renew? It’s a toss up. You’re right Stewart that times aren’t as bad as they have been. But what makes this period feel worse is that we should know better. That we should have learned some lessons. That we should have taken our opportunities and avoided the obvious pitfalls. I no longer trust Delia & co to make any sound decision and any they do I’ll put down to luck before I ever do skill.
Dave B (16): “What makes this period feel worse is that we should know better”. Hard to disagree with that.