“When you start supporting a football club, you don’t support it because of the trophies or a player or history. You support it because you found yourself somewhere there – found a place where you belong.” – Dennis Bergkamp
I’ve asked myself why I support Norwich many, many times over the course of the last 15 years (after most losses in fact) but this is the reason why. And, though you probably think the person sitting next to you at Carrow Road is an absolute buffoon, I hope that you feel that same sense of belonging too.
For the last eight years, we’ve had a player at Norwich City who feels exactly how we do. Russell Martin has felt every crunching tackle, heart-breaking defeat and last-minute winner as vividly as each single fan since he joined on November 25, 2009.
Despite this, Russ has received a lot of (sometimes deserved) flak for his on-field performances over the last couple of years, meaning it can be easy to forget just how much of an impact he’s had on Norwich’s recent history.
Turns out he’s had quite an impact.
From his debut on December 1, 2009, in fact, when City went 11 league games unbeaten, winning ten and drawing one (with seven clean sheets). Unfortunately, I don’t have the resources to check this but that’s got to be approaching some sort of record, right? How many times have Norwich even gone 11 games unbeaten, ever? At the very least, it’s not a bad start.
I don’t personally remember him playing that well, though. In his first season, he was fairly solid (certainly an upgrade on Jon Otsemobor) but it seemed as if he wouldn’t be able to cut it in the Championship (he certainly hadn’t the previous season with Peterborough – 11 starts, one win).
He most certainly was able to cut it, though. Russ played every single minute of our promotion-winning season, scoring five goals in the process – including a last-second equaliser against Cardiff that, had it not been scored, would’ve probably seen the Bluebirds clinch second place instead of us.
That season he also scored against Ipswich, the fourth in our 5-1 win at Portman Road. His record against our neighbours has been excellent in fact, with his time at the club coinciding with our current unbeaten run against Town. In seven East Anglian Derbies featuring Russell Martin, Norwich won five, drew two, lost none, scored 17 goals and conceded just five. Russ captained City in five of those games. Oh, and he also helped knock Ipswich out of the play-offs. It doesn’t get better than that.
Despite the Norfolk Cafu finishing second in the vote for player of the season in 2011, Paul Lambert still felt it necessary to bring in reinforcements at right-back, with Kyle Naughton brought in on loan. And, although he started the season at Wigan in his familiar position, Martin was then left out of the squad altogether for the next three games before being brought back for the win against Bolton. At centre-back.
Of the 33 matches Russ started in our first season back in the Premier League, 17 of them were played at centre-back. And, although Chris Hughton did primarily play Martin at right-back, he was then shifted to the centre permanently under Neil Adams. Russ is still only 32, and it is worth questioning how that decision affected his career at Carrow Road. He is not good enough to start in the centre anymore, but could he still be a worthy right-back had he not changed position?
Once Lambert left however, Martin’s best three years at Norwich were probably behind him. Despite this, Russ still continued to experience plenty of success at City. In total, he played 308 times for our club, made 125 Premier League appearances in yellow and green, and captained City, not only 149 times (one hundred and forty-nine times), but to play-off victory – becoming just the second-ever Norwich captain to climb Wembley’s steps and lift a trophy.
Of those 308 games though, there are three that stick out to me in particular (and they matter more than any stat):
1. Norwich 3-2 Derby [25 April 2011]. Simeon Jackson is credited with the 96th-minute goal that kept City second, but it was Russell Martin’s shot that was cleared off the line (the ball was actually going wide but we’ll forget that) and rebounded off Jackson’s chest for the winner. Russ had already wheeled off in celebration so, while the other ten players celebrated in front of the Snake Pit, Norwich’s no. 2 was stood by himself, hands aloft, in front of a Barclay going bonkers. The resulting picture (courtesy of our friends at Archant) still gives me goosebumps.
2. Norwich 3-4 Manchester City [29 December 2012]. This has got to be one of the most electric atmospheres I’ve ever experienced at Carrow Road, especially when considering Norwich were 2-0 down inside four minutes. The resulting fightback was led by Russ himself, who scored two goals to bring the game back to 3-2 and 4-3, geeing the crowd up with pulsating passion as he went.
3. Liverpool 1-1 Norwich [20 December 2015]. To anyone who has ever questioned Russell Martin’s leadership, effort or desire, I would ask you one question: Have you ever had a baby one evening, not slept all night, travelled to Liverpool separate from the rest of your football team, then captained that team to a draw at Anfield in which you scored the equaliser? I don’t need to say anymore, the man’s a bloody hero.
Good luck Captain Russell, and thank you.
Whilst 11 unbeaten is impressive, it is not a record as Ian Culverhouse did not taste defeat for 18 games after signing for City
Ah, thanks for putting me right! 18 games will certainly take some beating
Well said. I agree 100% , yes there have been better to pull on a yellow shirt, but my god there have been far far worse. More skillful players have graced the turf, but there will not be many who have shared the passion and loyalty for the club. Both rare today where money is the main factor
He is one player I will not criticise needlessly .
Thanks Russ, and all the very best
I agree with your summary of Russell’s performances at Norwich. I wish him and his family my very wishes for his future in whatever Team, and country he is in.
Absolutely spot on. Russell would bleed yellow and green if cut. His total commitment to our cause, even when out of favour, has been an inspiration. Often unfairly criticised, he could never be accused of lack of effort and has led the team through some of its most exciting seasons in recent history. On top of all that, he is a genuinely humble and approachable human being. I remember meeting him at St George’s Park (near where I live) after a strenuous training session under Alex Neil. Him and Stephen Whittaker took time out to chat with me and even took some photos for me with my own phone. A great captain and ambassador for Norwich City.
That goal against Liverpool was a touch. Still has quality just not as consistently and fair play, the guy’s 32. Not old by any stretch but in footballing terms I guess so. I’d go for a vegan tofu wrap with Russell Martin any day of the week!
A good footballer but a first class man.
Can only agree with a fine article and some excellent comments.
Possibly one of the most articulate and genuinely nice footballers I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet – and his Radio Norfolk interviews were always a good listen, whatever our result might have been that day. As Gordon Tate says above, a great ambassador for Norwich City.
Something tells me we’ve by no means seen the last of our Russ.
Now what was that DF and SW said about a British coach…
Could not agree more, has all the attributes to become a good coach.
If we could field 11 players who cared as much as Russ we would never be out of the Premier League.
First class man; first class captain; thanks Russ for the memories – oh yes and that goal at the River End against Brighton.
Agree – he has always been fantastic when I have met him too – a leader on and off the pitch. He is great with fans, great with the kids, great with the media. He will be missed; he is the type of person I’d like to stay involved in the club, regardless of whether he is playing or not. Thanks Russ, a true gent.
A great role model, every club should have one
Thanks Russ
It’s worth remembering the bad days too. When, after a bad defeat, it was Russ who would take on the responsibility of speaking to to us, the supporters, through the after match interview. Never shirked, always with the pain of defeat etched on his face. I wonder if it was that sense of responsibility which did it for some supporters, who weren’t able to dissociate the man from the message. Also the determination to continue playing with a chronic condition, which would have most scuttling for a desk job. It’s been clear for a while that he needs to move to continue playing. I hope a deal has been done to bring him back when he hangs up his boots. Good luck, Russ.
A very good point, Sue, re coming out after (sometimes heavy) defeats. The 5-0 loss at Brighton springs to mind. I think Cam Jam also had a few words to say on that occasion.
I’d take those who maximise their limited ability over a talented wastrel any day and Russ was the epitome of that. I’ve never met the man but as I live in Russ’ hometown of Brighton I know a lot of people who have and I’ve never heard a bad word said about him.
Despite Russ’ leadership, commitment and passion being everything that most of us could ask for, that still wasn’t enough for some and they’ve now got what they wished for. Now he is going I think we are going to be looking for those qualities in the future and find them missing.
For many years, I felt it just wasn’t a Norwich team if Russ wasn’t it.
Good luck Russ, I hope the Rangers supporters appreciate you more than some of our so called “fans”
Whilst Pritchard is obviously a more direct loss to the City squad, Russ Martin’s departure seems much more like the end of an era, even if Wes Hoolahan is perhaps the last vestige of that era. He will be missed in many different ways within the club, I am sure, and if there is a way for him to come back in some different kind of future role, that would surely be welcomed. Even though this loan is only until the end of the season, and he has another year or so on his contract, somehow I don’t think we will be seeing Martin as a City player again.
It is unfortunate that Russ’ final game was the ignominious away loss to Millwall. Of course, had Farke tried to use him again, even just for one or two sub appearances, he would probably only have been booed. Yet in terms of what he has contributed to City over the years, he deserves far more recognition than that, as a few of the respondents on here have already noted. Thanks too Jack for leading on this.
Bloody love Russell Martin, a true NCFC hero. He as much as anyone else was responsible for the great times we’ve had over the past 7-8 seasons. Never understood the stick he got and never will.
Decent and committed player who over achieved but as Captain and as a bloke……Legend!
I can only echo what Colin says as I bloody love Russ Martin too. I really do hope that come pre season Russ is back at Colney.
Sentimental but I’d love to see a Russ/Holty management team one day.