A quick leaf through the Canary archives never fails to pleasantly surprise. Generously stocked with diverse heroes from every age, Norwich City’s history is always a joy to explore. Permit me a moment to share the tales of three such heroes.
This trio all trod the hallowed turf at Carrow Road, were cheered on by the Canary faithful, and wore the yellow shirt with pride. In their own way they pushed back the boundaries in their era and left a mark on us City supporters, the game as a whole, and the world beyond.
Perhaps now’s a good time to offer them a belated return to the spotlight to take a bow and again enjoy our appreciation, applause, and respect.
A FIRST…
Tony Collins – NCFC record: Left-winger, 29 apps, two goals, 1953-55
Anthony ‘Tony’ Norman Collins was born in London in 1926. His professional football career was delayed by the Second World War but he soon caught up, playing for Watford, Norwich City, Torquay, Crystal Palace, and Rochdale. He spent a couple of years at Norwich in the mid-1950s as a left winger, scoring two goals in 29 appearances.
After his playing career Collins moved into coaching, management, and scouting. He was appointed player/manager of Rochdale in June 1960 and renewed his acquaintance with the Canaries by taking Rochdale to the 1962 League Cup final where they met over two legs (with NCFC winning 4-0 on aggregate).
He scouted for several clubs including Bristol City, Leeds United, Manchester United, and England; unearthing players such as Lee Sharpe, Paul McGrath, and Alan Shearer.
Collins was equally notable for being the first person of Black/White British mixed-ethnicity to manage a professional football league club in England.
In 2016, Tony co-authored with his daughter, Sarita an autobiography called Tony Collins: Football Master Spy.
A SECOND…
Sammy Chung – NCFC record: Striker, 48 apps, 9 goals, 1955-57
I must confess a fondness for Sammy Chung. When I was a wee lad, collecting football cards was the thing. I vividy remember buying them from our local rural sweet shop, gloriously colourful little packets of six accompanied by a ghastly thin grey slab of chewing gum, and swapping them at school: ‘Got, got, got, got…’
That first set of football cards included Sammy as he was manager of Wolves at the time. I remember every player and manager collected and have a nostalgic fondness for them all.
Anyway, to Sammy and his career…
Cyril ‘Sammy’ Chung was born in Berkshire in 1932. He started his professional football career in 1953 after completing National Service playing for Reading, Norwich City, and Watford in a 13-year career. Striker Chung cost City £6,000 from Reading and he scored nine goals in 48 games over three seasons from 1954/55 – 1956/57.
Chung started his coaching career in the mid-1960s when still a player at Watford under Bill McGarry. When McGarry left Watford for Ipswich Town he took Sammy with him and they won the second division championship in 1968. From there they moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where they won the League Cup in 1974. After relegation in 1976 McGarry left Wolves and Chung took over the reins, winning promotion back to the first division at the first attempt.
Chung later went on to manage and coach at Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, and Doncaster Rovers. He also had spells abroad in Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and Barbados. Not the worst location to finish a career!
Chung was the second person of Chinese/White British mixed-ethnicity to manage a professional English football league club.
The first – who Chung saw play but never met – was Frank Soo who joined Scunthorpe United as manager in June 1959.
Soo was 21 years older than Chung and played for Stoke City and Luton Town during the 1930s and 1940s. His management career included Padova in Italy, several clubs in Scandinavia, as well as Scunthorpe.
Soo was the first player of Chinese/White British mixed-ethnicity to play in the English football league and the first to play for England – although in unofficial 1940s wartime matches – lining up alongside Stanley Matthews.
But, despite Soo’s extraordinary achievements, Sammy Chung – admittedly due to fond memories, childhood nostalgia, and the NCFC connection – will always be a ‘first’ to me.
AND A LAST…
Jeremy Goss – NCFC record: Midfielder, 188 apps, 14 goals, 1984-96
The date: 30th April 1994
The venue: Anfield
The stand: The legendary all-standing 30,000 capacity Spion Kop
The final home match of the 1993/94 season saw Norwich play away at Liverpool. The Spion Kop at Anfield was the best known football stand in England (after the Barclay!) and it was due to be demolished in the close season to meet new stadium safety recommendations.
But the home fans’ celebrations on the day were subverted as another glorious Jeremy Goss hoof spoilt the party (although the hosts were generous in their appreciation). Goss’s winning strike earned the Canaries an unexpected 1-0 away victory and his goal was the last ever scored in front of that iconic Kop.
But perhaps Gossy can offer us something more than a ‘last’. After all, he was born in Dhekalia, Cyprus in 1965, and later represented Wales internationally. There can’t have been too many Welsh Cypriots – especially regular volleyers of spectacular goals – who’ve graced Carrow Road over the years can there? I’d count that as a ‘first’ too. Good ol’ Gossy. Great bloke.
So, thanks for the memories Jeremy Goss, Sammy Chung, and Tony Collins.
Three of the countless Canary trailblazers who’ve graced Carrow Road.
There have been many. And we salute them all.
OTBC
Hi Chris
An illuminating start to a frosty Mundesley morning.
While I was aware of Sammy Chung I’d never heard of Frank Soo or Tony Collins in my life until now so thanks for the insight.
I know Gossy’s story well and through a miracle I won’t bore you with [I’ve written about it on MFW before] I was actually ON the Kop to witness that goal and 1-0 win,
What a day!
Cheers Martin. Was wandering through the archives and was delighted to find dear old Sammy had a Norwich connection. Tony Collins was new one to me, but a fascinating story. And Gossy… well, say no more! Top bloke. Incidentally all three fellas are still with us as far as I know.
Best wishes and thanks, your comments and articles are always appreciated, MP.
I knew a bit about Sammy Chung’s Norwich connection and he seems like a good man; people talk highly of him where I am now.
Jerrry Goss is, of course, a big name in City’s history. He was available for selection for all 4 home countries plus Cyprus-he would walk into 3 of those countries’ teams if he was playing today. I wonder which he would have gone for?
I didn’t know about Tony Collins’ Norwich connections. Quite a story when you consider the discrimination around at the time, which after this weekend, some Neanderthals seem intent on continuing.
Thanks Don.
Good article, Chris.
Perhaps Martin Penney can confirm – I seem to recall the Liverpool fans singing “You’re supposed to let us win!” after Gossy’s goal? Top man all round, is Jeremy. Sammy I knew of, but not how ground-breaking his career was. Tony is new to me, so thank you for the archive digging.
Yes Chris I can confirm – I was surrounded by quite literally thousands of them but it was a case of smile, smile, smile all match – and then a few tears from the Liverpool guys as they realised they’d never be returning to possibly the most celebrated stand in the world.
I’m so grateful to my old work colleague Fergie who passed me a spare ST from a family member of his who fell ill on the night before. He kind of owed me a work-related favour but I didn’t expect him to pay it back like that! We both had a great time – the result counted for nothing to either side – and from my point of view it was simply a case of being in the right place at the right time to get the invite.
Thank Jeez I was taking pics of a family day at our Huyton site on the Saturday as it would never have happened otherwise.
No, I didn’t wear colours 🙂
Cheers, Chris R.
Thanks Chris R. Much appreciated.
Very Interesting Chris.
I watched the Anton Ferdinand documentary on BBC 1 and it made me realize, as an oldish white man I have no concept as how bad things were for the first wave of BAME players. I can remember being in the midst of racial abuse in the mid seventies and the whole thing sickened me.
I have only witnessed one incident of racism at Carrow Road in many a decade thank god. But that was one too many and though I called it out and tried to find out who the perpetrator was I feel looking back I should have done more.
I cannot Imagine how the players like Clyde Best and Albert Johansson felt, things are definitely better but Anton’s documentary showed how far we have yet to go.
Proof it seems as the booing Millwall fans have got their way and stopped their players and the opposition from taking the knee at their home games.
On a more positive note I was like Martin at Anfield for the last day of the Kop. Sadly at the other end.
To show how times have changed we deserved our 1-0 win but it could have been far bigger as we created many chances that day. In fact it had been some years since I had been away and the way the 2 sets of supporters were mixing actually shocked me.
Different to the mid-seventies that’s for sure !
It was a VERY special day for the Liverpool crowd obviously – not just those on the Kop but each and every one of them.
To this day I cannot believe I was part of it. Looking back, I had no right to be but I wasn’t worried about that at the time!
Thanks Tim. Reasons to be positive I hope.