For all those supporters of other clubs – and indeed most of our own – our Championship triumph will have come as something of a surprise. To myself as well if I must be totally honest. And several of us here on MFW will surely feel the same.
Let’s face it, most of us were surprised at the outcome of season’s end. But even stranger things happen.
Mrs P and I went to LiDL on the Drayton Road roundabout on Wednesday morning to buy some staples – other discount supermarkets are available.
I saw this guy near the bread counter with Brasenose emblazoned on the back of his jacket in large gold letters, complete with the Oxford College’s crest which also featured on his tracky trousers, which I recognised. The crest, not the trousers.
Bearing in mind the venue I asked him if it was for real. It was – he was on secondment to the Sainsbury Centre and, while he originated from the central USA, we had a chat about Norwich City. His knowledge of our club hit me like a jackhammer.
Mind you, I only went to the UEA.
Our promotion was unpredictable, but what are the chances of meeting an Oxford undergraduate in a Norwich LiDL. During term time? Generally zilch I’d say.
The guy loved what we’ve achieved and got to see us against Sheffield Wednesday – which truly reinforces the fact that we’re going global. And we’d better get used to it – again.
There’s no concept of being under the radar anymore.
Recent transfer rumours regarding incomings have been frankly absurd. Clickbait at best. There is one I would give credence to but the other ten are surely rubbish.
The best deal of the lot so far has been Timm Klose signing on for three more years. We love him and he loves us. Plus he knows what he’s doing in the Premier League and I couldn’t bear to see him play for Glasgow Rangers (or whatever they’re called these days). Rumours that came to nothing yet again.
And in the reasons to be cheerful (part two) section, words such as Naismith, Jarvis and Wildschut will no longer be within the spectrum of the NCFC football writing community. Or part of our club.
There’s only Nelson to offload now – come on Reading, sort those finances out and buy him. I’ll bung in a tenner if I have to.
Our next-door neighbour in Norwich, Zoltan, (a Ferencvaros fan) was full of praise for us as well. I cannot remember the Hungarian word for congratulations, but I did understand that he likes the way we play. He speaks excellent English so for him to break into his native tongue these days is quite unusual.
And much appreciated.
I’ve had mails from Cyprus, South Africa and even Brundall wishing us well.
Whatever happens next season as long as we keep up the squad spirit, I really think we’ll be okay.
We’re big time on the global stage again folks – let’s enjoy the ride.
OTBC
Morning MR P. I am on several photography groups over the net, in at least 4 of them I recieved messages and posts congratulating my football club. These came from all over the globe, covering at 20 odd countries. Some of these people have said over months I have been using the groups, that they have not had even the slightest amount in football, if they did it was their local team or the usual suspects of big boys.
It was because we suddenly started being noticed in the global media, which reminded them of my cover photos or emoticons along the drum I did bang a little more than usual.
Every move, every tackle, everything will be under spotlight more than before, except on the beeb, which will continue with their policy of relegating us before a ball is kicked and to the last game on MotD .Credit will be grudgingly given is small measure. A prophet and town comes to mind..
We know what is coming, we have been there and suffered it all before, we expect it .Welcome it it means we are back in the big time.
We may not have won an FA Cup or an old UFEA Cup, but we are Premier League once again not hanging onto past glories from nearly 40 years ago.while we revel in L1. Who is hiding behind a microphone because being a coach or manager was too much. who are ya…
Hi Lad
Presuming you’re referencing the Alan Brazil comments I think he’s clutching at straws if he thinks the Binners are bigger than us. Maybe in the distant past, granted. But not in this century and that’s what counts.
I don’t really bother with TalkSport any more – not because of Brazil in particular but as you so rightly say we’re condemned before we’ve even committed the crime, if you see what I mean.
Sheffield United will suffer in a similar fashion, but not Derby or Villa, believe me.
Can’t wait until Shearer and Lineker get their chance to rubbish us – why restrict it to the radio!
Thanks as ever.
Can’t wait for Shearer and Lineker to have to swallow their words Martin!
I suspect Lineker especially might hesitate a moment though… Even he can’t have failed to notice that City’s promotion has happened differently this year.
Hi Michael
You may well be right on that point about Lineker.
He’s very intelligent (whatever you might think of him).
As is Ian Wright – we’ll just have to see!
Thank you.
Hi Martin
I am in total agreement city are going global and having worked in nany places over the years have always found like minded supporters.
In the 1990 I was in Nigeria in a town called Warri(not a good place or time to be there) most of the locals followed english football and on occasions a few would ask if I had any City shirts they could have, also they would tell us were we could see games live without the locals causing trouble or being taken hostage.
In Qatar they were many city supporters and even some of the locals cheered city on when the games were on Al Jaziera and thesouth african arm of sky sports with Gary Bailey doing the Lineker job.
City gas a wide and varied support around the world even the Wolverine supports us says it was from him grandmother side all coming from Norfolk especially Norwich.
Many others that support the so called world class clubs calks city their second team I can live with thatas mine is Spurs.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Hi Alex
I’m one of those strange folks who – literally – has been to nearly every country in Europe but never visited anywhere out of it.
Mrs P has – she went to Egypt before she met me and Thailand with daughter-in-law since. She thoroughly enjoyed both experiences.
The only shirt swap I ever did was with a guy in a bar in Lens France – he was a Rennes fan and their colours are identical to ours. I’ve still got it and wear it occasionally.
btw as I’ve said before on MFW Spurs are my second team too.
Funny how football is a truly universal currency.
Cheers mate.
Martin, I’m amazed word of our mighty achievements has reached as far as Brundall, though I shouldn’t really be surprised, because when I was on a cruise off Vietnam back in late March, a Philippino waiter asked me which team I supported, and when I said Norwich, he replied “oh, the Canaries, play in yellow and green at Carrow Road”.
I asked him if he knew of Ipswich, but he hadn’t heard of them – I suppose he was too young to remember their glory years!
Hi Jim
Love the comment.
I doubt anyone born after around 1975 – whichever nation they are from – would immediately recall 1p5wich.
My point in the original article was that regardless of our distinctive colours, people from all around the world are increasingly taking notice of us – and for the right reasons.
And it’s brilliant.
Thank you.
Well Martin, I can’t wait to hear what Messrs Shearer and co will say should we even come close to replicating our 2nd goal at Hillsborough.
Zimbo to Aaron’s, who sprints most of the length of the pitch, plays a 1-2, plays a delightful ball into the box and the ball’s in the back of the net – 16 seconds after Zimbo’s pass!!
I don’t for one moment expect something as excellent as that when our pupils (as Andy Head would call them) start competing against ‘boys’ from .’public schools’ and such like, but I am equally confident that our headmaster will instill in our boys that they are in no way inferior/undeserving of playing against pupils from the elite schools.
3 weeks today and will know our first opponents/home game!!
Hi Mac
Sure it’s scary. I’d pick Burnley or Bournemouth at home for our first match without Simon Hooper “officiating” if I possibly could but football doesn’t often work like that!
This is the world we will now inhabit.
Maybe we have a batch of Secondary Modern pupils up against the elite from “Eton and Harrow”, but we won’t know until August. Not for sure anyway.
And being a scholarship kid who survived seven years (that were not that intolerable) at a minor public school I know exactly what you mean.
I know which group I’d trust in a “knuckle”.
Andy will have to do the “educational” stuff but thanks from me for a great comment!
From my own social media experience, I would guess that we are now the favourite EPL team for approximately 50% of German football fans…perhaps unsurprising but nice to know!
Hi Justin
I don’t do social media (couldn’t cope with the brickbats) but I pick up on what you say.
If German fans dislike Klopp (I don’t – I think he’s great) there’s always Farke of course.
I’ve always liked Dortmund – they stuffed Eintracht F in the only game I’ve ever been to in Germany apart from Bayern Munchen against NCFC, which was rather more special tbh.
Thanks a lot.
Come on then, other than your conversation with the ‘Brazen Nose’ graduate what did you buy from the middle in Lidl?
DF and SW put together an entire squad from the cut price supermarket of footballers and they’ve ended up as proof that quality isn’t guaranteed by price, (must tell my Wife).
Up until the season just finished I would have been so excited if City were making a marquee signing now I would be unhappy and prefer second or third tier league signings.
Spirit in the group is essential any player that jeopardizes that is out the frame. It will be great to see how we go and a time to feel proud to support our great club.
Oh, almost forgot, Alan Brazil, whilst we are visiting Spurs, Man City and Liverpool, do enjoy your away days at Wycombe, Fleetwood and Rochdale, (where a certain Ian Henderson may be ‘pleased’ to see you),
Don’t forget the ex city players at Lincoln and now Morris at Rotherham they can’t get away from us
???
I feel sorry for their fans, they are signed up for life with no parole.
Thst I do agree with even if my sister’s in laws Eddie Spearritt played for them Carlile and Brighton till B Clough took over
Hi Colin
A direct question deserves an honest answer:
Bog rolls, kitchen paper, several bars of white chocolate (@34p each), chilled crispy duck complete with hoisin and pancakes (it’s excellent beyond all expectation), cucumber, spring onions, bread, milk and some plain yoghurt. And a newspaper.
Mrs P collected some other bits as well but although I (for once) paid for them I cannot remember exactly what they were.
Strangely as I’ve probably said on MFW before I’ve met (a slimmer) Mr Brazil when he ran the Blackadder in Ipswich. He’d just got back from a round of golf with Mr Wark and when they retuned to said pub I got stick with both barrels – but in such a good-natured way I warmed to both of them tbh.
I was with an 1p5wich mate who shares your monicker who knew them both well – it didn’t take Colin long to tell them I was a Budgie. One (I cannot remember which) made the cross with his index fingers to ward me off as if I were a vampire, but I had a great time joshing with them.
Luckily our days of marquee signings appear to be over. They simply don’t work for us.
And what did Holty cost?
On an 1p5wich note, well done Bryan Gunn!
Thanks as ever.
Crispy duck and pancakes, oh my. I get the job of tearing it into shreds with fork and spoon. It’s good wrapped in Cos lettuce too!
Good old Gunny!
Great stuff Martin. Having worked myself into a lather from around mid March inwards as the impossible grew ever more likely, I’m enjoying the break from football and the tension. Wallowing in the fact that we are once more amongst footballs elite. We’re we undoubtedly belong.
The quality of the rumours so far this close season are very poor I have to say, ranging from absurd links to has been goalkeepers who will demand 40k per week to players who were quite obviously scouted with plan B in mind, if championship standards was required.
Bizarrely every link seems to also include the name of Sheffield United, a clear indication that lazy journalism is afoot.
I suspect that we will be completely taken by surprise by the first new name through the door and that he will have gone completely unnoticed by all the assorted media outlets.
While on the subject of cut price supermarkets, I was in Aldi on plum stead road a couple of weeks ago one evening, with my better half taking advantage of their excellent fruit and vegetable range. As usual I found myself detached from her side aimlessly peering at shelves full of exotic produce trying to locate a particular item. Inadvertantly I began to whistle the Farkes on a horse tune to myself. To my delight, I was joined in my musical interlude by at least two others from elsewhere in the supermarket.
I’m in no hurry for the season to start. I’m enjoying the aftermath and warm glow of our title success and I’m keen for the Champions tag to sink in properly and in a timescale which will allow,a proper period of sheer joy.
Hi Chris
You highlight a couple of pertinent points about the current transfer rumours that I wish I’d included in the original article!
There sure were two plans and several of the names mentioned I, like you. reckon would have been scouted for plan B eg the lad Vaulks at Rotherham. If they were scouted at all, of course.
Your Sheffield United point is a good one too. “Oh, they’ve both got promoted and even though they play different styles let’s guess at individual players who they both want”. Stroll on!
Plumstead Road Aldi holds a less enjoyable experience for me.
They’d just installed their type-in your number plate machine and I’d borrowed Mrs P’s car and entered O instead of 0. I got back to the car just in time for a chance to convince the jobsworth what I’d done. He noted the proper number down and said he was off to check. He probably did but I never heard any more about it.
Thanks as always.