There has never been a physical wall along the Norfolk/Suffolk border; no barrier to trade, people, and friendships.
But in sporting terms there surely is. That thin line on the map that traces east to west forms the demarcation point between the two East Anglain footballing giants; Norwich City and Ipswich Town.
League victors, cup-winners, and promotion-winners both, they share an illustrious history. What separates them is more difficult to define; a geograpical gap of 44 miles, over 100 years of history, and a colourful sense of ‘them and us’.
There remains a tangible sense of difference.
Few players have worn the colours of both sides and trodden that difficult path.
Perhaps you have some memories to share of them in action?
Johnny Miller – Winger
NCFC (1974-76) – 23 apps, 3 goals
ITFC (1968-74) – 51 apps, 2 goals
Peter Morris – Midfielder
NCFC (1974-76) – 66 apps, 1 goal
ITFC (1968-74) – 220 apps, 13 goals
Clive Baker – Goalkeeper
NCFC (1977-84) – 14 apps, 0 goals
ITFC (1992-94) – 48 apps, 0 goals
Clive Woods – Midfielder
NCFC (1980) – 32 apps, 4 goals
ITFC (1969-80) – 267 apps, 24 goals
Keith Bertschin – Forward
NCFC (1981-84) – 138 apps, 38 goals
ITFC (1973-77) – 33 apps, 8 goals
John Deehan – Forward
NCFC (1981-86) – 162 apps, 62 goals
ITFC (1986-88) – 49 apps, 11 goals
Trevor Putney – Midfielder
NCFC (1986-89) – 82 apps, 9 goals
ITFC (1980-86) – 103 apps, 8 goals
Louis Donowa – Midfielder
NCFC (1982-86) – 81 apps, 15 goals
ITFC (1989-90) – 30 apps, 2 goals
Andy Marshall (Goalkeeper)
NCFC (1994-2001) – 195 apps, 0 goals
ITFC (2001-04) – 53 apps, 0 goals
David Healy – Forward
NCFC (2003) – 14 apps, 2 goals
ITFC (2010) – 12 apps, 1 goal
Kevin Lisbie – Forward
NCFC (2005) – 6 apps, 1 goal
ITFC (2008-11) – 45 apps, 7 goals
Alan Lee – Forward
NCFC (2009) – 7 apps, 2 goals
ITFC (2006-08 & 2014) – 110 apps, 34 goals
Jordan Rhodes – Forward
NCFC (2018-19) – 36 apps, 9 goals
ITFC (2007-09) – 10 apps, 1 goal
And not forgetting Joe Royle who played for Norwich (1980-82) (47 apps, 10 goals), before managing Ipswich (2002-06); and Bryan Hamilton who played for Ipswich (1971-76) (153 apps, 43 goals), before managing Norwich (2000).
And of course Paul Lambert, who managed both; Norwich (2009-12), and Ipswich (since 2018).
Perhaps, with the current state of the world, it’s a good time to set aside old rivalries – at least temporarily – and pull together so everybody gets the help they need in these troubled times.
Maybe, just maybe, it is possible for a time to be Green and Yellow and Blue and White.
Good health, happiness, and security to you all.
Hi Chris.
You’ve [kind of] missed one out – Ian Crook!!!
He signed for the Binners, was pictured holding the obligatory shirt [yuck] but as I sort of recall Mike Walker came back and overturned the deal which hadn’t been legally completed. Something like that anyway.
Memories fond and otherwise in your list:-)
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Yes, of course, Martin! I’d completely forgotten about that. Dear ol’ Chippy.
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Bobby Bell – our first ever loan player
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Hi Barry. Good call. A quick internet search showed he also won the Superbowl with Kansas City Chiefs in 1970 until I realised that was a different Bobby Bell. Interestingly, our Bobby Bell did go on to play in the US, albeit in the soccer league with Fort Lauderdale.
Bobby Bell played for Ipswich 1968-71 and, as you rightfully say, spent a short time on loan at Norwich during 1972 (the promotion season).
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Tom Adeyemi, though his career seems to have ground to a halt now.
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Hi Keith. Tom had a lot to offer and was full of promise. Although not quite cutting it at the top level, he’s carved out a decent enough career in the Championship, League 1, and League 2.
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Good one Keith.
I met Tom once – he and my daughter both went to the Norwich School and although she was based at Newmarket Road and Tom in the Cathedral School there was an element of location interchange and they kind of vaguely knew each other.
The most atypical footballer imaginable and a really lovely guy. He would have been around 15/16 at the time but doubtless already on our books at that stage.
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Seems you lot pick up most of of left overs like the vultures which are Scavenger birds lol. And love it the comment about both cup winners what the milk cup…. I’m rolling with laughter
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Now, can I remember whom we beat in the semi-final?
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Despite the turmoil in the world at the moment there is no room to be blue and white for me
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