When I was around eight or nine one of my favourite attractions was Woolies in the High Street.
In my case, that was Ilford High Road but I guess for many MFW readers the equivalent would have been on Rampant Horse Street [which Mrs P remembers but I do not] and later St Stephens Street where I took my own kids in the 1990s.
And why? Because of the Pick ‘n’ Mix sweets of course. Staff would always turn a blind eye to littl’uns “sampling” the goods as long as we filled a gaudy paper bag and took it to the till at the exit. You knew what you were getting with shrimps, bananas, blackjacks, fruit salads and Quality Street misshapes but there’d always be something you’d never seen before that looked worth a try.
A bit like our pre-season mini-tour of Germany really.
I’ve never known anything quite like it.
Traditionally, I have always been to at least one pre-season fixture, be it at Carrow Road, Emerald Park, Kenilworth Road, or whatever Cambridge United call the Abbey Stadium these days. Not this time around of course.
But strangely I’ve seen more of us this pre-season than ever thanks to streaming and huge thanks are due to NCFC Official, our three German opponents and indeed the Pink Un for arranging/publicising this coverage without us having to over-actively seek it out for ourselves. I even managed to see four of our six goals against Russ Martin’s MK Dons.
SC Verl? Clean sheet, quite impressive and played in what seemed to be a great spirit by both sides. Not the most exciting match we will ever observe but a nice gentle start to the tour.
Thus on to Dynamo Dresden which gave us the satisfaction of seeing Teemu Pukki net in the first half and Jordan Hugill in the second. Daniel Farke has stressed the importance of his strikers conjuring 30 goals between them this season so that must have made him – and us supporters – extremely pleased bunny rabbits.
This particular game caused me to lose a kind of match experience virginity. I have sometimes listened to football commentary in Spanish, which I can just about keep up with during the slower passages of play, but never before in German. I know a few words of that language but nowhere near enough to understand much of what the guy was saying.
But moving on to SV Darmstadt [version one] I kept the sound on and, while I didn’t understand any more than against Dresden, you could feel the vibe of the commentator on this one. Obviously part of the Darmstadt set-up in some capacity, he was full of praise for us and I swear he was speaking more about our players than his own.
Then my cosy little bubble got to the point of bursting. Cruising at 3-0 in what was a more competitive game than I had expected and provided a brilliant dead ball strike from young Josh Martin, you guessed it. Along come Norwich.
A howler from Tim Krul was quickly followed by a typical Norwich moment. A cross from the right, Ben Godfrey and Alex Tettey are triple social distancing and there’s a free header at the near post.
One of my mates mailed to say *better for that to happen in pre-season* but it has been happening for so many active seasons now I doubt it will ever be eradicated in my lifetime, however long that might be.
The very low-key referee sort of reminded me of Eddie Howe in both looks and demeanour for what little that’s worth.
Darmstadt [mark II] was one of the most boring matches I have ever witnessed. Both sides were lucky to get nil, so I turned my eye to the surroundings.
The Darmstadt training ground looked absolutely beautiful with its low-level forest trees, intriguing arched-window building to the left side of the camera angle and those dotted around the perimeter who were obviously nothing to do with either football club.
There were no quadrants marked by the corner flags and the [I guess] aluminium goal frames looked a bit strange.
Herr Farke used a few choice words at times in both German and English. Nothing wrong with that of course.
And at tour’s end what can we conclude?
Josh Martin seems to have bulked up a bit and really looked good. Max Aarons might be on his way but if he is he didn’t show it and I’d say the same for Jamal Lewis and Godfrey. Todd Cantwell too would fall into that category.
Young keeper Daniel Barden seems cool, calm, collected and confident. And good with the ball at his feet too. Both Oliver Skipp and Kieran Dowell acquitted themselves very nicely thank you.
And after the Darmstadt double-header, Farke said that both Emi and Onel had very minor injuries and “should be back for Luton” in the League Cup, which with 16 players away on international duty we will surely treat as the last friendly of pre-season.
I’m sure all MFW readers will have their own ideas on but I’ll stick my neck out with a starting XI to face Huddersfield on September 12.
Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Lewis, Skipp, McLean, Dowell, Hernandez, Cantwell, Pukki.
That’s what I’ve put in my Woolworths pick ‘n mix bag folks. How about you?
Morning, Martin. A lovely read and a nice reminisce about Woolies. I still remember the shock when it ‘went’ during the global recession. The first of the big boys to do so, if I recall correctly.
I’m very pleased with the signings, but still think we need a decent CB. Tettey is admirable, but not up to being battered about week in week out in that position. With the delicacies of Hanley and the on-going speculation on Godfrey, I think I’d sleep a little easier with another CB in-situ.
Can’t argue with your starting line up. I wonder, if we get off to a flying start, how long it’ll take Emi to displace another.
We have a great looking bench, the strongest I can recall for a long time.
And just imagine if we kept hold of the fab five….
Morning Martin MacB.
Yes the demise of Woolies was a shock and they were indeed just about the first of the giants to go under from what I can recall.
On the thinnest of paper the roster of Zimmermann, Godfrey, Klose and Hanley doesn’t look too bad but the last two are ridiculously injury prone. Klose’s knee went again on tour but to what extent I do not know. And young Akin Famewo is injured too for what it’s worth.
As you say, add in the possible sale of Godfrey and we’d be back with Zimbo and Tettey going through the mill match in, match out.
Why they are so reluctant to recruit in this position I simply cannot fathom.
All the best for [I guess] tomorrow.
Morning Martin. I don’t know what was the best bit of your summary. The Pick and Mix, the number of clean sheets pre season, the ease in which the new signings have settled in?
A positive start so far, but the true test is yet to come.
Norwich did very well on several pitches that were not suited to free flowing football. So I am hopeful
that when we start to play on ‘professional’ playing surfaces things can only improve.
If we are able to keep hold of the ‘fab’ five, then the pressure for first team football can only benefit the team.
OTBC. A good season ahead!
Hi Alan
You’re spot on – the true test begins on September 12 in Yorkshire of course.
You also make a good point about the standard of the pitches. From what I saw the Dresden example was particularly bad and nobody would have fancied a double header on that surface, including the Germans.
I think our collective pre-season positivity is in position for sure.
I just wish we had proper cover at CB – that’s my only doubt just now.
Cheers.
A good early morning bank holiday read Martin! I’m sure many of the ‘older’ generation have very fond memories of Woolies as the best shop in Norwich (now M&S). I for one am not disappointed that we are back in the Championship and it look likes Messrs Webber and Farke have assembled a fantastic squad (stronger than last season) but as you point out there remains one glaring weakness – Centre Back. This has been our Achilles heel for far too long and I am amazed and frustrated as to why the blindingly obvious has failed to be addressed.
Hi Glen
Re Centre Back: “This has been our Achilles heel for far too long and I am amazed and frustrated as to why the blindingly obvious has failed to be addressed.”
I doubt we could find anyone in the Canary nation to disagree with you on that.
As for the old Woolies, Sue asks if you remember the Café at the top with the view down onto the cheese counter. She tells me in the 60s/70s it was the major meeting place for young teens from all over the City.
Thanks a lot.
Excellent choice of heading for today’s article – (courtesy of Mr G??). My goodness, who doesn’t remember the Pick ‘n’ Mix options in Woolworths??
It was interesting to read the positives at the end of Gary’s article yesterday and I’m certainly looking forward to the new season and it does appear that the despondency that surrounded our dismal surrender after Project Restart may well have been dispelled
It’s refreshing to see that the new players seem to have fitted in seamlessly and are raring to go. I’m sure I’m not alone in still wanting us to recruit a CB in the mould of Hugill up front.
Having seen Josh Martin’s free kick technique on Saturday, could he become the new JM and a replacement for the previous one (aka James Maddison) – only time will tell.
Dear oh dear – defence switching off and as you say, it has cost us so many goals over several seasons and I can’t see that costly error being eradicated any time soon.
Might we see Pukki plundering goals again? I certainly hope so and it would be great to see several of the other outfield players finding the back of the green and yellow net (or whatever colour is used at away grounds) on a regular basis.
Well, well – our ’friends’ at Sky have decided that our game away to the Cherries should be televised, but at least there no issue with no consideration to away fans on this occasion
So, it’s off to Luton on Saturday, with a very strange line-up due to several players being way on International Duty – let’s just hope that none of them come back injured.
As for your starting 11 for our trip to the John Smith Stadium- I would be surprised if you’re quite close to it, though I can see the option of starting with Hugill up front to ‘soften up’ the defenders and give Pukki the last 30 minutes or so.
Morning Ed
Gary does the headlines and as I’ve said to other folks before we’re both pretty happy about that arrangement!
I’ll say to you exactly the same as I did to everybody above – it’s funny how we ALL agree on the need for at least a Centre Back, isn’t it?
Trying to guess a line-up for Luton is virtually impossible which is why I moved mine on to Huddersfield. Barden, Hugill, Zimbo, Tetts, Mumba and Onel all come to mind but I’m beggared if I know what the team will be. You’re on the bench as cover for Tetts and I’m back-up for Barden.
Seriously the game is meaningless [although not for Luton] so I’m not too fussed.
Thanks as always.
Marty, my childhood memories of sweeties go back to the days of sweet rationing. Saturday afternoons going to the 6d ‘rush’ at the Capital on Aylsham Road. The sweet shop was opposite the cinema, lots of big jars to tempt you but never enough coupons or money to be able to select every thing you wanted. So just like footy really. The bag of ‘Allsorts’ we have at the moment seem to lack the coconut one (Bertie’s head). A big strong head in central defence. So we’ll just have to suck our sherbet lemons and hope for the best.
Hi Cutty
That’s a fine analogy if I might make so bold.
I sometimes wonder whether Sean Raggett might have been retained as “Bertie’s head” but obviously Farke wasn’t happy with his skills on the deck so Pompey seem to have got themselves a decent piece of confectionary on a free – as we all did at the Pick ‘n’ Mix, of course.
Hopefully us supporters won’t have to cope with too many sherbet lemon moments this season – trust me to feel optimistic when I’ll be unlikely to get to a game this side of Christmas as I’m not prepared to be part of a 20% capacity crowd. It just couldn’t be the same.
Cheers ole pal.
I’d like to comment but unfortunately my brain is in lock down. I have as yet failed to get over the shock to my nervous system caused by the blue ( sorry petrol ) colour for our away kit ! Good read tho’
Hi TMS
I’m still in a similar state of incredulity about the away kit. Some folks claim to be slowly coming round to the concept but like you I am not amongst them.
We might just get away with wearing it at Huddersfield but Brum will be a definite no-no as will Cardiff and Wycombe.
Thanks
My memories of 60s shops include Curls, now Debenhams where I managed to fall over in the gents and cut my head open, Smiths opening up on St Stephens Street and Littlewoods being built (is it now Primark. not sure?) But strangely I don’t remember Woolies being on RH St. If it’s now part of M&S does that explain why the modern M&S is such an odd higgledy-piggledy layout?
I personally established a firm connection between Lamberts sweet shop in London Street and Mr Castle the dentist on PoW Rd. A lot of pineapple chunks and lemon sherbets were involved.
As for Saturday’s team I’ve totally lost track of who’s actually available.
Very disappointed not to be able to go to Huddersfield. Went there in our League One season. They had chip butty as an option in the food outlets, and welcomed us with our own set of programmes specially printed with a yellow cover. Of course this might have been to make it easier to spot those of us not wearing colours on the way back to the station…. They were genuinely welcoming, as are Sheff Weds; a shame the Blades can’t follow suit.
Wooley’s was next door to M&S, and when Marks took on after Wooley’s closed, the floors were different heights, hence the odd layout now, with short flights of steps from one building to the next. Wooley’s upper floor was a mezzanine, and you could look down through the “hole” to the lower floor. Marks had to do some major work to fill it in. I think it then made this Marks the third biggest for floor space in the country.
No idea who’ll play at Luton, but I’ll clean my boots just in case!
Hi Jim
As I said to Ed above, he’s covering Tettey, I’ll be digging out the old Sondico gloves in case Barden comes a cropper and I guess you’ll have to be ready to come on as a striker if Hugill’s blowing chunks.
Smitz [below] has come up with a pretty decent XI.
Thanks for the definitive on the Woolies/M&S thing 🙂
Hi Keith
There’s a few things in there for me to pick out!
I moved to Norfolk [Blofield] around 1988 so my memories before then are very patchy but Sue – the archetypal born ‘n’ bred City girl – remembers Curls too but never knowingly entered the gents, let alone cutting her head whilst in there.
I know C&A became Next and I think you are right about Littlewoods becoming Primark. Apparently Woolies moved from the now M&S building to what was Sainsburys on St Stephens. Plus ca change and all that. after the latter new-built at Brazen Gate in St Anne’s.
Forecasting the Luton line-up is frankly impossible so I haven’t attempted it. Some brave MFW soul might during the week but it won’t be me.
Your Yorkshire experiences are much akin to my own, particularly regarding your Owls/Blades comments. Boro [c’mon, they’re Yorkies really] were great and so were the Bradford crowd. Boro were also terrific at Wembley before, during and after Alex Neil’s finest hour. I’ve never been to Huddersfield but I quite believe you.
Thanks as ever.
Hi Martin
A good read and Woolies my favourite was the Hot Peanuts and buy the cheap records that were not original singers.
CB living up ere in the north and not so far from Burnley no one can’t believe how crap it has gone for Gibson one Neighbour has said he was protect at Middlesbrough by his Uncle and was untouchable when he was transferred he just wasn’t up to it and soon found out by Dyce, he has been told to stay away till his situation is sorted so is training on Tee side, my question is would he up set a dressing room like cities???
Krul a great shot stopper but poor kicking and loses track of the ball at times, most keeper shout a their defenders when they see danger but at time he lacks that foresight of seeing problems occurring reacts to late which also makes the CB hesitate and yesterday was a prime example of no communication between the defence.
The silly season finishes on the 5th October for international transfers then 2 weeks of domestic deals can be done thise last 2 weeks could be the crunch time when clubs try to steal players that will be the danger time for our fab4, EMI might go abroad before then unless LIVARPOOL make a low offer as Leeds are spending big but have covered his slot.
Last thing on Burnley Dyce has said they will lose £50m and out going players will need to cover that money so no one will leave on the cheap or for less than their own valuation
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
Hi Alex
Yeah I remember the cheap *Top of the Pops* rip-off albums too. The ones with the covers that would be considered sexist today. I never bought one though! In fact for the music I liked it was a specialist shop like Guy Norris in Gants Hill who would have a great stock of hard rock/metal/prog and if they didn’t have what you wanted they’d order it in. Dunno what it was like in Norwich back in the early 70s but I’m sure there would have been a similar shop. Maybe Andy’s was going even then?
I can forgive Krul anything really but you might have a very valid point about Ben Gibson. There’s nothing ostensibly happening on that front anyway.
Interesting to see Spurs have signed a RB that isn’t Aarons. Yes the final couple of weeks of the window will be, erm, interesting and January will not be far away after that.
Bring on the Aussies 🙂
Let’s have a great win tomorrow to send the Pakistanis home deflated and then turn the Aussies over.
Still rumours that Spurs want to sell Carter Vickers for £1.5/2m so really not a gamble for any club and he is doing well in there pre season, Jose said Aaron was to small as a defender in his style of football
As we’ve said before I’d take Carter-Vickers in a shot and right now in front of what might be a Gibson who may not be sure where his head is at.
The best of fair play to WI, Pakistan and now Oz for coming over this summer and the first two have given us full value.
I’m sure Australia will do the same!
Another good read Mr P. I managed to watch the live streams from Germany. I did think that the last two games were played at Hotel Residence Klosterpforte City’s base.
Never been a great one for friendlies, unless the team visiting is worth a look, ones that we will never probably see again. They are for fitness and seeing how players gel together. After the time these players have been together last season and before. The same mistakes made time and time again., is puzzling.. Come on coaching, buy someone who can play that way, or change the system. We are facing a 4th season of goals flooding in.
The stupidity of the League Cup (buggar the sponsors) being played during an international break is crazy, also having internationals at this point is equally stupid. City have 16 away, you just have to hope injuries are at a minimum I would not mind if we did not bother too much about this cup, the big test will be the following week , we need a decent start
Hi Lad
A decent start? Can’t remember the last one of those we had!
I’m sure we’ll treat the League Cup with the respect it deserves if you know what I mean. And as for a fourth season of the GA column being a large one I fear you are all too right – unless we can get in a CB who has the gifts of fitness and experience.
As for the venue of the SVD games I’ve had a quick google but can’t find out where they were actually played. I naturally assumed it would have been the Darmstadt training ground but you might well be right. We were *away* anyway 🙂
Thanks as ever
We all should already know a dependable CB is being sought by the club. Upgrades on the squad don’t tend to come cheap and negotiations tend to be protracted. No point in doing a quick deal for a lacklustre CB just for the sake of getting the numbers in. We’re going to have to be a bit patient on this one.
I’m afraid that any amount of top level coaching won’t eradicate momentary shortcomings in technique or lapses in concentration. It’s just too easy and a tad lazy to blame those types of concessions on poor coaching.
Team for Luton (based on my incomplete knowledge) : Barden; Mumba; Zimmerman; Klose; Quintilla; Tettey; Rupp; Martin; Stieperman; Hernandez; Hugill
Hi Smitz
Patience in the CB recruitment area has worn a bit thin with most of us over the last three seasons but I agree you make a very reasonable point about not getting in the first Tom, Dick or Heinrich that comes along.
Your Luton team looks a very good shout to me.
I’d love to know who you’d select for the bench 🙂
Thanks
Hi Martin,
Bench sitters is a real tricky one. I think we still have McCallum, Vrancic, Thomas, McCracken possibly Sitti available to us. Assume Hanley and Famewo won’t be fit enough to make the bench. I’ve lost track of what’s happening with Charlie Gilmour. Perhaps Matthew Dennis might make it? In summary, how unfair it is to be making us fulfill the fixture…it puts a large potential stumbling block on the road to a smooth transition into the Huddersfield fixture.
Cheers
Yeah we were extremely unfortunate to be dragged into this round of the competition and that’s for sure.
Charlie Gilmour is definitely on my personal missing list but to my knowledge hasn’t been loaned out. Those who claim to be in the know [not me] reckon that Sam McCallum will be loaned out but only if/when we lose Jamal.
McCracken will surely be sub keeper or we’ll have to get Sutchy out of his estate agent’s suit for the afternoon! Dennis and the RB Thomas are strong possibilities too.
It’ll be one interesting teamsheet and that’s for sure!
Gilmore injured apparently whenever he played last.Still recovering. According to Michael Bailey that is.
Thanks for that Richard. Gilmour’s ex-Arsenal and rumour has it he sold the club very well to Matthew Dennis before he signed as both are ex-Arsenal of course.
Good stuff Martin;
I have to concur with “Lad” that the last 2 games were at City’s training base…at least from what I could make out on my lap-top screen.
I knew the manager at M&S when they bought Woolies in Rampant Horse Street. M&S had been after it for years, and he had a big circle marked in his office on the wall between the two premises where he told me they would be “breaking through”. Almost as soon as the deal was concluded he took early retirement so missed out on the fun and games, not to say dust!!! And I’ll raise your good lady’s Curls store to Bonds on All Saints Green, and of course Garlands in London Street.
As for the football, a decent pre-season, but don’t forget that Gunny was unbeaten in his.
We desperately need strengthening at CB, and now that Spurs have signed their RB, I’d not be too surprised to see Max Aarons going to Wolves…although he might need a Portugese passport!
O T B C
Hi John
I guess that along with Lad you’ve put the location of the SVD matches to bed. I didn’t previously see that particular view of our training camp so I’ve got a smidgeon of an excuse. It looked a lovely place anyway.
I like the way Wolves play tbh and think Max could fit with them really well – and as you allude to he would certainly aid their home-grown quota. As for the lingo it’s pretty universal amongst players – eg English – but as my mate Andy who spent years in the Brazilian offshore industry said: Portuguese might sound like Spanish, but it isn’t! Oh well if they’ve got around £17m plus a further £3m in add-ons that one could be a goer.
Bonds remained just such well into the 1990s and everybody we know still refers to it as that and probably always will. And I [just about] remember Garlands which Habitat eventually took over of course.
I even had a beer in the Fruiterers in that locale before it shut forever.
Thanks – nice comment.
My wife gives me a rollicking every time I call it Bonds! I still do, though! Garlands had a big fire not long before they closed up (totally unrelated, I’m sure), round about 1979/80 I think. Here endeth my history lesson!
Sorry about all the local commercial history – I always sit on a garden bench having a smoke [not that kind] and at some point a theme comes to mind.
Mind you it shows how many of us on MFW like to air our memories
Sue says you’re spot on about the date of the Garlands fire.
Funny how these incidents appear to happen at *convenient* times, isn’t it?
Aaron to Wolves looks a good call but then I was of the opinion that Lewis would be off to Leicester and Cantwell to Aston Villa and lastly Rio convincing ManU to sign Godfrey
So I surely have no idea lol
You my friend are not alone. We’re all in the dark.
Probably even Webber just now!
Ah, first self service cafeteria I went to was at Woollies , and it was upstairs, very impressive when you’re six.
Now for Luton in a loose 4,3,3.
Barden, Mumba , Zimmermann, Klose , Quintilla, Dowell, Tettey, McCullum, Martin , Hugil , Hernandez..
Hi Bernie
Interesting Luton selection and you’re only three away from Smitz [above} so you can see why I’m not brave enough to have a go!
I didn’t realise the self-service Woolies was there in 1938 🙂
Cheers mate
Good stuff, Martin.
I had two weeks one summer working in Yarmouth Woolies. The first week was in the electrical section at the back – quiet and easy, but time dragged interminably. The second was on the pick-n-mix sweet counter at the front – rushed off our feet and much happier.
Your starting XI for Huddersfield looks optimistic in the sense of including four of our ‘big five’: Aarons, Lewis, Godfrey and Cantwell. Only Buendia’s missing. It’s nice to think some of them will be staying, but we must surely expect a couple of departures.
Norwich is as well run financially as any club could be without a super-rich owner. But we have to adjust for the costs of relegation and Covid. If we weren’t going to sell a couple of our key assets, we surely wouldn’t be spending as we are on new acquisitions.
Hi Stew
My optimism surrounding the retention of the “big five” is not quite what it seems!
When we play Huddersfield it will be September 12 of course, and I expect four of said big five to still be with us on that date. But maybe not at the end of the window!
Of course we’re going to sell a couple but something tells me it will be later rather than sooner in this particular window. Max and Ben were my early favourites for departure but I’ve now switched to Jamal and, specifically, Emi.
For what it’s worth Emi, obviously, is suspended for the Terriers game but I wouldn’t have selected him anyway.
I can’t believe how much Yarmouth has changed over the 40+ years I’ve known it. I couldn’t take it in when Palmers went under [well I could really but it was still a bit of a shock]. Possibly the last bastion of a disappearing era.
Thanks as ever
Good read but very concerned that we are still unable to acquire decent central defenders. Ben Gibson’s and Alfie Mawson’s values/wages appear too steep and therefore would have thought Rob Dickie of Oxford was worth a pun particularly considering how well he lead them into the play-off final and has shown plenty of potential. However it seems he is now on his way to QPR. We seem to have missed out here and badly need to address this area if we want to be considered serious Championship contenders!
Hi EJ
I think we almost universally share your central defensive concerns.
That glorious promotion season tended to mask the frailties in defence which which were ruthlessly exposed in the PL, injuries notwithstanding.
The lad Dickie was linked with almost every club in the Championship recently – I’ve never seen him play so can’t really judge. As with Alex B [above] the one I’d like to see is Cameron Carter-Vickers from Spurs.
Thanks