If you’ve ever strayed onto the tab entitled THE TEAM at the top of this page, you’ll find a rogues’ gallery of those who write, or have written, for MyFootballWriter. Accompanying said pictures is a mini Q&A, asking the team some generic City-related questions – favourite game, favourite players etc. Nothing very innovative.
In case anyone would like to add their own personal ‘favourites’ to the comments below, the full set of Qs is as follows:
- First Norwich game
- Carrow Road home
- Favourite all-time player
- Favourite current player
- Most memorable game
- Favourite away ground
- Favourite City manager
One of the best answers I received in response to the favourite current player was ‘I don’t have one because I’m not 10-years-old’. Point taken, but anyway…
So, partly inspired by me trying to tidy up the page in question and also Alex B’s nostalgic look at strikers of the past on Wednesday, it got me thinking about players who, along the way, I’ve considered favourites – even after I’d passed the 10-year-old threshold.
These are not necessarily the best players of their day but players who, for reasons that were not always obvious, struck a chord. For someone who’s spent a lifetime of being drawn to the underdog, this list will throw up a few obscure names, but you get the gist…
The early-1970s – when I was under 10 and therefore officially able to declare a favourite player – was, for me, the era of Ken Foggo – a little Scottish (left?) winger who I recall for his trickiness and diminutiveness. For the relatively short time he was joined at City by Jimmy Bone, I desperately wanted to be Scottish.
For the record, I also wanted to be Indian given that the legend that is Kevin Keelan was born in what was then called Calcutta before my dad explained that he wasn’t actually Indian but born in ‘British India’ of a British father who was serving there in the Army.
Colin Suggett was one who fell into the good player category but was still classed as a favourite of a wet-behind-the-ears Gowers Junior, who was yet to grasp the concept of backing an underdog, but that trait properly kicked in when Roger Gibbins arrived at City from Oxford United.
Gibbins, as I recall, was unexceptional in almost every way – although 12 goals in 48 games is, I guess, a decent enough return – but I sensed frustration around me in the River End whenever he had the ball, so of course he had my wholehearted support.
He didn’t hang around in Norfolk for too long but when he left he was kind enough to pass the baton on to a hard-as-nails defender we signed from Orient called Phil Hoadley. Now Hoadley was an okay player, decent even, but achieved hero status in my eyes because every time we played Ipswich he would confront Eric Gates. Remember him?
The pair, as I recall, did nothing to hide their dislike of each other and in more than one local derby went toe-to-toe and exchanged blows – something we all dreamt of doing with Ipswich’s own Albert Steptoe. So, yeah, Hoadley – a top bloke.
Heroes were two a penny in the mid-to-late-80s and early-90s as the club won only its second-ever major trophy and then, after getting relegated at the end of the 1984/85 season and bouncing back the next, embarked on its most successful era ever.
The names flow like a who’s who of Norwich greats but I suspect not many will have Wayne ‘Bertie’ Biggins in their City top ten of that era. But he is in mine. A more unglamorous striker you’ll be hard pushed to find but I loved that about him, even if for the most part he had to play second-fiddle to the excellent Kevin Drinkell.
Biggins was neither big nor quick, nor was he particularly skilful or stealthy, but he was wholehearted and a trier. That he got under the skin of a few in the River End because of his limitations only endeared him to me more. A return of 16 goals in 79 games was about as unexceptional as you can get for a striker but he must have had something about him as Mel Machin took him to Man City upon leaving Carrow Road himself.
And then there was Tim Sherwood…
A good player was the young Tim when Dave Stringer signed him as a 20-year-old from Watford, but in the two-and-bit years he was here he was never loved by the faithful. His swagger and supreme confidence never sat comfortably with many, especially those in the Geoffrey Watling Stand with whom he had more than the odd run-in. He would respond, sometimes verbal, sometimes in cockney semaphore.
I liked him – I thought he was not only a good player but also a feisty character – but I was in the minority and a couple of off-field misdemeanours only served to make his time here even more uncomfortable. He clearly didn’t particularly like Norfolk and the bright lights of Blackburn, when Kenny Dalglish offered them to him on a plate, were just too bright to resist.
When it all started to go pear-shaped for the club in the mid-90s, the anti-heroes were more plentiful than the heroes and I did initially warm to, among others, Carl Bradshaw, who despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Blade of Sheffield added a certain something to the City side. It all went wrong at the end when he was found guilty of assaulting a taxi driver, but I prefer instead to remember him as the bloke who scored the winner at Portman Road in 1994.
Bradshaw wasn’t universally loved even before the incident at Colney but he had a steel about him (no pun intended) and, partly for that reason, had my support while he wore the yellow and green.
The late-90s were notable for not very much in truth but the most left-footed left-back in the history of football – not least because it was a crown he took from me – definitely strike a chord.
And no, I’m not talking about Fernando Derveld or, indeed, that so-called left-winger Raymond de Waard, who were both so far short of being Championship players, even this champion of the underdog couldn’t muster any kind of defence of them.
I speak, of course, of Erik Fuglestad, the slight, slightly delicate, left-back from Norway who blew to pieces the Scandinavian footballing stereotype of being muscular, athletic, big and blond-haired. Erik was blond-haired but instead of being all of those other things, he had a left foot with which he could open a tin of peas. That was good enough for me; that and the fact that quite a lot of City fans thought he was cr@p.
Around that same time, we also had on board a French midfielder by the name of Jean-Yves de Blasiis – a midfielder of some talent but whose time here was blighted by injury. He was a Bruce Rioch purchase and when he played, which wasn’t that much, I thought he was quite good. Again, I was in the minority but I did admire his tenacity.
As the ’90s gave way to the Noughties, and as Bryan Hamilton thankfully gave way to Nigel Worthington, it felt like we were waiting for a hero to emerge from the pack and demand our attention.
Hucks was that man and was one crowd favourite I could definitely get behind although I did find myself out on that limb again when I swore blind I could see something good in Dickson Etuhu. I was pretty much a lone voice in that regard, but less so when being an admirer of the subject of that brilliant ‘Morocco all over the world’ song.
Youssef Safri was not only a great player (and scorer of one of the great Carrow Road goals) but was also a really nice bloke as my dad testifies having sat next to him at the 2005-06 player-of-the-season dinner.
The tricky Worthington/Grant/Roeder/Gunn crossover era was largely a hero-free zone – although Robert Earnshaw’s ability to score goals in a terrible team was noteworthy – but by the time Paul Lambert arrived they were queuing up and we were spoilt for choice.
Grant Holt and Wes were the obvious ones, and great players and characters they were too, but it was Steve Morison who I found myself defending as the Geoffrey Watling again turned on one of our own. A bit ungainly and awkward he may have been but I liked him and his bluntness, even if many others didn’t.
I made the mistake of treating my son to a nice seat in said stand for a League Cup game and, as a result, was subjected to 90 plus minutes of a very well-spoken lady telling me what a terrible footballer Morison was. It merely strengthened my resolve and stood by him I did until he departed stage left to Leeds in exchange for Luciano Becchio.
Most recently, it almost goes without saying that Marco Stiepermann was, for me, the carrier of the baton. He ticked all of the boxes:
Ungainly ✅ A character ✅ A good player on his day ✅ Unpopular with some ✅
So moved was I when Stiepi departed, I penned a tribute. A bit mawkish maybe but it was from the heart, and it’s good to hear he’s rediscovered his mojo with SC Paderborn.
In terms of unlikely heroes emerging from the Class of 2022… I’m still waiting.
So, that’s my list, albeit I’m positive I’ve missed some that will come to me later.
Now, over to you.
Morning Gary
Interesting selection there for sure – I can relate to three of them in particular.
Your dad is spot on, Youssef was a nice bloke indeed. I was at the bar in the Rising Sun in Coltishall [quelle surprise] when he walked into the pub with what I think I’m still allowed to describe as a stunning blonde. We had a brief chat – it was just after he had scored the mother of all thunderbastards against Newcastle.
He cheerfully signed an autograph for my neighbour’s daughter, signing it with *to Nicky with best wishes – Safri #15* and said how much he liked being in Norfolk and particularly enjoyed being in and around Broadland, adding that he loved his song and the Moroccan flag in the Barclay as well as some other positive things I have long forgotten.
Tim Sherwood I have never met but in the very late 80s there was a prominent fanzine called *Never Mind the Danger* which used to sponsor part of his kit.
After his comments about Norfolk NMTD instantly withdrew their sponsorship – maybe MFW’s Andy Head would be familiar with this recollection?
Erik Fuglestad would sometimes pop into the Rushcutters on Yarmouth Road for his Sunday lunch as would Steen Nedergaard. I think both of them lived on Dussindale at slightly different times and they were absolute gentlemen.
I have an interesting tale about Carl Bradshaw and one of our strikers too concerning the surprise result of a dressing room scrap but MFW can’t afford to defend a libel suit so I’ll keep it to myself, although those on the site who know me have probably heard it already.
I’ve got an interesting story about Tim Sherwood, who at the time lived in Thorpe Marriott, but those libel laws mean I’m not going to repeat it on MFW!
In my youth, my unsung hero was Roy Macrohan, but that may have been because like him, I played right-half (right hand side of a midfield three, for you youngsters).
As for Gary’s list:-
1. Can’t remember who we were playing, but Johnny Gavin scored with a diving header.
2. I’m a River Ender in recent years, but have inhabited the South Stand and the Barclay in the past.
3. Favourite all-time player? Probably Flecky.
4 Favourite current player, Grant Hanley.
5. Most memorable game – the Ipswich League Cup semi-final
6. Favourite away ground has to be Highbury (I know they’ve moved)
7. Mike Walker (though John Deehan lived across the road from me, and brought his family out to wave my daughter off to her wedding).
Steen Nedergaard certainly one of my favourites, Mr Reliable.
Loved Gaetano Giallanza too in albeit a brief spell 20 years ago prior to a horrible injury. He is Tim Krul’s agent.
Hi Colin
I could be wrong but I think he might be Timm Klose’s agent too?
As the Fast Show was huge at the time we called him *Swiss Tony* 🙂
I can’t be bothered to thumb through my vast array of NCFC books, but didn’t Phil Hoadley knock us out of the cup the season before we signed him by scoring the winner for a then 4th division Leyton Orient at Carrow Rd?? My apologies to him if my very foggy memory of this is false. If so, I withdraw my long standing grudge and it’s OK you having him on your list!
Orient were in the Second Division at the time, and both their third-round goals against City were scored by Peter Kitchen (cue “Kitchen sinks Norwich” headlines).
Remember going to the 1-1 draw at Brisbane Road on a British Rail special which took forever to get there…
Thank you. Was Hoadley something to do with it or am I starting to lose it?
I think Hoadley was captain of Orient
One player who never gets a mention is Paul Haylock, even though he was in the cup winning team and played almost 200 games for us. He was short, looked a bit on the podgy side and had a really strange gait so wasn’t everyone’s favourite. I always liked him and was unhappy when he was sold on to Gillingham. His replacement was Ian Culverhouse so I soon got over it.
Very good shout, Don! And as a Lowestoft boy, it’s unforgivable that I missed him out. Known as ‘Puddy’ I believe.
Agreed Don. I liked Haylock too. Also didn’t didn’t mind Dennis van Wijk on the left. Being replaced by the legendary duo Ian Culverhouse and Mark Bowen soothed the heartache somewhat.
Hi Gary
Didn’t the Barclay have a rendition of the goodies song Funky Gibbon for RG but I could be wrong.
Sherwood I think it was his brother the Hurdler won a medal in the Mexico Olympics, seems to have had a checkered past with most of his club supporters Blackburn, Spurs and Portsmouth all seem to have got rubbed up by him, even now he continues to upset most with his comments on Sky.
I always liked our Ginger Pele not sure if it was the Spurs connection or what but he got grief by the bucket load and always gave 100%
If we are talking about anti-heroes, shouldn’t Drazen Muzinic be in there somewhere Gary? Signed for a club record fee of £300,000 in 1980, he only started 17 games in two years. John Bond admitted later that he had never seen him play and signed him on reputation only as he had 36 caps for the former Yugoslavia and have represented them at the 1974 World Cup and 1976 European Championships. I watched just about every home game at that time and can’t recall him making any contribution at all.
Shaun Elliot would be my choice. An entirely competent central defender who was just dogged by bad luck – slips, own goals, giving away penalties, etc. (Anybody else hear bells ringing…?)
Paul Blades could fall into that category too.
Pretty sure we live in Shaun Elliot’s house now.
Tim Sherwood was one of the best players that has been here, went on to captain his club to the Prem. title. He got left out of the first team along with Polston, pity he didn’t get back in the team like Polston did, it could have made a big difference to our best ever finish.
He had the ability to play anywhere,started as full back, then centre half,then midfield- much like Lunghi.
Gibbins was like Josh Sargent, but with more goals. I remember Derveld scoring for us, he was very competitive, we’ve had worse.
I thought Matt Jackson was a quality player in an poor team.And the legend that was Charlie Crickmore.
I like the shout for Matt Jackson. He’s rarely mentioned but stood out in an average team.
‘No F in Fleming’, deserves a mention too.
I liked Jackson – he had some quality about him which enabled him to stroll through games and when he was on song he was very accomplished centre half – in a similar way to Timm Klose.
However, and this may sound a strange thing to say, I never felt totally comfortable with him in defence because he never really looked like a centre half and I never thought he would go in where it hurt, which of course you truly could back in those days.
Felt a bit sad when he left though, but Flem and Malky went on to form a solid partnership and Jacko made it back to the Prem with Wigan, so a happy ending for all!
I cant comment anything about those, but I can give you Teemu Pukkis national team press conference news.
Teemu has not discussed at all with Norwich about new contract. He said that results have not been what he expected, but they try everything possible to avoid relegation. His individual stats and performances does not make him happy if team fails. He also said that it feels good to get mental break of league games and that in national team there is always very positive feeling and team spirit is awesome.
I was lucky enough to start watching Norwich in 1970. A new decade and the dawn of a great time for the club. Heroes were plentiful (Forbes, Keelan, Stringer, Foggo and Silvester.) but I always liked Clive Payne. I even saw him play in goal twice, both times v Lowestoft. An unusual favourite of mine was Paul Kent. He came on as sub a couple of times and I really wanted him to be the super sub. I also liked Hockey because he used to wave to the crowd after running out of the tunnel and Mellor because he had an unusual nickname, Spider. Later in the 70s I had more conventional heroes like Neighbour and Fash. By 1980 I was into the mod revival so it was time for my generation, this included Goss and Crook but also a rather outgoing and friendly lad who had joined my Primary school class in the early 70s after moving from down South. This lad scored on his debut but at the wrong end, however, I always wanted Tony Spearing to do well because of those school days. I always saw a value in Bertschin who worked hard for little acclaim like an 80s Josh Sargent. Carl Robinson always struck me as under rated a bit like Rupp today. For me Rupp will always be remembered for his antics when setting up a goal for Skipp last season. In my coaching days I lost a keeper to NCFC academy, he is still in the team at U15/U16 level so I’m hoping to see him play in a cup match in 2 to 3 years maybe against plucky non league Ipswich
I always liked Rob Newman who always gave 100 per cent wherever he played. Also Trevor Hockey who can only be described as the right man at the right time.
Ron Davies anyone?
Really enjoy articles like this, probably because they deflect from some of the current gloom at CR.
A few of my unlikely heroes to add to your list….
Gary Megson – Memories probably tainted by his managerial efforts but on the pitch he was quality, an unlikely but excellent signing.
Pape Diop – As you said the late 90s was totally unremarkable, which is why he stands out. A bizarre signing but one scintillating game against QPR I seem to recall.
Shaun Carey – Ended up feeling sorry for Shaun because I still have no idea how he became a professional footballer, let alone played over 50 games at Championship level.
The Doc – Think it’s fair to say that upon relegation to League One the Ginger Pele found his level and had a great season. Before that time though, Dear Lord above.
Andy Johnson – Came of age at a difficult time for the club and added goals and steel from midfield. A bit of a character too – if you have a spare hour check out his ‘Under the Cosh’ podcast interview on Youtube, fair to say that Andy lived a full footballer’s life!
Morning Gary. Lovely read on a sunny morning.
Oddly, I had a strange affinity for Brian McGovern and he would make all of my Norwich squads on championship manager.
Although I was there when he got hooked at half-time, never to reappear……
During a spell of temping at a Norwich legal firm, opposite the Cathedral (the name escapes me) – I read an EDP article about a certain Danny Bloomfield with an incredible scoring record in our reserves. He never made the cut though but is a name I still remember.
A mate at UEA (incidentally also from Norwich) loved Louis Blois and would pretend to be him during our kickabouts. Seemed an odd choice!
One of our own, Adrian Coote, must have been late 90’s he was always on the bench but rarely used. At that time I would sometimes have reason to be around the tunnel entrance at half time, poor old Cooty would be tidying up, picking up water bottles clothing, balls etc. He wasn’t treated well and I was always pleased when he came on. He represented N Ireland at full international level too.
Brilliant stuff Gary, and all contributors…
My shout would go to one Trevor Howard….a local lad and pretty much permanent sub in the Saunders days.
O T B C
First Norwich game
Carrow Road home:- Stoke City October 4th 1975
Favourite all-time player:- Ian Crook put a ball on a sixpence from 60 yards just class
Favourite current player:- still missing Emi loved him best of the 21st century probably big Grant very underrated for me
Most memorable game – Forest boxing day 2018 simple because of the drama!
Favourite away ground:- Tottenham its like going to see a west end show how all new ground should be built
Favourite City manager:- close call John Bond as I grew up never knowing what Norwich would turn up but Dave Stringer just shades it for the 88/89 side should have won the double if we had bought a no 9
As for fav player who was underrated David Williams made City tick for a couple of seasons mid 80s before Crooky!
Most memorable game missed that lol!
Forest boxing day 2018 simple because of the drama!