As Norwich City supporters, we all have our own favourite players. It’s natural and something we share with fans of each of the other 91 clubs currently playing in the Premier League and EFL***.
In the past my personal preferences have included Kevin Keelan, Mark Bowen, Robert Fleck and Darren Huckerby [plus Wes and Holty latterly of course] and I would actively defy any one of our MFW readers to say these are poor choices, he he.
But what of now, what of right now? Emi Buendia, Teemu Pukki and Tim Krul would surely register extremely highly on our collective list of favourites, and I suspect that Grant Hanley and Ollie Skipp wouldn’t be very far behind them. The choice for this year’s Barry Butler will involve all five of them to a greater or lesser degree. I’ve cast my vote – dunno who you good folks chose!
However, the purpose of this article is to highlight and appreciate somebody who has never won POTS and has never really stood out on matchday but is one of the finest willing servants Norwich City Football Club has ever had the privilege of employing.
Yes it’s you, Alexander Banor Tettey, all 35 years young of you.
Signed from Rennes in 2012 for a rumoured £1million plus add-ons, Tettey racked up 34 caps for Norway and made his professional debut for Rosenborg back in 2003. No for once that’s not a typo from myself – it really was 2003.
Longevity has been his strong point.
We will all have our memories of *Tetts* so I’ll share a few of my own.
Firstly, he gently pointed out that his name was pronounced *Tett-ay* rather than *Tett-ee* to the media. If Max Aarons thought he was the original surname definer, he was wrong.
Then there was the toe-poke from distance against Man Utd, preceded by the mother of all thunderb@stards against Sunderland. As I write Tettey has scored just seven times in 242 games in a yellow shirt but it’s quite a tribute to him that two of them are surely indelibly stamped on our collective memory.
He also was part of a makeshift centre-back pairing with Ibrahim Amadou when we had the sheer audacity to beat Man City 3-2 on that famous occasion in the autumn of 2019. But what I didn’t realise until I did a naughty [but very rare for me] google is that he also came on as a late sub in 2013 when we beat the same side by the same score at the Etihad.
When he performed an impromptu jig with Kei Kamara after the latter had scored against Everton, I’d never seen an impromptu celebration like it and probably never will again. It was pure joy to watch.
During these crazy times of iFollow, Sky if we’re lucky and everything being played out behind closed doors, Tetts has been reduced to five or ten minute cameos but before that tracky top comes off you can hear him bellowing criticism and encouragement in equal measure from the sidelines.
What a coach he might well become, but he very recently did an interview with the Norwegian media that suggests it might not be with us – at least not to start with, anyway.
“I’m not waiting for anything. The family and I will move to Trondheim this summer”, he said. “If the club [Norwich City] wants me for another year, I have to consider it with my wife. The plan is to start a new life in Trondheim. It will be a tough habit for both the kids, aged two and soon seven, who have never lived in Norway, and me too, who has not lived there for a long time”.
As for joining the NCFC coaching staff Tettey added: “No, it has not been a topic, but it is something I can imagine in the future. The plan is to take a coaching course where I am. I have not talked to Rosenborg about anything, but it would be nice if they could help me”.
So this excellent fella who has previously declared that he wouldn’t hang around for a further year in an effort to gain a testimonial he doesn’t really want, may well be one that will never again grace Carrow Road as a player before we are allowed back into the ground.
Stay another year Alex mate and you’d be welcome [which I wouldn’t say to many players] but I guess you won’t so I’ll end with this.
Alex Tettey: he asked for no quarter and gave no quarter.
And was one heck of a dude.
***subject to resurrected E$L greed
Long-service awards in football are an ever increasing rarity. Congratulations and best wishes to AT and family wherever and whenever they go.
Hi Chris
Absolutely. I can only think of three this century: Wes, Adam Drury and Tim Sheppard.
Cheers
Craig Fleming too.
Hi FAST
I’d completely forgotten about *One F in’ Fleming – probably because for some reason I didn’t go. Went to the other three though – Tim Sheppard’s was really good: the Celtic fans were brilliant.
Thanks!
Morning Martin. I too went Tim Shepard’s testimonial towards the end of my final sojourn in the Fine City.
I absolutely loved seeing all the players come on and as you rightly say, the Celtic fans were brilliant (and in their numbers!).
Favourite highlight, sitting behind Bryan Gunn in the Lower Barclay, when he put 2 fingers up on one hand, and zero on the other…..
Hi Martin
The Celtic lads took over many City pubs that day. We were in the Garnet with a few of them and trading songs.
We did *Whisky in the Jar* and they came back with a much better version than ours. It probably helped that all of them knew the words of course!
A great occasion indeed.
Too easily dismissed by those who don’t know, but he has been a fine servant for the club. And clearly one of those characters who is ‘good to have around’. If he is to go, it would be good if he and the fans had the opportunity to say goodbye properly.
Hi Scott
Very true.
We never had a proper chance to say goodbye to Hucks either of course but as he’s been involved with the club in several capacities and lives locally it doesn’t really seem like he’s ever been too far away.
Thanks
A great servant of the club. Never seems to cause a fuss when left out of the side, always seems to have a smile on his face. I think he will be long remembered here, and we’ll miss him when he’s gone.
Thanks for the last nine years, Alex. Good luck for the future, wherever you go.
Well said Jim.
Tettey is a legend but Everton celebration was with Seb Bassong.
Hi Gil
My bad, that one – you’re quite right of course.
Thanks!
Last minute equaliser as I recall at Goodison. I was there with a Toffee, great moment! In fact we’ve had a few good results there in the past 10 years or so
Hi Dan
Yes we have enjoyed some good results at Goodison recently – and then there was the 5-1 in 1993 when Efan Ekoku scored four 🙂
Well said Martin.
I’ve never met the guy, but a couple of years ago on a Sunday morning I’m sure he cycled past me.
It was one of those “I think I know you” moments…….and when he smiled I was sure!
In these times of agents and greed in football, what a superb example he is, and in his case, I do hope that loyalty pays.
I do hope we get the opportunity to give him a proper send-off.
O T B C
Hi John
I’ve never met [nor been cycled past by] Alex Tettey either but your tale reminds me of a couple of occasions on the Ring Road involving very expensive and easily identifiable cars.
Wes with his distinctive number plate at the lights near Roundtree Way – I had the lid down on an MX5 and made mock salaams to him and he laughed, gave a single clap and left me and the Mazda for dead. I think he was driving one of those space-age Peugeot coupes at the time.
Very similar with Holty, this time near Pound Lane Sainsburys. I gave him the thumbs up and he responded with a big grin and did likewise. I dunno if he’s still got said vehicle but it would be worth a small fortune if he has.
Not sure if we will get our chance to express our gratitude to AT. Like you I hope so.
Cheers
Alex Tettey has been fantastic player for us Martin, not in a flashy way but a player who goes out and gives everything in every game.
A 7 or 8 out of 10 in nearly every game. Preston at home a few years ago, by his own admission maybe not !!! but he still scored.
Look at the sheer number of players who have tried to depose him as our top holding midfield player. Lets be honest we still haven’t really replaced him as Olly Skipp is’nt our player.
Alex was pivotal in that first Championship winning season. At times due to the nature of Farkeball he ended up as a third centre half. I remember his performance at home to Middlesborough when they came here top of the league and Alex was brilliant.
That game set the catalyst for the rest of the season.
I hope Alex does stay another season, as unless we get Olly Skipp for another years loan he could still do a job for us.
Also his humour and honesty have been brilliant. See his ” It is I Tett-ay !” on one of the adverts for season tickets !!!
Like you Martin, Alex Tettey joins Kevin Keelan, Mick McGuire, Dave Stringer, Super MacDougall, Ian Crook and many others as one my favourite players over the years.
Whatever you do next, Alex all the very best OTBC.
Hi Tim
*Look at the sheer number of players who have tried to depose him as our top holding midfield player. Lets be honest we still haven’t really replaced him as Olly Skipp is’nt our player.*
That’s one heck of a tribute to a player who deserves it.
It’s great that we all have our own favourites and I really should have mentioned Ian Crook in the article – he was born around 10 miles from me and I should have shown more loyalty 🙂
Cheers
Hi Martin
My all time favourite players include
Jimmy Neighbour
Graham Paddon
Kevin Reeves
Gunny
Keelan
Dave Stringer
As for our modern era then Tettey with both Wes and Hucks, Pukki, Holt Emi top the list.
Managers come and go so for them it has to be Bond, Brown, Stringer Farke I would have added Walker but he made a big fuss to Leave and spoilt it all coming back and doing nothing so did he take Stingers team to the next level his only real success as a manager was his first season’s at city.
I diverge from your excellent piece on Tetts when he first arrived not to many were impressed with Houghton and generally thought it was a waste of money how that changed and over the years there have been a few false dawns for replacements and none lived up to his skill sets and before I get jumped on he isn’t the most attractive player to watch but his skills are doing the dirty work that goes unnoticed in the background.
If this is to be his swansong then all at city owe him a big thankyou and a helping hand to get his badges he will like many other long time servants at city be missed and talked about for a long time ⌛to come.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy 🙏
Hi Alex
Most of your faves I didn’t get to see very often as I was living and working in London then but I’m sure those who did would agree with you.
As for managers, both Stringer and Walker had the gift of working for Chase, so I don’t blame the former for quitting and the latter for engineering a move to Everton.
You’re spot on about Tettey often going unnoticed, but I bet the opposition players noticed him every. single. game. he played in.
I’m pretty sure we’ll help him get his badges but it seems like he wants to begin that procedure at home in Norway so we’ll have to see how it all pans out.
Cheers
Can we still have hope that Tettey will be offered something as McGovern just signed a 2year extension
It’s only a feeling I get reading between the lines of the Norwegian interview but I think AT is in Carlos Teves mode: he wants to go home.
But let’s hope it’s only au revoir.
Timely article for such a fine bloke & great player.
Alex Tettey has certainly been with us through thick and thin without ever, as far as I can recall, bemoaning his lot plus I can only surmise the positive impact he’s had on his team mates throughout his time.
Let’s hope on Saturday AT gets a run out from the bench, (assuming he doesn’t start).
Best wishes AT and thank you.
May be given the pandemic we’ll enter an era where players will remain with clubs longer, I reckon we’ve a good number of the current squad with 100+ appearances wouldn’t it be great to see more players staying and reaching 300-400 games for City. Always remembering Mark Bowen on 399 of course!
Hi Colin
Re the timing I just selfishly wanted to get in before the other MFW writers on one of my favourites so when he spoke to the Norwegian media that was the trigger!
Mark Bowen being left stranded on 399 was unforgiveable in my book. I know the internal atmosphere was pretty toxic at the time but there was no excuse for that.
Something tells me Tetts will get a guard of honour from squad and management after yet another cameo against Reading. With no fans that would be really fitting.
Cheers
I have long thought a previous manager should have got Mark in for an appearance at the end of any season Martin, in a meaningless game for his 400th appearance even if it was for 5 minutes.
If it had been Sheffield Wednesday away May 6th 2018 he would have won the Man of the Match award 😂
Another great guy.
On my MFW biog Mark Bowen is down as my favourite player for a reason – he’s my all-time favourite player 🙂
I never met him which is a shame for me personally but I guess Mark isn’t over-fussed about it!
The kind of bloke that, if you met him, you know you’d like him. His time with us has coincided with some of the most interesting years in the history of the club, like having a season ticket to Alton Towers.
One of my favourite moments was when he interrupted Josh Martin’s post match interview with ‘tell them I’m your dad’
Hi Don
Absolutely spot on.
I don’t recall the Josh Martin incident – I sure would have included it if I had 🙂
Cheers
I saw on the official Twitter account yesterday that it was 3 years to the day since Wes’ last game. Can’t believe it’d been that long. It’s a shame Tettey didn’t make 10 years, a cracking player and could always be called upon when the defense looked wobbly. Great guy.
Hi Dave
I can’t believe that Wes at the age of 997 [he overtook Methusela the other day] has been nominated as POTS for League Two with Cambridge. He won’t win it of course because of his past association with ourselves.
Tettey a great guy? You bet.
Cheers
Wes is in the running 🏃♂️ for Cambridge United player of the season and league 2 so still turning it on
I think it might have been Hughton who said Wes can go on for as long as he wants to. Whoever said it, they were right.
I really hope he gets some meaningful time on the pitch in the last two games of this season. Perhaps even a starting position for the final game.
Hi Tim
That would be very good and very appropriate. Will it happen? If [when] we win on Saturday I wouldn’t be surprised if AT didn’t get a decent runout against Barnsley.
Here’s hoping.
Thanks
Couldn’t resist jumping in om my own article. Barry Butler Memorial Trophy results:
3: Ollie Skipp
2: Grant Hanley
1: EMI BUENDIA
Forget the Council rubbish on May 6, NCFC supporters have already shown they know how to vote.
Never been more deserved, Che.
And a 25-goal striker doesn’t even make the top three?
We don’t care when Ivan Toney inevitably wins the EFL award.
OTBC
Not so sure Toney will win it, Martin, though he’ll get the golden boot. There’s been a lot of Twitter stuff from other clubs fans saying Emi is streets ahead. I know they don’t have a vote, but it’s indicative of general feeling, so I hope the judging panel see it the same way.
Wise words mate, wise words…
Surely buendia will get the award martin. Totally dominated the league.
Mind you, paet of me is hoping farke is denied the manager of the season award just so we can get to see another fantastic teutonic rant, after he’s told us he doesn’t care!
I can’t believe Daniel Farke won’t win the award if we are Champions. It would be the second time that would have happened as Chris Wilder won it in 2019 – for finishing second with Sheffield United!
Hands up, I was wrong – the right player won the award after all.
Congratulations Emi – muy bien 🙂
Hear hear martin. What a pity 27000 plus won’t be in the ground on Saturday to raise the roof when Tettey struts on to the pitch in the 85th minute to a thunderous ovation. Not a dry eye in the house.
Hi Chris
Yes it is a pity indeed. AT will know how much he is appreciated but it would have been good to let him know is person[s].
Cheers
Alex is underestimated by many fans for what he gives to the team. His team mates and managers rate him. Probably the most underestimated player ever. He will be missed.
Hi Colin
You’re quite right of course, but WE don’t underestimate him – most of us anyway!
Cheers