While it’s been a season to forget for Norwich City Football Club, for the Norwich City Fans Social Club it has been quite the opposite.
The NCFSC (as they are known) have delivered big time; the players and management coming a distant second.
Formed in the summer of 2015 from a group of twelve volunteers whose common thread was a love of their football club, the original aim of the NCFSC was to work with the club to build a social club through events and activities designed specifically to bring fans closer together. And all while supporting the club’s charity, the Community Sports Foundation (CSF).
They’ve succeeded, excelled even, in both of those aims.
Tonight they are hosting a ‘social evening’ in Carrow Road’s Top of the City lounge – their sixth event of a busy season – which will feature a cast list that includes the club’s new managing director Steve Stone, director Tom Smith, BBC Radio Norfolk’s Chris Goreham and former players, Terry Allcock and Cedric Anselin.
Their season began back in July when over 100 people attended an evening with Steve Stone, who was then the interim CEO, which was hosted by Darren Eadie – a regular supporter of the NCFSC.
This was followed in August by a Players Forum for which Jacob Murphy, Ivo Pinto and Jonny Howson were in attendance, and in November there was a Legends Evening, which lived up to its name with Darren Huckerby, Adam Drury and Terry Allcock (again) on the panel.
2017 was heralded in with a Pundits Night which featured Iwan Roberts, EDP writer and Mustard TV presenter Michael Bailey, BBC Radio Norfolk’s Rob Butler and again a certain Mr Eadie.
The annual Quiz Night was held in February and was the season’s big ‘earner’ with an astonishing £2,625 raised in one evening – a fine effort – making the season’s total around the £4,000 mark.
Clearly the team are hoping that tonight’s event will add to that impressive total, all of which will again find its way into coffers of the CSF.
As if to emphasise the value of their fund raising, the money raised over the course of the 2015/16 season, which amounted to over £3,000, will help a team of local footballers with learning difficulties take part in this summer’s National Special Olympics in Sheffield.
Tonight’s event begins at 7.30pm and attendees are asked to use the South Stand main reception entrance. Entry is free and everyone welcome to what is essentially an opportunity to dissect and discuss the events of the season with like-minded folk in an informal setting.
One of the club’s founding volunteers Diane Blazier told MFW of the NCFSC’s gratitude to the football club for its ongoing support and support too from BBC Radio Norfolk and Archant, all of whom have been “brilliant”. And long may that continue.
For more information on the social club and their work please go to www.ncfsc.co.uk.
There’s been some great work undertaken by the NCFSC volunteers over the past couple of years raising not insignificant monies for the CSF.
This is also a great opportunity for fans to meet and informally chat with Steve Stone and Tom Smith about all things Norwich City.
This should be renamed the ncfc supporters LIviNG IN/NEAR NORWICH. Supporters who have to travel any distance are excluded due to journey costs and time. I’ve supported Norwich since before most of those local supporters were born. People like me for various reasons can only attend match days but at least the club arrange the away supporters evening for a match day. Living in Norwich does not make you any more of a supporter nor us travellers any less although we are excluded from many non football events.
Barry (2) – As a matter of interest, where do you live?