Regular readers of this column probably know more about my dad than they do me. I’ll spare you the details, but in a nutshell, he’s a massive City fan, he’s my hero and this was to have been his last season as a season ticket holder.
He also lives alone (unless you count Ben the Lhasa Apso – named of course after Ben Godfrey), so the lockdown has been a challenge for someone with impaired vision and COPD but who still loves the great outdoors.
It’s been tough… he admits it’s been tough.
Then, at 9:30 on Good Friday morning his phone rang. A familiar voice.
“Morning. Is that Derek Gowers? This is Stuart Webber from Norwich City Football Club. How are you doing?”
Imagine that.
Imagine the shot in the arm that gave him.
Stuart, of course, was afforded the Canary Call ‘my first game was in 1946’ treatment, but was, in Dad’s words, an ‘absolute gentleman’.
Also in Dad’s words: “We’re so lucky to have this bloke in charge”.
And we are.
I’m sure other clubs are doing similar things – despite criticism for all corners, the players and officials within clubs have more than played their part during this pandemic – but at half 9 on the morning of a Bank Holiday? A club’s sporting director?
I may be turning into an old softie, but seeing the lift that small act gave my dad, meant a lot.
In the unlikely event you’re reading this, Stuart – thank you. And I’m sorry about the “I’ve been going since 1946 and …” 🙂
***
I’d intended to use this piece to get stuck into the Premier League and its paymasters over their seeming heartless and cynical obsession over getting the season concluded.
Never has their need to appease shareholders and the billionaire purse holders been laid barer, as they frantically search for a solution that has lives and public health as not top priority.
But Robin Sainty, also of this parish, absolutely nailed it in his EDP column yesterday. It’s here. He also cites writer extraordinaire, John Nicholson, whose book “Can we have our football back?” sets the scene perfectly for what is now unfolding.
Between the pair, there is little left to add, other than to say we can hope the recalibration of the game, which appears inevitable when the dust has settled on this human tragedy, will result in a sport that is not there merely to tip-toe around the Big Six. A game that values clubs equally all way down the chain would be nice.
I know… but I’ve always been a dreamer.
***
I guess it could be perceived as a little odd that City announced the signing of Danel Sinani in the midst of a period where non-playing staff at the club have been furloughed, but looking at even the tiniest bit of detail would have revealed why it was an announcement that had to be made.
For starters, it was a deal that almost happened in January but was, in the end, deferred until the end of the season. Secondly, it’s a free transfer with his wages not kicking until he officially joins the club, And thirdly, it was only when Master Sinani decided to prematurely spill the beans to the Luxembourg press that the club was left with no option but to announce it officially.
But the club has taken potshots aplenty, the latest being Rob Draper from the Daily Mail, who couldn’t resist a City/Sinani reference in his piece on a potential deal between the Premier League and the TV companies.
I can see why the words ‘furloughing’ and ‘new signing’ in the same sentence may induce a reaction, but before castigating the club a modicum of research wouldn’t go amiss. I guess that doesn’t make a story.
***
At this unbelievably difficult time, small nuggets of good news are priceless and to be treasured, but there’s no escaping the bottom line: those around us are dying from a disease for which there is no cure and for which we were clearly ill-prepared.
We crave for normality to return but when it eventually does I fear we’ll barely recognise it. Carrow Road will never be the same, some seats will be empty in the same way there’ll be gaps in our lives.
This is brutal and football seems so insignificant. But I still can’t wait to have it back.
Hang in there people. We will meet again.
During my 40 years of paid employment I always, without fail, adhered to my own unwritten rule: never toady to the boss.
But for the first time in my life I’ll make an exception – great article, Gary.
How heartwarming for your father to get a call from SW. He must have felt like a dog with two, erm, tails. And talking of dogs he’s made a wise choice in Ben the Lhasa Apso – I can barely cope with our terriers at 62, let alone if I were in my mid-80s.
I avoid the Daily Mail so haven’t read the piece Gary mentions but I certainly read Robin’s piece. Even the commentators on the Pink ‘Un site praised it – bullseye indeed.
When we reconvene it will indeed not be the same.
It might, just might, be even better.
PS Gary, can I have a pay rise when this is all over?
Hi Gary
Good read for this Easter Sunday morning with all the sad news that seems never ending.
The sad news today of the Great Sterling Moss having died after a long illness and Greaves still in hospital with complications so my heart felt wishes goes out to both families and I hope Greavies family can have a few more years together.
As with Martin I am so pleased the SW got in contact with your dad and took time out on a day with his own family.
There us a call for clubs furlonging staff that they have a transfer ban, when the game is back there will be much criticism floating around and being a city supporter I am sad to see we have taken up this option, but also understand the long term need for the clubs survival.
Spurs and Newcastle with billionaire owners could have taken it on the chin, and it was reported that Burnley with their owner footing the bill only had 6 months max to survive so how long would city have in that set up 2 months.
Criticism and blame will come from all directions and it will be the survival of the fittest.
Completing the season behind closed doors might get the clubs more TV revenue but will it cover the losses.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
All stay well and safe
Hi Alex.
I was only a tiny when Stirling Moss retired but I do remember him and the likes of John Surtees, Jim Clark and particularly Graham Hill.
Maybe Surtees was the only man to be world champion on both two and four wheels? I never met Moss but Dad did in the 70s [can’t recall where or how] and reckoned he was a great bloke – and a bit of a ladies man as well.
I reckon survival of the fittest is a very poignant phrase to use just now. Something tells me stadium expansion will be off our agenda for some time but we should eventually be okay, unlike the vast majority of the EFL clubs the way things are heading.
It’s okay if you’re a Leeds, Derby or West Brom, but otherwise…….
Take care.
Not sure if you’re right about Derby, Martin. They have an inquiry into the sale of their stadium hanging over them, and I read somewhere last week that they have further financial problems on top of that. Leeds and West Brom may be ok.
Hi Martin
On winning both 2 and 4 wheel championships I thought it was Mike Hawthorne.
Hi Alex.
I was curious so I just googled Surtees – five world championship 500cc bike titles in the late 50s/early 60s and the Formula One world championship in 1964 – driving for Ferrari.
Mike Hawthorne was the first ever F1 British Wirld Champion.
I knew he had some record lol
Lazy reporting from people who know nothing about OUR club is best avoided in my honest opinion. Just because we happen to be in the Premier league they seem to think we’re on equal financial footing to the powerhouses of English football.. Even Shearer realises that it has to judged on a club by club basis.
If you look at the actual figures (from the 2019 accounts) being saved by the club by the furloughing of non-football staff it is comparative peanuts – probably less than £1m in total. This out of a projected income of £120m, which may reduce by a maximum of £15m if the season isn’t completed.
The decision was at best premature and at worst exploitative; but talk of transfer bans is silly as nothing illegal has been done, despite some ministers and some media writing it up badly.
Equally talk of “affordability” is relative. Billionaire owners or millionaire owners; you get to a point where it doesn’t matter much. The scheme was made available to all. I don’t like that NCFC have used it, and I think our executive have made a mistake – I genuinely hope that once Sky confirm they won’t want their money back they will reverse this decision.
So you know when this will all end then? Please let the government know, they’re pulling their hair out.
Seems there is more sad news with the Cat Bonetti passing after a long illness, and a Goodies Tim Brooke-Taylor with Cov-19.
SW seems to judge most things well, I am glad Delia and Michael have trusted him to look after the club. Fantastic that he called your dad; a little bit of unnecessary and unrequested effort is often a great joy and I’m sure you and your dad will never forget it.
I haven’t read Robin’s piece yet but will. If today’s reports are right the broadcasters seem willing to forego their right to a rebate if this season is not completed in return for increased coverage next season and in future seasons. This sounds attractive in the short term but could prove to be a pound of flesh that will be given by football for ever more; I hope their are some wise heads making decisions-perhaps they should consult SW,
Shocking that Rob Draper should mis-represent a situation to such an extent. Surely this is a first for a Daily Mail journalist.
There, not their.
I hate myself
Hope that last sentence was meant to be ironic!!!