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With the feelgood factor off the scale, these glory days have to be celebrated

With the feelgood factor off the scale, these glory days have to be celebrated

2nd May 2019 By Martin Penney 15 Comments

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If you’re going to City’s Parade, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

1969 was the last real year of the Hippie era and love and peace were everywhere. The sky was all one colour and the grass was green. The draft-dodgers, other longhairs and all like-minded folks congregated at Woodstock Festival in the US of A. There was apparently total harmony.

I was only eleven at the time but I’ve seen the movie and occasionally play some of the soundtrack.

Ever since the final whistle from Andrew Madley against Blackburn on Saturday I’ve felt a similar kind of “vibe” around these here parts.

Other clubs – notably Newcastle and Man Utd – have officially congratulated us. At least one shop in Cromer already has a City-themed window display. Every time I walk around the City wearing a black jacket with that badge on it total strangers stop me for a football-related chat. This time last year that simply didn’t happen.

A Cuban website has been in full praise of Onel Hernandez, saying he will be the first Cuban ever to play in the Premier League. They are as proud of him as we are. Interest in “Little Old Norwich” is on the up.

To continue my theme of the feelgood factor, that was never better exhibited than at a Canaries Trust get-together at the City’s Departure Lounge, which featured Michael Bailey and the team producing PinkUn podcast #177 – promotion party special.

I was kindly invited to said occasion and enjoyed it immensely. I spoke to people I knew and people I had never met before but every conversation I had was one of sheer joy. Oh boy, are we enjoying this achievement.

I was also seconded to appear in said podcast, as were a few other Canaries Trust members.

I’ve had the dubious privilege to appear on TV and radio during my working life, but never under such favourable circumstances.

Our genial host Michael conducted events with aplomb and I never thought I’d share a “casting couch” with the erudite PA journalist Jim and Kieran – Norfolk’s very own Sonic.

I made a big gaffe regarding Sonic. Only seeing the rear aspect I asked Michael why Splat the Cat was here. He soon put me right.

Mind you Michael was in a good mood as Ben Kensell had given him an official City shirt with Pinkun 19 (as in Tom T) on it!

Never having attended a PinkUn podcast before, I can thoroughly recommend the experience to everybody. It’s so relaxed and just good fun.

It’s amazing how many people involved on the evening wear so many different hats.

Michael and his Archant colleague David Freezer are both true Yellows while reporting on our team, doing a plethora of visual stuff and writing opinion pieces as well.

Recently retired Trust Secretary Mike Reynolds and his successor Kathy Blake are obviously City fans and heavily involved with the Trust too. As regular readers will know, Kathy writes for MFW as well.

Personally, I’m a supporter, Trust member and write regularly on MFW.

But the “how many hats can I wear” award goes to one Robin Sainty. The former Kings Lynn Town striker is Chair of the Trust, writes a regular column for the EDP, is a lifelong City supporter and knocks out an article for MFW when he can.

Having a cheeky attitude to life, I managed to persuade the staff at Departure Lounge to proffer a massive ice bucket filled with bottles of Stella. Kathy also went behind the counter to find me the bottle opener (I wasn’t wearing glasses) so it was kind of reciprocal I guess.

A terrific occasion? Oh yes. It was the first party without a punch-up I think I’ve ever been to – although I’ve attended some very dodgy parties.

All for one and one for all, and that is for real. Great times and let’s enjoy. Glory days and we’re all smiling.

Actually, I couldn’t wear flowers in my hair even if I tried as I have a number one cut but that’s old age, not choice.

I’ll leave you with this, which kind of reminds me of Daniel Farke and our wonderful supporters: Love and Pax Canaria.


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Filed Under: Column, Martin Penney

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alex B says

    2nd May 2019 at 2:33 pm

    Hi Martin

    An enjoyable read and glad you had a great night out.

    My song for the moment is let the good times roll by BB King.

    Come Sunday evening we should be Champions I wonder if it happens will Villa show city the respect they deserve or will they hurry of the field????

    Onwards and Upwards

    OTBC

    Reply
    • martin penney says

      2nd May 2019 at 3:41 pm

      Hi Alex

      According to Aston Villa Official they have already announced there will be a lap of appreciation from themselves – with the current EFL-inspired warning for supporters to keep off the pitch duly included.

      I’m sure we’ll be given some time to celebrate with our supporters too – Villa are a decent club and it might even happen that both teams remain on the pitch together for a while.

      I like BB King too – he freely admitted he couldn’t sing and play at the same time and couldn’t really play rhythm. He called that famous white guitar Lucille.

      Like Norwich City, he had a lot of character!

      Thank you.

      Reply
  2. Robin Sainty says

    2nd May 2019 at 2:45 pm

    Lovely stuff Martin and great to see you last night. Have to correct you on one thing though, 19 is Super Tommy Trybull’s number, Emi is 17!

    Reply
    • martin penney says

      2nd May 2019 at 4:19 pm

      Ha!

      My bad and thanks for the correction!

      Life was so much easier when the players all wore one to eleven, or maybe even twelve.

      When one of our best players (Max) wears the 37 shirt, life becomes awkward. I wouldn’t want Chris Goreham’s job:-)

      Thank you.

      Reply
  3. Ed says

    2nd May 2019 at 4:24 pm

    Yes Martin, there is a real ‘feelgood’ factor around the city and it has been an incredible season for everyone who contributed in any way to what has been achieved.

    My original prediction was that we’d achieve promotion over the Easter weekend, but I’m glad we didn’t, as the scenes at the final whistle and for at least 30 minutes after, are something I’ll NEVER forget. That it was in front of the Sky cameras was even better (I can well remember when we used to DREAD playing in front of them, as we nearly always lost – now I can’t remember the last time we did lose playing in front of them!!), as fans around the world/who couldn’t get a ticket were able to be part of the celebrations.

    The money it must have brought to the pubs showing the game is unimaginable – not to mention how much will be spent on Bank Holiday Monday. I see that P&R are running extra buses in the morning and again early afternoon – luckily, I can bike in and home again.

    1
    Reply
    • martin penney says

      2nd May 2019 at 5:39 pm

      Thanks Ed

      I’ll have to hope my back will be okay for Monday as the Parade itself shuts off the bus route I might normally use. A 5km “round trip” walk for us but it’ll be well worth it!

      Drive? City Council says NO. What I think of the City Council remains with me as I have no wish to offend MFW readers with excessive use of coarse language.

      I can’t remember the last time we lost live on Sky either – certainly not this season.

      It’s been a wonderful season and I don’t mind the early start on Monday – we’ll even have time to take the dogs out first. Geezer the Patterdale will be wearing his City shirt over the park. If it still fits him – he was only a pup when Mrs P created it for him the day after Boro at Wembley!

      Otherwise it’ll be a hand-me-down to Minnie the Jack Russel.

      Thanks as always

      I had us down to finish on 95 points

      1
      Reply
  4. Dan Rear says

    2nd May 2019 at 8:12 pm

    Excuse my ignorance, I am a Tyke living in Lancs, but who are the 3 gents pictured? And Martin, surely it should have been bottles of decent beer, Woodfordes ideally, rather than the awful Stella?

    Reply
    • Gary Gowers says

      3rd May 2019 at 6:21 am

      Sorry Dan … Ideally, I should have captioned it, but there’s no such facility for the featured image.

      So, from left to right: Robin Sainty, Dave Freezer and our own Martin Penney.

      Apologies again.

      Reply
    • martin penney says

      3rd May 2019 at 7:09 am

      Hi Dan

      It was one of those Hobson’s choice situations. I prefer Henry Weston’s cider myself!.

      Reply
  5. Mandie Thorpe says

    3rd May 2019 at 4:20 pm

    Nice to meet you on Wednesday Martin!! Great article ??

    Reply
    • martin penney says

      3rd May 2019 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks Mandie – everything feels so good around NCFC just now!

      Reply
  6. Chris says

    3rd May 2019 at 5:15 pm

    Great read Martin. I still find myself breaking into a spontaneous chuckle at least ten times a day when reality bites and it dawns on me that we are again part of the footballing elite.

    I sense a promotion themed summer of parties and fun approaching.

    1
    Reply
    • martin penney says

      3rd May 2019 at 6:00 pm

      You’re not wrong there Chris!

      Even an old cynic like me feels exactly the same as you.

      Whether we should thank Tom Smith, Ed Balls or indeed both for the sea change and the arrival of Stuart Webber I do not know.

      But this PL time around we’ll give it our best shot without wasting money – we’ve been told so on record by an honest man. And I’m made up with that.

      Go on – write us something over the summer: we know you want to really:-)

      Cheers!

      1
      Reply
  7. David Bowen says

    4th May 2019 at 4:43 am

    Hi Martin,

    I have had an exceptional week, promoted last weekend, birthday on Wednesday and some very personal good news on Thursday.

    Around 18 months ago I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, I underwent a course of treatment at Weston-super-Mare hospital which sadly didn’t work. I have recently undergone a different course of treatment at Southmead hospital.

    On Thursday I had a cystoscopy and biopsy, when I awoke after the op, my consultant surgeon came to see me with the news that, subject to confirmation, my bladder appears to be cancer free with no returning growth!

    Now for the punchline :-

    The news that made me happiest was our beloved Canary’s promotion! Now for the icing on the cake, let’s have the title.

    COYY OTBC

    1
    Reply
    • martin penney says

      4th May 2019 at 9:46 am

      Hi David

      I’m really, really pleased for you.

      Hardly in the same league but I’ve decided (correctly according to Aylsham Dental Surgery) to have all my teeth removed. I wouldn’t even agree to commit to the initial referral until promotion was achieved. I go for that on Friday coming.

      So for about three months I’ll be as toothless as the 1p5wich attack!

      Thanks a lot and all the best of luck for the future.

      1
      Reply

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