We Norwich fans have gone through the ringer, haven’t we?
We are holders of (probably) the worst accolade available: the Premier League’s most relegated club. Five times we’ve gone down. Five.
I’ve been around for four of those campaigns so you’d think I’d be used to such disappointment by now. But I’m not. At the beginning of every Premier League season, I proudly boast to my mates (who all support big clubs from the comfort of their sofas – but that’s an argument for another day) how we’ll stay up and defy the usual pre-season predictions of relegation from much of the mainstream media. Except last season, they were all so irritatingly right.
So, out of those five relegated seasons, did we deserve to go down in all of them? And before you come after me with pitchforks and torches, I know a season is 38 games and every team plays the other twice blah, blah, blah. But, hear me out. Have we?
1994/1995 Season
In the last ever Premier League season with 22 teams, only Leicester and Ipswich (some things never change) finished worse off. It was a season that began with so much promise, with us placing as high as seventh by Christmas. But, where did it all go so very wrong?
That summer saw us sell Chris Sutton to eventual champions Blackburn Rovers, while an injury to first-choice and Canary icon Bryan Gunn coincided with a run of one win in 20 games (the win being a 3-0 over Ipswich, if you were interested), saw us dip into the second tier for the first time under the new branding.
We finished five points adrift and 13 draws in all didn’t help our cause.
Final position: 20th (out of 22)
Verdict: Unfortunate.
2004/2005 Season
Ahh, my first true heartbreak. Thanks, Fulham. It took us nine years to bounce back to the top flight and it ultimately proved to be a short stay. A season where it took Nigel Worthington’s squad until matchday 14 to win a Premier League game and a failure to win an away match all campaign proved to be our undoing.
However, it was a credit to a fine end of season run that brought key wins over Newcastle, Manchester United, Charlton and Birmingham that saw us go into the final day hovering above the drop in 17th, but you don’t need me to tell you what happened next.
Final position: 19th
Verdict: Not clinical enough. Slow start and failure to win away cost us.
2013/2014 Season
Now, this season was an interesting one. Having sustained our Premier League status over the past two years with two very respectable mid-table finishes, it seemed in the summer of 2013, we were ready to break into the top half.
Manager Chris Hughton signed Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, Leroy Fer, Nathan Redmond, Gary Hooper and Martin Olsson for considerable outlays and it looked like we were in for a great year when Ricky netted in a 2-2 draw with Everton on the opening day – but of course, he wouldn’t score again until a League Cup tie against Rotherham two years later.
We were towards the bottom for the majority of the season and with a looming end of season run-in against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, the writing was on the wall. Perhaps a strange decision was to sack Hughton with just five games remaining and leave Neil Adams to magic a miracle. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen and we made it relegation number three.
Final position: 18th
Verdict: Needed to be more decisive in decision-making.
2015/2016 Season
We’ve reached the Alex Neil years. After the elation of that Wembley win, we were promoted again after a thrilling Championship season. With less time to prepare for an upcoming campaign than the other two promoted teams, we made just three first-team permanent signings in the summer of that season; Graham Dorrans, Youssouf Mulumbu and Robbie Brady, while letting 15-goal midfielder and Player of the Season Bradley Johnson leave for Derby in the Championship on deadline day.
Although we made a slow start to the season, a Christmas period of three wins from four, including a memorable win over Manchester United at OId Trafford provided cause for optimism. Neil and David McNally spent big trying to keep us up, with Timm Klose, Steven Naismith and Ivo Pinto arriving in multi-million pound deals in January.
However, it was unsuccessful and defeats to Crystal Palace and relegation rivals Sunderland sent us tumbling through the trap door yet again.
Final position: 19th
Verdict: Lack of preparation.
2019/2020 Season
So, we’ve reached the final stop on this relegation tour. A season unlike any other. The longest, most turbulent campaign (I hope) there ever will be. But, cast your mind back 12 months and think about 2018/2019 first. It blew the Championship to smithereens. It oozed class through Emi Buendia; pace from Max Aarons, clinical finishing from Teemu Pukki. And that’s not to mention the supporting cast. But, our Premier League season was poor. It wasn’t near good enough at the end.
It’s easy to say it could have been different with us filling Carrow Road. It’s easy to say it could have been different without VAR and that Pukki goal against Spurs being allowed to stand. It’s easy to say it could have been different if Leno hadn’t pulled off that worldie from McLean’s goal-bound effort in the home draw with Arsenal. See where I’m going with this?
In so many different matches and circumstances, I’m constantly wondering “why are we so unlucky?” Because, to us, we are.
Final position: 20th
Verdict: Not good enough.
It’s been interesting trawling back through seasons gone by and looking at results and thinking “if only we’d have won that game” or “if only we hadn’t conceded there”. But, that’s the life of a football fan. And I’ve come to learn that it’s completely normal and an integral part of the game we love. What is football without fans? A shell of its former glory.
I began this article with the negative of outlining the fact that we are the Premier League’s most relegated club. And as true as that is, it would be amiss of me to not mention we are also the joint-most promoted club too. For every 2019/20 season, there’s a 2018/2019. Supporting Norwich City is a rollercoaster, but I’m not ready for the ride to end.
Nice article. It brought back both the pain and happiness. Personally, I would rather the rollercoaster than supporting a steady but uninspiring team like Burnley or Newcastle.
Thanks, Steve! Completely agree. Wouldn’t change the memories we’ve enjoyed over the past few years!
For me it’s a number of reasons. The chief one being we cannot compete because we do not have enough investment. This last season we discovered that even the poor clubs are strong now from having PL money. For us to stay up needs all of our best players playing well together consistently. Factor in unfair refereeing decisions which favour the biggest clubs and it is a real mountain to climb. There are no ‘basket case’ clubs now ready to come down. It will be interesting to see how the three promoted clubs fare and surely Sheff Utd cannot repeat their season. On top of that you cannot afford to give away cheap goals at set pieces or have short skilful players bullied in every game. A 20 goal a season striker wouldnt hurt either…
Nicely put together, Sean. I’m glad you mentioned the promotions too! The fun in those seasons helps mitigate the missed opportunities, wrong decisions, and downright bad luck of the others.
We’ve had our fair share of bad luck along the way, that’s for sure! Thanks for reading, Chris.
The main problem with regard to our frequent relegations, which incidentally are becoming increasingly more embarrassing each time, is our owners reluctance or inability to invest when we gain promotion.
Unless there is a change at the top we will continue to be disappointed by our premiership performances unless their luck finally runs out and we don’t get promoted as other championship teams with more ambition become harder to beat.
John, be careful what you wish for. Under Ellis Short, Sunderland were relegated with massive costs in player’s wages and other staff costs. The fans thought it was great when Stewart Donald bought the club, seemingly with some wealthy consortium behind him. They’re still in the third tier, deeper in debt, and the fans are looking to get him out and replace him with someone with real money to invest. They are looking at how they can cut costs even more, and their academy is now at risk. It’s not as easy as it sounds!
Delia has admitted that we’ve come close to administration under her ownership.
Why do fans think she is a safe pair of hands?
Well said John.
Having owners that neither invest or attract investment – as is the case with Norwich City – is a wholly pointless exercise.
The dancing with the devil Delia has to do is get promoted every three years or so to keep the ultimately futile ‘self-funding’ model alive.
No relegation is nice – except those fans that wanted it – but last season’s in particular was a total waste of a season.
Thanks IR, I’m surprised the majority of fans don’t recognise the fact that the club is slowly but surely going backwards. At the moment things strike me as only marginally better than under Chase.
Good article, Sean.
You’ve reignited the ghosts of Christmases past….
I’m still scarred by 1994/95. We just needed to sign an experienced goalkeeper and we’d have stayed up. But then we wouldn’t have had the ride we’ve been on – and I’m in full
Agreement, I love every minute of it.
Ha, Martin, I’m glad I wasn’t around for that one. Did the first one hurt the most?
I’m glad you made the final point, that to be relegated that many times means you also have to be promoted in between. There are plenty of clubs who’d like to be in our position, one of them not too far away (though I’m sure they’d deny it, and quote their fabulous “history”).
I’ve always enjoyed roller coasters, and once you accept that we’re never going to be a fixture in the top half a dozen, then at least our ride is interesting, rather than a mid-table fixture that just keeps rolling round the same little circular track.
Absolutely agree, Jim. Important to remember the good times and bad. As you say, we are the envy of a lot of other clubs so it’s essential to keep perspective.
Hi Sean
A cracking read even if completely depressing until the very last par 🙂
Like Martin MacB [above] I still feel the pain of 1994-95 the most – driving two young children to Skeggy for a cheap ‘n’ cheerful family holiday with the old-style Radio 5 on for the entire duration of the journey. The updates of the last 10 minutes from Elland Road did not make for good listening.
Thanks Martin! I thought I’d end with a bit of positivity haha! Sounds like you have very vivid memories, must have been a quiet trip up after that! Can’t believe it took 9 years to go back up…
Good look back, I can go back to the heady days of Ron Saunders, having to pinch ourselves we had made the top table after the sometimes depressing years, with the odd cup victory to hang onto.
Who wouldn,t want to establish ourselves in prem, but being honest the best we could hope for would be bottom to lower middle placings. I know it is a old stone we keep turning over is investment, some point to Van Wolfswinkle, Naismith etc. as investment. If we are honest it was peanuts to what was needed.
While the menality of little Norwich remains under this family, we will never be other than what we are, and never having that final piece.
But what ever I will still be following this club and still enjoy the ride with elations and frustrations
Yes some bad memories there Sean.
The funny thing to me is that the 2018/19 promotion team was probably the more impressive in comparison with Nigel’s excellent side or Mr Lambert’s.
The unluckiest relegation we have ever suffered by far, was in the old First Division in 1985.
We had finished our fixtures but for some reason Coventry City had 3 matches left. They won 2 of their last 3 games and their final game was at home to the Champions Everton.
They won 4-1. It was on a Sunday, which in those days was quite rare. It was absolutely awful.
Everton had been on their post-season tour and it has since emerged years later that many of the Everton players on that day had a rather alcohol scented odour.
As Sky’s millions were not in jeopardy in those days the words “Integrity of The Game” were not mentioned once.
How times have changed.
Oh, Tim, did you have to bring THAT game up?!! It did have one good outcome, after that season, all games have to kick off on the same day, at the same time, for the last game of the season. Sometimes those in power at the top do actually do the right thing once in a while.
Me and Dad were like zombies that day Jim. It certainly put us off our lunch !!!
I didn’t realise it was that game that changed the kick off times for the end of the season final round of games, as you say Jim at least it done some good.
And I suppose the other great outcome was that we walked the Second Division the following season which then began nearly a decade of the best times in our history.
Culminating in putting the present Champion League winners out of the UEFA cup.
Fantastic days.
Hi Sean
An excellent read.
Like others I can go back to the Ron Saunders and John Bond seasons relegation.
Chase sold the family Jewels thinking that the treadmill of talent would continue but 1 player wanted out who is now a pundit.
Worthy well for some reason he let go all our experienced players Robert’s would have scared a few CB and then our CB leave was pure suicide
Houghton even to this day said he would have kept city up just maybe Delia pulled the plug a couple of weeks too early but others say a couple of weeks too late.
Alex Neil after Houghton spent big but his lack of experience hit home and his big Hope’s never turned up for him mostly due to injuries.
Farke well every swinging typewriter hack has had there say on the last season from lack of spending, experience, Injuries and lack of real ambition.
When owners have been there and seen it all and still advocate self funding then you know you are on the worlds biggest roller coaster ride just hang on for the next high as you know there will be a big drop soon after.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
Hi Alex,
Thanks for reading.
Interesting take to see where each of those managers failed. Each had a different approach but unfortunately reached the same outcome.
Your last point about owners is interesting, they’ve been there every step of the way and overseen each attempt too!
Hi Sean
On the owners people that know them says they are genuine supporters that want the best for the club, then state that it will be Tim’s inheritance, sorry that isn’t in the best interest of the club and finally haven’t they seen the errors of their way just doesn’t work for many reasons so either sell or look for some investment to help the club
I hadn’t realised it was that long ago…. I know I should get over it but can’t forgive Everton for that shameful performance. Getting stuffed (again) at Fulham was tough but my WBA pals tell me Portsmouth rolled over.
Now a big believer in what comes around………..Portsmouth, Coventry 🤣🤣🤣