During the previous international break, MFW asked our readers for their suggestions regarding “who is your favourite Norwich City player of all time – and why”. We got some cracking responses from all concerned, including one from the great man himself, Darren Huckerby.
This time around we want to know who your favourite City manager has been and most importantly, why.
I am entirely split between two and cannot put a Rizla between them.
It’s a bit like saying do you prefer Michelle Pfeiffer or Halle Berry? Or in the interests of equality, Mrs P suggests Richard Gere or Hugh Grant. A difficult one is this.
But I’m only allowing myself to select one and for me, it has to be [dons tin hat] Paul Lambert.
Following that truly appalling mauling against Colchester, a light went on in David McNally’s head. Get him in.
He did what he could with what he had [we must all thank Gunny for recruiting Holty] and got us out of the mire that is League One. I cannot remember all the recruits and certainly not in chronological order and quite possibly several of these were signed following our promotion to the Championship:
Matty Gill, Stephen Hughes, Olly Johnson, Andrew Crofts. Fraser Forster, Russell Martin, David Fox, Anthony McNamee. Elliott Bennett, Marc Tierney, Tiny Ward, John Ruddy.
And so many more I’ve forgotten.
We played great stuff that season and repeated it in the Championship.
Anthony Pilkington and others joined us to eventually ensure we achieved promotion to the PL (Promised Land). And more or less cruised to a mid-table finish.
And then, of course, it all turned sour. Very sour. The last game of that season was at home to Villa and their fans knew something most of us didn’t, which is why as soon as we finished our chorus of “one Paul Lambert” they started up an identical chant of their own.
A rarely aired rumour had it that Lambert approached McNally to suggest/demand the signings of Michu and Christian Benteke, which led to Alan Bowkett dubbing Lambert “the most impatient man I’ve ever met”. I believe in that rumour.
Shortly afterwards Lambert was gone. To Villa, so no surprise there, then.
Latterly his career has bottomed out. I don’t feel sorry for him in the slightest but would like to sincerely thank him for providing three seasons of the most passionate, enjoyable Norwich City performances I have ever witnessed.
Simeon Jackson against Derby, anybody?
Just to help you good folks out, the first City manager I can remember is Ron Saunders of Mousehold Heath infamy.
Thereafter it was: John Bond, Ken Brown (367 matches in charge!), Dave Stringer, Mike Walker, John Deehan.
Martin O’Neill, Gary Megson, Mike Walker (again), Bruce Rioch.
Bryan Hamilton, Nigel Worthington, Peter Grant, Glenn Roeder (ugh).
Bryan Gunn, Paul Lambert, Chris Hughton. Neil Adams, Alex Neil and that German guy who ain’t doing a bad job right now.
As ever we’d love to hear your views. Let us know who you would pick as your top manager and, of course, why.
Thanks to MFW commenter Herr Cutz for suggesting this topic. I know him better as Cutty and sometimes even David. He’s made me do some research for the first time since I left Uni. But I still love him
I’m old enough to go back to Ron Ashman but my number one choice would be Ron Saunders. Until he came along we never looked like anything other than a hopefully mid table second division side.
He transformed the whole club, Norwich City’s Bill Shankly.
He went on to win the league title with Villa and it was his team that won the European Cup but he’d resigned a couple of months beforehand on a matter of principle.
When arguing with Ipswich fans about Bobby Robson I could always say he wasn’t as successful as our Ron Saunders.
No other Norwich manager comes close, not even Mike walker who I rate as number two.
Hi John
I don’t recall Ashman at all but obviously I know he was here for around 20 consecutive years as player and then manager. My first match was in 1967 and I would imagine he’d left by then?
Saunders is a great choice and I think Gary’s picture above says it all as it depicts him in full-on army PTI mode.
More successful than Sir Bobby? I wouldn’t care to argue that myself tbh, but nonetheless one of our finest.
Thank you.
Did Robson win the old division 1 championship?
Good point John – but does Ron Saunders have his own statue and a stand named in his honour?
I’m only being a tad facetious – despite the obvious associations I quite admired Robson actually.
He was certainly an embodiment of his time:-)
Cheers.
Idolatry appears to be an Ipswich weakness.
Absolutely. Anyone who supported Norwich pre-Saunders will remember how he transformed this club and arguably laid the foundations for who we are now. His promotion team was similar to our current squad; the whole greater than the sum of the parts. Ominously that approach only lasted two seasons!
As I recall Manchester City came calling.
Lack of funds resulted in relegation, sounds only too familiar!
Yep, I can sure relate to that!
A bit like Reeves and Body I suppose.
Hi Max
We didn’t really have too many stand-outs in that side that I can remember but I was only 15/16 at the time so memories are understandably hazy.
I got to very few games in those days as I lived in London but the memories I do have are happy ones.
Thank you.
I agree that it is hard to look beyond Paul Lambert, Martin, even though his reputation amongst us has been somewhat tarnished by subsequent events! There is also our much-admired present incumbent, of course.
However, being of an earlier vintage, I must put in a mention for Archie Macaulay who led us on the wonderful Cup run of 1958/59 and to our first promotion since World War 2. His team (largely unchanged and injury-free! – no subs in those days) played some great attacking football.
Hi John
Straight away I’ll declare that Farke is my runner-up by a short head.
Lambert gets my vote simply because he comfortably kept us in the PL for a season and Farke has yet to accomplish that – but I’m sure we all hope he does.
It could have been Mike Walker but I ruled him out as he inherited Dave Stringer’s successful team, although he stood up to Mr Chase exceptionally well and I admire him for that..
Archie Macaulay is simply a name to me although my Barclay mate Keith tells some wonderful stories of that Cup run and promotion to division two.
Thank you.
Hi Martin
Ron Ashman, Saunders and Bond all so different in styles of play but also similar in winning mentality.
To me Bond was or has been a very successful manager at City and my number I.
I can’t remember how many players he sold for £1m plus but he always found a replacement, his 60’s /70’s style would have suited today’s football.
Like Saunders he was tempted to a big club in Man City the owner Swales must have thought city was his B team the amount of players and Managers he had from us both Benson and Machin followed Bond into the hot seat and Machin was sacked after beating United 5 -0.
PL I will look on with fond memories for what he achieved but it was more about his own glory than cities success he will soon leave the blue noses when he see a possible bigger club make an offer Sunderland anyone.
Onwards and Upwards
OTBC
Hi Alex
Yes I think you’re right there. Bondy [not Body as I mistyped to John F above] would probably thrive in this modern era for sure.
I was never a fan of Peter Swales and not just because he robbed us of Machin, Benson and players. He was seemingly very vocal in the days that “chairpersons” would trumpet on in the Press more than they do now and I rarely appreciated what he said, speaking as a consumer.
Possibly Mel Machin’s exit from Man City wasn’t directly related to football matters. That’s how I kind of recall it anyway. It was a long time ago:-)
As for Paul Lambert of course he’ll jump the Blue ship when it suits him. We got virtually three seasons out of him and nobody – but nobody – has achieved that thus far. And I doubt they ever will.
He apparently always wanted the Liverpool gig but I don’t think Herr Klopp will be going anywhere soon. Oh well, never mind.
Sunderland? Don’t think so!
Cheers mate.
Lambert for Sunderland? How intriguing,
Hi Chris
That’s one I really don’t see happening mate:-)
I can go back to Ron Ashman and Lol Morgan but Saunders was the guy I first took interest in
I was just under 20 when I actually met the man, many said he was a bit dour, even severe, but in Jarrold’s having a coffee, he came across nowt like that to me. There was and unspoken rule I quickly found myself adhering to. Do not interrupt him or try to over talk.
His manager style was everything that he was, hard , strict forceful you get the drift, yep he could holler better than most, I expect a few players ears didn’t cool down for a few hours later. I went up St James Hill during a training run. think it was about the 3rd time up, David Cross fell over and was being sick , Saunders ran over kicked his butt and ordered him up the top. To say you don’t mess with him would be an understatement.
Did I know we would win the league and get promoted, no not a chance, but I knew it would not be for lack of fitness,grit and determination . I select him because he changed this club, outlook the way things got done. I find it hard to find the right explanation, I know we were professional . but he made us more so… Not surprised he went to even more success.
Coming 2nd for me was Kenny Brown, he came out of Bond’s shadow to do a fair job , lucky enough I got to decorate his new house. What a smashing, all round gent. he would laugh and say I am Mr Nice guy and Mel (Machin) was Mr Nasty Nasty.
It is a hard job to really select a favourite as many did many different things , in different ways But to actually do it his way and first it had to be Ron Saunders what I admired, he never (as far as I know) he always did something first before telling the players to. Lead by example
Hi Lad
A vote for Saunders I can completely respect as I said to JohnF above.
Gary’s picture selection at the top of the article sums the man up to me!
Those occasional coffees in Jarrolds with him must have been quite an experience for you.
I’ve only met Ken Brown, Dave Stringer and Mike Walker as far as our managers go.
Ken was just the lovely guy you have mentioned. I can’t remember where exactly I met him, but it was when I lived in Blofield and he lived in Brundall – I think. [was that the house in question?] A fair while after he’d retired anyway.
Dave S was a nice guy too – my ex-wife’s uncle knew him and we had a brief chat around 1990. Perhaps at Trowse?
When I went into the City for work I’d occasionally bump into Mike Walker on London Street. Not much chat because his missus always wanted to get to the shops asap. but he was unfailingly pleasant. And now he’s getting more all-year-round sun than thee or me of course!
I’m now 61 and could probably just about walk the original Saunders training trek but I’d need both the dogs to haul me up there.
On second thoughts I don’t really fancy trying it. So I won’t.
Thanks for a great post.
If you are talking purely in success silverware wise then it’s hard to look beyond dear old Ken Brown. Promotion 1981-82, 1985 Milk Cup win, 2nd Division title 1985-86 and a 5th placed finish in the old First Division 1986-87. I’m not 100% sure if he’s our longest serving manager but he must be close. Added to all that he’s a lovely bloke. Once bought me a pint in a supporters club meeting the day after we’d just been trounced 5-0 by that lot down the road in 1998. Never forgotten that. The Stringer/Walker years were memorable, as was Lambert’s tenure. Let’s also not forget Alex Neil’s run to the ultimately successful play-off final. All things that live long in the memory. I hope Daniel Farke can go on to top them all.
Hi Neil
Yes Ken Brown is a true gent. People tend to forget that he was part of the WHU side that won the FA Cup in 1964 (aet against Preston) and then the Euro thing in 1965 – whatever it was called way back then.
They used to call them the B team as in Brown, Bonds, Brabrook, Bovington and probably a couple I’ve surely forgotten, Jim Standen was the keeper, Johnny Sissons on the left wing plus Mooro of course. I guess Hurst and Peters might have been fractionally later but I’m not sure tbh.
I’ve no real time for WHU but just about all my family supported them and to be taken to any match when you’re eight is a great experience.
Alex Neil too deserves credit for his achievement. Best day at Wembley I’ve ever had – and I was there in 73, 75 and 85!
Great post – thank you.
Great post and thank you.
Thanks Martin, I’ll never forget his kind words that day after that miserable drubbing at their place. I was standing at the bar still looking thoroughly miserable after a wasted journey to Portman Road. He stood next to me and asked if I’d been to the match to which I said yes. He said “No wonder you look fed up! What are you drinking? He forked out for a Guinness and then we had a quick chat about all things City. Just a true gent and lovely fella.
That’s one of those heart-warming things we just love to hear about.
Reminds me of the time after the Sunderland semi when we were in the Newark KFC.
This old boy said to us “what did you think of that then?”
I replied “we were carp”. He said “cor, be real. we weren’t that good”.
Thanks again.
I did forget one of the WHU “B team”- Ronnie Boyce.
Saunders did the impossible by getting City into Div 1. Bond established the Norwich style. Lambert the best period of my supporting life. Farke probably the best football. Walker won in Munich. Stringer a Norwich man through and through.
Bond by a whisker for creating the direction for 40 years plus.
Hi Exile.
Completely agree with all of that.
Stringer is indeed Norwich through and through. He was the one Delia turned to for advice on more than one occasion when it came to “who do we hire as new manager” time.
Thank you.
John Bond married a distant relative, so I’m going with nepotism. Although his tenure pre-dated my lifetime.
Hi David.
He was now what they’d term “a good fit for the club” with an outgoing personality to match.
A hard act to follow, although Ken Brown managed pretty well in that respect.
Thank you.
Hi folks all
A very big MFW thank you for all your excellent comments.
It seems like Ron Saunders shaded it from Paul Lambert by about half a length with [by implication] Daniel Farke coming up on the rails in third.
Lol Morgan and Archie Macaulay also got a mention, which can only be good. I had to google the former tbh.
Anyway the next international break will be upon us before we realise it and as usual MFW will run something similar on a slightly different topic next time out.
Early spoiler: it could be what was your favourite Norwich City match of all time and, as ever, why. There are many to choose from.
Thanks to all.
Marty, best manager was Macauley, by a country mile. That wonderful 58/59 cup run, I was in my last year at the Hewett school and and lessons were stopped and we listened to the semi final reply on the school ‘wireless’. He then took us from the 3rd Division and establish us as a 2nd Division club the following year. He put Norwich on the football map, without him we could have remained another 3rd rate club, a place to avoided by good managers and decent players. In second place is your choice, Lambert, he took us from the same Division to the Prem but like him we didn’t last long and he never had a cup run like Macauley.
Hi Cutty
The FA Cup has never been our forte and that’s for sure. The one you mention against Luton, Everton at Villa Park and Sunderland at Hillsborough is about it really.
It would be nice if we could put a run together this season but I find myself saying that every season!
Thanks for the original idea.
I’m with you on this Martin, it has to be PL and what an incredible time that was for the club.
I’m still not sure how good a manager he is actually was, his subsequent career makes me question whether our success was a combination of factors rather than genius guidance.
That said our season in the prem under him was superb and I never felt we were in any danger.
His leaving came as a surprise but not a shock, certainly not as shocking as a certain Mr O’Neill, who despite everything, would still feature high up on my list.
Hi Segura
You make a valid point about Lambert. Many folks say that Cully and Karsa were vital to his success and he would never have achieved it without them.
He’s certainly never been the same since, although he’s lately having a minor renaissance with the Binners.
I liked Martin O’Neill too but the Windass affair made him leave after such a short time that I didn’t really feel I could consider him.
Thank you.
Ron Saunders for me . He did what most supporters, my dad included, the impossible dream of taking little old Norwich into top tier football and keeping them there , albeit by the skin of our teeth. Similar ethos about the importance of fitness as Farke has.
My first manager was Lol Morgan but I didn’t really understand that much about the game as I was only 7/8. I just loved going to Carrow Road with my dad and brother. Hooliganism of the mid 70s kept me away from going to watch until mike walker came along.
Hi Donna
Much love for Ron Saunders on here it must be said and I totally understand why.
Dark days in the 1970s and that’s for sure. I spent that entire decade in London and was a regular at White Hart Lane [I simply could only get here about twice a season] and it was far worse there.
Spurs v Arsenal 1972 [I was 14] anyone? Thought not.
They had the tube to fight on as well, of course.
Thank you.