I’ll not be heading to Carrow Road tomorrow for the final hurrah of 2022-23.
Not through choice or because I’ve decided that a one-man protest will sock it to the owners and sporting director, but because poor health will prevent me from doing so, just as it has done since mid-December.
The pandemic aside, it’s by some distance my longest spell away from Carrow Road since my journey began. No sympathy required though. All things being equal, I’ll be back next season.
(Before anyone accuses me of clogging up a seat that could be used by others, I’ve been registering my seat on the club’s ‘buyback’ facility).
But, worryingly, I’ve not missed it as much as I expected. Part of it, of course, boils down to not feeling well, but there’s a part of me that’s – for the want of a better expression – fallen out of love with our football club.
The club appears not to particularly value, or even like, its supporters. That much has been made abundantly clear through the words and actions of Stuart Webber and the various suits that surround him, and (as an aside) I’ve also had that communicated to me from some within the Club.
The ‘us against them’ psyche has filtered down, and they, the Club, appear content with that.
Nothing has emerged from Carrow Road to suggest otherwise. If you’re not with them, you’re against them, is the attitude that pervades, and has done for the last couple of seasons.
Not only are we unvalued and unloved. We’re perceived as a hindrance.
But also we’re not stupid.
There’s a reason why, even before Christmas, empty seats aplenty were dotted around Carrow Road. Folk have become disillusioned and they don’t like being taken for fools and/or taken for granted.
That the football on offer has been pathetic is clearly a factor but it runs far deeper. To assume people are staying away because the team has been half-hearted, disinterested, and a bit rubbish ignores the lot of your average football fan.
If we’d decided to stay away every time City have been on a poor run, or because things are a bit shit, then the place would be empty.
We don’t support Norwich City because they’re a great team – we leave that to nouveau Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, and Liverpool fans. We support Norwich because, for a million different reasons, we have, or have developed, a connection.
In my case, it was because my dad and both grandads were City diehards but for everyone it’s different. What we do have in common is that none of us chose Norwich City because we expected them to be challenging for titles and winning trophies. We hope, but we never expect.
So I do struggle a bit with those who cite their reason for not attending to be the quality, or lack thereof, of the football. That’s not been guaranteed since 1902.
But, we’re also our own worst enemies. Most of those who complain will, finances permitting, renew their season tickets. And the Club, by its own admission, sees the takeup of all available season tickets as a vindication of their direction of travel and culture.
If they’re renewing, they must be happy, right?
But we’re not. Far from it. We’re not remotely bloody happy.
The daft thing is, of course, despite me waffling on around how the unrest goes far deeper than us being grumpy about the team’s lack of performance, if – by some miracle – they start next season well and win a few games, our angst around the Club’s toxic culture and us fans being taken for mugs would soon be temporarily shelved.
We’re that fickle. A winning football team can paper over a million cracks.
So what point have I spent the last 600 words trying to make?
Well, what I’ve been clumsily trying to get at is the dichotomy that faces many of those who will be attending NR1 tomorrow.
Clearly, Teemu Pukki deserves the send-off to end all send-offs. He’s been an absolute superstar both on and off the pitch and he has more than earned the love and warmth that he will get from Carrow Road.
The tricky bit for many is how to square that with wanting the Club to know how unhappy we are with it, with the way it’s been mismanaged, and with the contempt they’ve shown (and continue to show) us.
It’s a tricky balance, especially as history tells us that any Carrow Road warmth will be embraced by the Club and used by them as evidence that everything is still tickety-boo.
I’m not sure what the answer is, but I do know that Pukki’s big day shouldn’t be marred in any way. His final lap of Carrow Road should be remembered by him and his family forever and for all the right reasons.
Equally, the masses are unhappy and there will be no platform to express that directly until August.
Tricky, right?
Answers on a postcard. Let us know what you think.
I don’t know
Either
I know there is a protest at 2:30 and in taking 2 kids to the game and am shying away
I also have a predicament and that is how do those who choose to protest want ail to conclude successfully? Webber goes? The board all resigns and who or what replaces it. All to easy to shout but you need to get an end game.. get rid off Webber might get Liz Truss or equivalent
Even if the protests hit pay dirt I’m still not sure the future will be rosy. All I want. Is a win, I haven’t seen one. Or even a goal, for a while. Pukka scores the winner..
On your Truss comment , may I suggest an iceberg lettuce for the job .
Thanks for the read Gary, a tonic given I am not going tomorrow thanks to the additional bank holiday. I always feel at odds when I can’t go to a home game and I will be especially sad not to say goodbye to Teemu tomorrow.. Aside from being wonderfully quiet, intelligent and humble, he really made 18/19 the exciting joy that it was to witness. Fast forward to 2023 and the bad feeling amongst fans is growing. I cannot believe it won’t show itself tomorrow amongst those in attendance. I have never witnessed so many angry fans booing and gesticulating at the players as I did at the end of the West Brom game and the first half hadn’t even been that bad, though the subs were dreadful. Whilst I don’t think it’s yet a majority who are raging – and for that the club can probably thank most of its turn up regardless die hard season ticket holders – I do feel that those who do go tomorrow will make their views clear during the game, especially if we dont play well. And if we go behind, I think the place will empty, leaving only those who have something left to give to Teemu at the end. It’s the feeling of being in the dark, not knowing if the club will communicate with us, I find most regrettable. Wagner is trying to keep the peace but it’s not working, and he shouldn’t be expected to be the mouthpiece. Those above him are collectively falling so short in terms of what their job role ought to include. But we’d hardly be the first club whose exec or owners don’t engage with the fans would we?
Like you, I want to see Pukki get a positive send-off. Plus there will be several other players who will be playing at CR for the final time.
I think I’ve come through anger and I’m into depressed acceptance. Nothing will change so we may as well buckle up for the summer.
Hi Gary
Rumours are alive and kicking that the ousted Sporting Director at Leeds has recommended Webber to replace him, saying he is the best at what he does. Could it happen or will the owners of the 49ers take up their option to buy the club and go in a new direction? Only time will tell.
A conundrum – stick or twist.
Stick:
This means we know we are in for more self-financing grief, possibly a poorly funded promotion push and the selling of any crown jewel that might earn a shekel or two
Twist:
Well nothing is guaranteed, time for a rebuild top to bottom. Will there be finance to do what’s needed or another version of self-financing with data-driven recruitment? (Strange, as I thought this was already in place).
Will a new era invite the local media into to discuss a way forward and will they try and mend bridges with the supporters?
26 years of mediocrity.
26 years of wasted time
26 years of being told no one wants to buy city
26 years of funding 2 weekly free parties for the owners and like-minded people.
Yes, a few promotions that have never had funds to sustain a presence in the top tier but no ambition to even attempt to try and stay up – just a fleeting visit to uncles Piggy Bank to top up the self-financing and clap yourself on the back for a job well done. Sorry to say, some are happy with that.
I will again apologise if I’ve said something that has upset the happy clappers amongst us but it’s my opinions and I’m entitled to them.
Changes are needed, not just at team level but from the ownership down. Protests fall on deaf ears, hunkered down in Stowmarket and the happy clappers see no wrong with how the club is run.
Indeed,too many happy clappers at carrow road,i hope there is a big protest,but imo its too late for one,it will all be forgotten about during the summer..Wagner said last week that there will be a massive turnaround in players coming and going,then we hear one of them probably coming in is a 33 year old striker,was that supposed to cheer us all up or what?At least the happy clappers will be pleased,me i think its a p##s take!
That’s another of the falsehoods from Webbers plan buy players that can generate a profit in the future
I’ve been posting similar comments these past couple of seasons Alex so I have your back on everything you’ve said, I’m afraid it looks very much as if it’s to be “same old, same old “ a cheap rebuild. What was the point of that new share issue? seems that agenda has fallen flat.
An old phrase or song lyrics came to mind from the Thomas Crown Affair “a never ending circle, a wheel within a wheel” that seems how the club is being run no end no being just
For my part I will be attending tomorrow, as my dad wants to go who is unwell. My dad took me to my first game in 1969 so we have gone full cycle of him protecting me to me protecting him. He has told me it’s the beginning of a new season. We will arrive early and also leave early.
Would love to see a minutes applause on the 22nd minute to show our appreciation of Teemu. Also when he is substituted off before the final whistle.
Being a long standing season ticket holder I renewed it again this year, because it is what you do when you bleed yellow and green. I nolonger wear club colours and haven’t done so for the last 3 years as my protest against the owners. Like many I have fallen out of love with the club and respect for it’s heirarchy.
After the Luton game I confronted DS and MWJ (polite and non aggressive manner) at the loss of club identity etc. DS advised we were 5th! Would love to point out to her again that they have lost a lot more the fans and that we are no longer 5th.
Delia has survived through luck and never more so than tomorrow.
Instead of a steady chorus of “we want Delia out!” we’ll be thanking Pukki for five years unbelievable service. He must be the best bit of business the club has ever achieved.
I wish him all the best wherever he ends up and can’t blame him for leaving.
Webber may well leave but he’s not the problem that lies with our woefully inadequate owners.
I think the club know we’re unhappy but I can’t see them sacking themselves, leaving the door open for someone who doesn’t know much about the club but has lots of money who are going to wave a magic financial wand and make us all smile again.
I think the easiest solution is protest (the board, the owner, whoever you want) outside, support Pukki inside.
Gary, I sent this to you in the mail, I hope you don’t mind me adding it to your post…
I like to protest in song…
Delia (to the tune of Cecilia)
Delia, you’re breaking my heart
City’s shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Delia, I’m down on my knees
I’m begging you please to sell up
Delia, you had a kind heart
now you’re stonewalling Michael Bailey
Oh Delia, you gave Webber the keys
I’m begging you please let him go (let him go)
3PM, Saturday afternoon with Delia
up in the boardroom (with Michael)
We’re not in the promotion race
our league position is worse
than under Robert Chase
Delia, the club’s fans are its heart
you declare that we are a problem
Oh Delia, dot the i’s cross the t’s
“Smith sells Norwich to Attanasio” (Attanasio)
Jubilation, press at the AGM
Conner and Paddy report it
Jubilation, we’re promoted again
Premier survival? who’d have thought it
Hi Dave
Nice one!
Great column Gary.
I feel strongly that tomorrow should be a celebration of Teemu Pukki and probably Max and Tim as they are both likely playing their last games.
For all that is wrong at the club, Teemu, Max and Tim have given everything for our club and if it weren’t for injuries who knows what Kieran Dowell and Sam Byram (along with Michael McGovern
lets not forget his big contribution in our second Championship win ) could have achieved they deserve a thank you as well.
It is the end of the Farke era tomorrow, with only Kenny, Onel and Grant likely remaining at the club by the end of summer.
I totally understand the frustration with the board and I share it. Their dislike of us is truly upsetting for any true City fan. I had a little operation last year straight after a heart attack and as soon as I felt well enough I was straight on to MFW and The pinkun.
And you can guess what I read, the total disdain and venom that the board felt for us, the fans.
I had suspected as much, and said it on here earlier, but reading it as fact, well that certainly didn’t cheer me up. You may say broken hearted😂
Like you Gary my Grandad and Dad supported Norwich City all their lives, in Grandad’s case back to the Newmarket Road days. Who are they to question our support?
The trouble with making grand promises is if you don’t come through you deserve the stick you get, especially if you offer no credible reasons for the failure. It is no good saying it is the fans fault for 3-0 or 4-0 home defeats, frankly it is laughable. Marty and Nick weren’t marking Michail Antonio for **** sake.
But for tomorrow please use it as a celebration for players who have worn the shirt with pride. And actually achieved something. It’s not Teemu or Max’s fault that the club haven’t brought in enough quality in the last two years.
No one more than Teemu Pukki deserves a big send off..
The summer is coming and any protest will quickly be forgotten.
However if the situation continues, i.e Delia staying and Stuart Webber here with no oversite then it is time for our voices to be heard. Peacefully but forcibly.
Hi Gary, a great column and I’ve truly wrestled with my feelings over the past 18 months since Daniel Farke was sacked. Since then I’ve attended Carrow Road twice (to accompany my granddaughters0, one Smith match, one Wagner. My seat has been taken over if you like by my daughter and her daughters, a real family affair. I’ve had a season ticket for 30 + years and don’t remember feeling like this since Roeder.
It’s not just how bad we’ve been playing, I accept football moves in cycles, as we can witness from them down the road. No this is all to do with what you’ve pointed out. The club’s attitude to fans. To all those who have loved, laughed and cried over the years (well before Delia or Webber in my case). My ‘protest’ in not attending was about Farke being sacked (and I still can’t see the justification for it). I’m on the fence with Wagner, he’s a nice enough man who comes across well, but I think he’s a bit out of his depth and he’s not going to get the money here to buy the kind of players his style needs. The least said about Smith the better, although his attitude towards us and the club was allowed to carry on far too long. All of this and the increasingly smug and silent (to us) Webber is too much. Seriously what other club would allow an attitude like his and a set-up where his wife is basically his boss?
So tomorrow I will be attending with my eldest granddaughter to say goodbye to Teemu and to sing his song one more time (in floods of tears). As your piece says, there will barely be any of that great team left by the end of the summer. That is where I am conflicted. Webber has done wonders in recruitment then lost the plot (and his motivation) and crashed big time, changed the style and now is failing to acknowledge this, blaming us, the supporters, for all the club’s ills.
I hope the rumour that he’s going to Leeds is true, they deserve each other.
Tomorrow isn’t going to be great, we all know that. I don’t want to see Teemu’s (and probably Max’s and Timmy Krul’s) final appearance in yellow and green blighted by boos, but I know there will be some. Personally, I won’t be protesting, Too old for all that now, I hope that Attanasio comes in and kicks the club into better shape, with no nepotism and a structure which will not allow anyone like Webber to run it again.
Sorry for the rant, and I hope you can return when able and that we both get to see football and discuss the match with our friends and family, not the board or the SD or the inept manager for at least a few seasons! Whimsically I hope we return to proper football though on that one I am holding my breath. OTBC.
Sorry to read you’re still unwell Gary, sincere wishes to get well soon.
We all need a reset, fans, players, manager, board. Somehow we have to rediscover that all for one and one for all mentality. For me this starts with the manager backed of course by those running the club. We’ve all become disillusioned after pointless promotions to a footballing world way beyond our capabilities.
For me Paul Warne would be that character able to build a new team fit for the Championship but most importantly proud to play for N CFC. We just need to enjoy supporting our team again.
A sad but heartfelt read and many excellent contributions as per.
For my part I don’t see delia Smith her other half, webber or his missus or the shiny suits in the corridors as “the club”. The club is the badge, the colours, the memories, the common pride.
Love the club, loathe the owners.
Sorry to hear of your illness Gary fingers crossed for a full recovery for next season. Your articles are a must read thank you
It’s been a poor season and a terrible run in over the last 10 games even allowing for the injuries which have revealed a shallow and unbalanced squad
The monthly DD makes renewal easy and I wonder how it masks the situation like the unwanted gym memberships people continue to pay in the forlorn hope they will one day use to get fitter r in the case of Norwich City next season the signings will work next season the ownership will change next season will be a lot better
Teemu, Max and Tim deserve a massive send off tomorrow
Agree your comments regarding the DD renewal. I agreed with this when it was first installed but for those that may wish to now the season ticket can be cancelled upto the first game with a full rebate less the £5 set up charge. I have used this method before to cancel my dads season ticket.
My dad has only attendeds if either my brother or I are unable to go. He has first refusal before buy back. Hope this helps.
This won’t alter anyone’s thoughts or behaviour today, but I think I can say that your fear (“any warmth will be embraced by the club and used by them as evidence that everything is still tickety-boo”) is now unfounded.
Regular contact continues between the club and the The Canaries Trust. From that contact, it’s clear the club recognises the depth of discontent and the need for some clear change – both on and off the field – to address it.
Thanks for that, Stew. Useful information and also good to hear.
Let’s hope something tangible comes from the Club’s recognition of this.
It has come to light that the club asks fan groups to sign agreements stating they will not criticize or say certain things.
Can someone from the Trust confirm they have not signed any such agreement?
🤣🤣🤣 the whole club gets more insular and bizarre by the day. Delia out.
I can confirm that. The Trust has not been asked to sign any such agreement.
In which case, I hope that we (I am a member of said trust), can forcibly make the point that despite what the club think, the vast majority of City fans are rather less than enamoured with the path the club continues to take!
O T B C
The Trust recently invited its members (and indeed, non-members) to tell us their views on the current situation and what should happen.
We collated those views – many of them brutal, of course – and shared them with the club. The response hasn’t been to deny anything; they’ve thanked us, acknowledged the opinions expressed, and are going to continue the dialogue.