While us football writing folk always consider the summer months of June and July as the “silly season” – and for very good reason – that doesn’t mean that nothing has been going on behind the scenes at our beloved Norwich City.
The EFL Championship fixtures will be released on Thursday [starting with Rotherham away, anybody?] and the long-awaited home kit launch will be coming down the tracks pretty soon.
Like many of us, I am hoping for a nod to the Asics model of 1989-91 with all these stripes popping up on the brickwork at Carrow Road. That is deffo my favourite NCFC issue of all time and I wish I still had mine from those times. Like a fool, I sold it while having a house clearout when I moved from Blofield to Coltishall back in 1999. ***
I didn’t fancy the look of the rebranded badge when it was first unveiled but I have really come around to it now and quite like it.
Gary made the point on Friday that the outdated Dauphin font for the large lettering on the stand walls will also be dispensed with and I totally agree that this is the right thing to do. Serif fonts have little place in the internet era and this is one I am particularly glad to see the back of as I will forever associate it with the Robert Chase days.
I’m not one for reading too much into silly season rumours but it will be interesting to see how our goalkeeping roster will look on July 29, but rumours of Tim Krul heading off to PSV Eindhoven and Michael McGovern hanging up his boots remain with us, which would leave us with Angus Gunn as absolute Number One and a pleasingly fully recovered Daniel Barden a shoo-in for the number three – or even number two – slot, thus leaving a vacancy.
This possible scenario prompted MFW regular Alex Bain to recall a few of our keepers that he remembers from the past, so courtesy of that fine gentleman, it’s time for a trip along memory lane.
Ken Nethercott began his career as an amateur with Cardiff City before signing a professional contract with Norwich City in 1947. He stayed at Carrow Road for 12 years. He made 416 appearances for the Canaries
Neil “Sandy” Kennon signed from Huddersfield in 1959 and played from the sixth round of the FA Cup that year, replacing Nethercott. Outside football, Sandy played rugby and cricket where he represented Norfolk in the minor counties.
Kevin Keelan signed from Wrexham in the summer of 1963. Between then and 1980 he would make 673 first-team appearances for City, a club record. His legacy has been a hard thing to handle for some that followed. [KK’s my all-time favourite – Martin].
Roger Hansbury played 78 times for City as a back-up. [we used to change the Des O’Connor song Careless Hands into Careless Hansbury for him back in the day. Says it all – Martin].
Chris Woods signed from QPR for £225k. In 1985 he won his second League Cup final, helping us beat Sunderland 1–0 at Wembley. City were relegated at the end of that season.
Bryan Gunn signed from Aberdeen for £100k on the recommendation of Sir Alex Ferguson and played 478 games in a City shirt plus 70 cup games. An injury that was never fully recovered from ended his City career. He returned to fill many roles including a brief unsuccessful stint as manager. [Legend and a thoroughly nice geezer – Martin]
Andy Marshall came from the Academy and played 197 games after replacing Gunn due to injury. He lost his place when Gunny returned to action and on his second debut for City he notably scored an own goal. At the end of 2001 after relegation, he signed for Ipswich who were then still in the Premiership. Marshall stated he was a “Premiership quality” keeper at the time.
Robert Green is another that started his career in the Academy and went on to play 223 games for City. In 2004 he won his first of 12 England caps under Sven-Goran Eriksson.
David Marshall was signed from Celtic and went on to make 93 appearances before transferring to Cardiff in 2009 for £500k+.
John Ruddy arrived from Everton and made 235 appearances. At the end of the 2017 season, his contract expired and he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free. [Another top bloke – Martin]
Tim Krul was signed on a free transfer from Brighton in 2018 on a two-year contract, which was renewed for a longer three-year deal that expires next summer. Injuries and covid-19 have hampered his appearances but he has played over 140 games. A penalty wind-up merchant of the highest order, he has been very popular with the Carrow Road faithful.
Angus Gunn is the current incumbent and has as much City pedigree as anybody as he too started in our Academy. He re-joined us on loan from Man City and then arrived on a permanent from Southampton last summer. He’s played 53 games so far with that figure only likely to increase.
So it’s thanks to Alex for that and I’ll only add a few in that we missed out as it was a very lengthy list to begin with.
Graham Benstead, Scott Howie, the fantastic occasional Radio Norfolk sidekick to Chris Goreham that is Mark Walton, Jed Steer, Declan Rudd, Simon Tracey [sorry!], Ben Alnwick, Michael Theoklitos [big sorry!], and probably several others I have long forgotten.
Don’t be afraid to point out any significant omissions dear readers – 60 years of goalkeepers is a lot to compress into a single article. 
Finally, I’m not childish or churlish enough not to remark upon Delia’s 81st birthday on Saturday. I hope she had a great celebratory day. She must be close to being the oldest football club owner of all time in British history, so well done for that!
*** If I don’t like the new home shirt after all I’ll be hightailing it down to On the Stall City to try and get the old Asics one that I sold for a tenner all those years ago. It’ll cost me significantly more than that now but it’s all for the very best of causes and I’m sure I’ll buy one anyway, so put me a home yellow or an away white [XL as that era suffers from natural shrinkage] on ice until Friday please, Jacob!
An article that combines currency with nostalgia can surely only end with this:
Jake Kean… well a bench warmer, may have played a couple of cup games. Met him recently in Nottingham along with Jimmy Walker. They were running a coaching course which my son was on. Jake has fond memories of Norfolk. Jimmy of course played for them south of the river. Still wearing an Ip***t training top although sacked by current regime. Didn’t have any nice time say about Paul Cook and his tenure
Only a loan player but Fraser Forster made a major contribution to our League 1 campaign. 20 clean sheets in 42 games (slightly better than his predecessor, Theoklitos). He left with an armful of Player of the Season awards.
Hi Paul
I’m thoroughly ashamed of missing out FF and I’m sure Alex will be too!
I remember at the end of that season what seemed like the entire Barclay singing *Fraser Forster one more year – stay at Norwich* over and over again.
Thanks for pointing out the omission!
But didn’t FF get signed because Ben Alnwick got injured and had to return to Spurs, his parent club?
It’s a bit warm for this anorak I’m wearing.
Hi Don
That’s a case of total recall – you’re quite right..
Cheers
Hi Simon
I must admit I had to google Jake Kean as I couldn’t recall him at all.
You’re quite right – he played one League Cup tie while on our books.
Thanks for another gap filled in!
Signed from Blackburn Rovers. Think he played nearly a full season for them due to an injury to Paul Robinson. Loaned out by us, before finally finding his way back to the East Midlands. Currently helping Jimmy F-H out at Burton Rovers.
If ever there’s a world that goes around with people moving all over the place it’s the football world!
I remember Paul Robinson as an excellent keeper.
Morning Mr P, goalkeepers I feel we have been blessed in that dept, for me Keelan was and perhaps will be my Number 1 Chris Woods and Tim Krul ranks joint second. One that was only a loanee was Fraser Foster, who I thought was ruddy outstanding, had Newcastle played ball with us over fee, he would have been ours, doubt he would still be here though. Surprised to read he has gone to Spurs as number 2, think he is worth the 1st choice shirt.
One last payday for Krul seems to be the favourite rumour in several places, for one I will be very sad to see him go, been loyal in his time here. Thankful for the gamble the club took on him. I love the wireless when City play over the border, just to hear Mark Walton , what a pundit leaves some of the more famous (TV) ones in his shadow. will be hopefully 2 games he will cover, Cardiff & Swansea. Bristol City might be the thrid. There I have something to look forward to.
As for new shirts, no matter how good it comes, I shall not be putting a single penny (see how I name drop) into the club under this shower of a regime
Morning Lad
As I said to Paul [above] Fraser Forster was an inexcusable omission – sorry 🙂
I,m not sure he’ll play that much at Tottenham as Hugo Lloris will be almost impossible to displace, but FF is getting on a bit now and you can’t get a better final payday than with a Champions League side.
I think Rivvo is excellent on the *Chris Goreham Show* but Mark Walton totally eclipses even him, which is quite an achivement. You are right about the away matches he will be covering as I think he has lived in his native Wales for some time now.
btw that wasn’t a sarky dig at CG – he does a great job and can probably relax a little more with either Mark alongside him.
Cheers
Hi all
Another long forgotten Keeper not sure he played a league game was Nixon once of ManC fame.
I think at the end of his contract he got caught doing over a 100 on the A14 trying to get back to Manchester.
Missing out FF is my shame.
Maybe a new face from Plymouth Argyle will soon arrive on to the city roster
Thanks for the comments
Hi Alex
That must be Eric Nixon I would guess.
Carlo Nash didn’t fare too well with the Black Rats one evening either. I can’t remember the details but I’m pretty sure he was way over the speed limit.
Apologies to Carlo if I’ve got that wrong.
I share the blame for the FF omission.
Cheers
Lee Camp was OK but not particularly memorable. However, his name makes me smile.
Totally agree – another one we forgot about who played for us during a very inauspicious era for NCFC. Roeder maybe?
Marty, we’ve seldom had a bad keeper, like you my favourite is Kev the acrobatic cat, Bryan is my 2nd.
Hiya Cutty
We sure have done well with our keepers over the years.
I was a teenager when KK was in his prime and I know the game was so very much different then but he was a real crowd pleaser and as hard as nails.
Cheers
Back in the day, there was a kid’s comic called Caspar the Friendly Ghost.
As with your previous name change, that name was warped into the nickname “Vasper the friendly goalie” following some Jaw – sorry BALL-dropping performances of one Peter Vasper. who made 30 odd appearances between 1967 and 1970. I can understand why you forgot him! 😀
Hi Gordon
I remember Casper the Friendly Ghost and I think Hollywood went on to make a couple of movies based on him but I haven’t seen them.
As for Peter Vasper I was living in London and only about 12 when he left so I think I can safely say it’s unlikely that I ever saw him play.
Another great spot and I love the song reference. How I resisted putting in the Bryan Gunn equivalent I will never know 🙂
Thanks – nice one.
Hi Gordon
I remember Peter Vasper! Playing second fiddle to King Kevin was never going to be an easy gig. Not certain if KK will ever be bettered at Carrow Road.
Dan Barden deserves a mention for stepping up when all around him were falling (I hope his road to recovery is a success)
Barden had a recent call back into the Welsh U23 squad and they reported that he has made a full recovery just needs time to get himself up to full fitness
Good call
Great to see Dan back – I’m sure there will be a role for him next season.
He looked so calm in the games he played during 2020-21.
Hi Gerry
Yes Dan Barden has come back from a potentially devastating diagnosis and deserves so much repect for the calm manner in which he dealt with it.
Well done to Dan and all those who supported him – I know for sure that NCFC and several others supported him all the way along the line.
Thank you.
Sadly I can’t remember him but did look him up good find that one
Peter Vasper (born 3 September 1945) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Cambridge United and Norwich City.
Thanks for the comment
Before Ken Nethercott, I seem to recall Ken Oxford, and if I remember rightly, he knocked himself out on the crossbar jumping for a high ball.
I was at Bramall Lane behind the goal where Nethercott damaged his shoulder, what a hero. He played for a long while in that game with it dislocated, and his arm hanging by his side, while he made a load of saves one handed. If he’d gone off, we’d have been down to ten men (no subs in those days), and Bobby Brennan would have gone in goal. Good job he didn’t or we wouldn’t have got the equaliser, and the 59 cup run would have ended there and then.
Favourite keeper has to be the Cat, who had beautiful right hook, with Tim Krul just edging out Gunny for second place. My least favourite has to be certain Greek!
Hi Jim
It’s great to see that quite a few of us remember KK as the GOAT.
The match against Northampton where the right hook was employed was one of the very few I got to see at Carrow Road in those days.
Or was it a left cross? 🙂
Cheers
Hi Martin
Nostalgia not being what it was I remember an uppercut. Bryan Thurlow took over in goal (I think)
🙂
What about the record signing whose best moments he ever played for us were probably in goal at one of the Sheffields, due to an injury?
And I’m sure there was a league cup tie where one of our strikers finished up in goal? I think it was a lad we’d taken from non-league, where he’d been prolific, in the hope of him “training on”, but can’t remember his name.
I can’t recall the players name but we sold him to Coventry after a successful loan then I think he finished his career at Gillingham or Southend
A good memory thanks for the comment
Cody Mcdonald was the young man
Really?
I think we got him from somewhere like Dartford and the only goal I remember him scoring was against Colchester in the Match We Must Not Mention.
He probably got a few more but I can’t recall any of them right now.
That was him! I remember listening to the game on the radio and I think we were already stuffed when he had to go in goal. It was like he was a sacrificial lamb.
I presume you worked out the previous reference to another striker temporarily between the sticks. I think he had history of playing basketball.
Darren Beckford used to walk his dog on Blofield Rec. He was a big old unit.
Darren not the dog!
Hi Keith
I can’t recall the occasion you mention or the name of the striker but I do remember Taff Bowen against Cov in the League [at the old Highfield Road] when he kept out everything until just before the end and we lost 1-0.
I believe he played Rugby for Neath as a junior which might have helped.
He’s a fraction shorter than me – I’m 5′ 9″ – and although I was a useful 6-a-side keeper at the UEA I was useless in the full-scale game.
If you ever find out the name of the striker who played that day please let us know.
Cheers
My first reference was to a certain Darren Beckford.
Signed from Port Vale; I think we also wanted Robbie Earl but he preferred the bright lights of London.
Anyway, his Wiki entry says more than I’d remembered:
“…he also proved to be a versatile player, taking over in goal when Bryan Gunn sustained a back injury during a game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. He made a number of fine saves but was finally beaten Ian Bryson in a 1–0 defeat”
Rumour was at the time that Dave Stringer did indeed want both of them but took so long in persuading Beckford to sign that there was no time left that day for Earle, who subsequently changed his mind and joined Wimbledon instead.
Many a fan has suggested that Stringer propritised the wrong player!
Joe Corrigan – could be goalie for a Past Sell by Date XI
Along with Chivers,Osgood,Sissons,Molby,Donnachie, McDowell,Clive Woods,Walsh,Cottee,Dublin
Hi Gil
A few more for your list: Molby, Sibierski, Helveg and… Naismith.
I loved Dion though!
Cheers
I remember Dion being interviewed as a youngster and saying that his role model at Norwich was: Wayne Biggins!
Another one I missed was Willie Young
Willie Young is a serendipity thing.
*Six foor two, eyes of blue, Duncan Forbes is after you* was a direct rob of the song invented for Young while he was at Highbury!
Dion was most definitely not past his sell-by date. Very useful as a centre halfor centre forward. Not doing too badly for himself these days!
Dion’s certainly become a shrewd businessman with a flair for positive publicity – I only saw his TV property show once and he seemed a naural at that too.
Sir Dion of Dublin was very good given his age . adapted well to centre back . Helveg was getting past it but his vision wasn’t that bad. Sibierski spent more time on his arse than his feet. We had some dire loans in but the worst signing of all was the Aussie goalkeeper, Gunn only saw video’s of him , I could have done better than him
I still can’t imagine that Gunny signed a keeper who was that bad.
Theoklitos claimed much later that he was carrying an injury that day and should not have played.
Many thousands of us wish he hadn’t played that day as well but at least were spared a second sight of him as he never played for City again.
Just throw a few more out into the Pot Mark Bunn, Joe Lewis, Ralf Fahrmann, The Admirable Paul Crichton & Jed Steer although only at youth level.
Of course there was also Orjan Nyland ,Lee Camp & Ben Alnwick
Jed Steer still at Villa but spent most of last season on loan to Luton.
Strange move for him to Villa unless PL had made him a big promise of first team football but he has had a career out of the game more than some of the others mentioned.
Good comment
You mentioned Remi Matthews and I subbed him out of the article.
Whoops!
Sorry to forget the admirable Chrichton. One I did remember after the article.
Mark Bunn was a dreadful omission as well.
Clive Baker born in West Runton was only 5’9 and played for City and Ipswich.
Hi Danny
I live pretty close to West Runton and didn’t realise Clive Baker was born there.
Yet another I can recall on a prompt but can’t consciously remember seeing play.
Thanks
Jon Sheffield??
Hi Tonyb
Yes – I had to google him and I actually saw him play in a 2-2 draw against Villa in 1989, which was my first season ticket.
Trouble is I no longer remember the game, let alone Jon Sheffield!
Cheers
Warner, ward, watt, Cawston, benstead, Gallagher, howie. Have any of these been mentioned?
Hi Chris
Alex got Graham Benstead and I recalled Scott Howie of late-career Yachtsmen fame but nobody picked up on the other four.
Go to the top of the class and give out the pencils 🙂
Cheers
Thanks mate! 😊