As you read this, I’ll probably be in a queue at Silverstone. For once, this is being written on a Saturday morning and not a Sunday so forgive me for not including any references to the friendly at King’s Lynn.
For what it’s worth, I predict a relatively gentle but leg-weary 3-1 win with goals from Jon Rowe, Ashley Barnes, and an OG, with Lynn having taken an early lead following some defensive uncertainty.
Feel free to give me a mark out of ten for accuracy 😊
So, minus any more Lynn references, I thought it may be worth having a catch-up and, perhaps, evaluating what MyFootballWriter stands for, especially in light of some recent criticism.
I’ve not been here for the whole journey, far from it. For that, look no further than our site’s owner, Rick Waghorn, who kick-started the whole thing back in 2007 with the intention of offering some Norwich City news and views from an angle that was neither official nor from the only official local news outlet, Archant.
Back in 2007, MFW was in a field of one, and in those early days, Rick was able to use his press accreditation to attend away games as he had done in his time at Archant, As a result, he was able to fill these pages with, among other things, match reports and post-match interviews.
Alongside Rick in those early years was Kevin O’Gorman, who was in charge of the site’s advertising and who was, in fact, the conduit to me being given a shot as an MFW columnist.
We eventually veered away from Rick’s ‘live’ coverage, at least on a regular basis, although over the last two seasons, the magic of the Internet has enabled one of the team’s globetrotters, James Colman, to deliver us match reports in the traditional style.
Many thanks, James.
Contributors in the early years, in addition to Rick, included some familiar names; among them Malcolm Robertson, Mick Dennis, Chris Goreham, Kevin Baldwin, and Charlie Wyett.
Cheers, lads.
The focus was always on quality writing – in the case of Kev, literally award-winning – and content that would inform, entertain, offer food for thought etc, and, to be honest, we’ve never intended to stray from that ethos.
For my own part, I came aboard in the spring of 2012. In the year previous I’d made the transition from terrible accountant to rookie writer, and as a result of a speculative but fortuitously-timed email and a successful trial piece, Rick, with Kev O’s help, gave me the green light.
Thank you, Rick. You too, Kev.
Within a year, and with other projects taking up more of Rick’s time, I was handed the editorial reins and here I’ve been ever since.
(On that basis, and it had not even occurred to me, I’ve been at the tiller for a decade although it feels nothing of the sort – confirmation that as you reach your 50s, time does officially pass quicker!)
Along the way, there have been many folks worthy of a thank you – some for their practical help, others for their invaluable advice – but someone who rarely gets a mention but should is Neil Mason, who was the behind-the-scenes technical expert for the first decade of our existence and who helped me out of many-a-muddle.
Thanks, Neil.
It was upon my grasping of the editorial reins that we took the decision to expand the writing team with the long-term aim of providing readers with a minimum of one piece of fresh content per day.
That aim is still there, albeit not something I’m always able to deliver, but during the period mentioned above a new group of writers came aboard. First through the door was Ed Couzens-Lake who was soon followed by Stewart Lewis.
Many others came and went in the years that followed but I mention those two specifically because both remain valued members of the team to this day. Mick D too remains a valued team member and has the distinction of being the only writer to endure from 2007 to 2023.
Thank you all – Ed, hope that recovery continues apace.
In terms of MFW’s aesthetics, it underwent a refresh in the summer of 2017, and not just because it had the look of a website built in the mid-Noughties. It was also because the infrastructure behind the front face was creaking under the pressure of being over a decade old.
In a digital world, we were still operating in analogue, and so it was to the brilliant people of Brandex we turned. Led by their founder and managing director, Stuart Bartram, and in consultation with Rick, they delivered us something that not only looked the part but which also gave us a solid base from which to operate.
Stuart has stayed with us ever since and provides priceless support at every turn.
Cheers ol’ friend.
Along the way, several other Norwich City-related fan sites have entered the fray, all of whom have come at it from slightly different angles to MFW; some of whom have come and gone (like the brilliant Little Yellow Bird Project), and some who are still with us, like Talk Norwich City and Along Come Norwich.
And while the access we enjoyed to individuals within the football club has now dried up – probably my fault (more on that later) – for three seasons we, TNC and ACN, were permitted to get closer to the club than almost any other football fan sites in the country; a process started by the Club’s former Director of Communication, Joe Ferrari.
We were grateful and hopefully did the opportunity justice, which included the time Connor Southwell and Ben Ambrose met Stuart Webber at Colney and produced that fine interview that can still be viewed on the Norwich Talk YouTube channel.
Cheers, lads. You too, Joe.
Many writers have come and gone en route from 2007 to 2023, some of them very talented – thanks to each and every one – and it’s a huge source of pride for us to see talented youngsters use MFW as a stepping stone into the world of sports journalism.
I talk specifically of Connor and Sam Seaman, both of whom now perform key roles in the Pink Un’s City coverage, and who without fail provide me with the warm glow of a proud uncle when they appear either on video or in print.
At the other end of the experience scale (he’ll not mind me saying) is Martin Penney, to whom I’m very grateful indeed.
Without Martin’s unswerving support, this job would be almost impossible, not least for the fact he’s as solid as a rock in providing his editor with a Monday piece and any pieces in between that his editor requests.
Those who can commit to a weekly piece and, better still, a piece on the same day each week are an editor’s dream; hence my delight that young Will Grant has committed to providing us with an academy update every Thursday next season.
Martin & Will, I salute you.
And finally… on the subject of thank yous, the good folk who, through Patreon, are kind enough to contribute on a monthly basis to the running costs of MFW are heroes – no more, no less. Without them, we’d not exist. Simples.
Good people… we thank you.
So that just about brings us up to date and, finally, on to the reason why I felt the need – aside from the thank yous – to write this piece in the first place.
Over the course of the last two Norwich City seasons, which even the optimists must admit have been underwhelming, MFW has been viewed by some as a source of nothing more than moans and groans.
I know this. I’m told so regularly. But that’s never been our intention, nor will it ever be.
From my perspective as editor, and as guided by Rick, our raison d’être is still to provide an alternative platform, beyond the official ones, for those who feel passionately about Norwich City and who wish to express those opinions in nicely-written prose.
There has never been and never will be, any editorial steer on the tone or direction of content. The writers are not chosen because of their views but because of their ability to express them. Plus, the offer of a guest blog is always there… for everyone.
The tone over the last two seasons has only tended to veer toward the negative because of what has occurred on the pitch. For some of us, this has been amplified by things that have or haven’t happened off the pitch, while for others what happens off the pitch is either of no consequence or is okay.
And that’s fine.
When, or if, the tide turns and in the cyclical world of football Norwich City starts to flourish again, then the writing will, I’m 100 percent certain, reflect that.
On a personal level, I’ve taken a reasonably polite and articulate kicking for a piece I wrote nine days ago entitled, Embracing difference is good. Doing so because you have no choice… less so.
But, again, it was merely a personal view on what I believed to be some odd comments on Delia and Michael’s stewardship of our club, and my ongoing frustration with said stewardship.
It’s a view I’ve held for the past decade and which I have expressed regularly and (hopefully) consistently, but for some it appeared one moan too many. As a direct result, I reiterated the offer to those who disagreed to articulate the counter-argument in 800-1000 words.
No takers so far.
But that piece didn’t reflect the official line of MFW, nor was it confirmation that MFW is now officially an anti-NCFC mouthpiece. Nothing could be further from the truth. We all desperately want our club to get its house in order and then flourish, despite some appearing to believe otherwise
And when/if it does, even we old moaners will give credit where it is due – both on and off the pitch.
Believe it or not, we’d love nothing more.
Anyway… one last thank you. And that’s to you.
Without you’d we’d not be here. We’ll never take you for granted.
On the Ball City.
Keep up the good work Gary, MFW continues to be one of the more balanced social media platforms. Both the columnists and contributors although often having diverse opinions can put forward views that are discussed rationally and without the vitriol and utter stupidity that other platforms attract. Enjoy your day at Silverstone and we all look forward to Martin’s column tomorrow and the musical contribution embedded within.
Will Grant Academy piece on a Thursday will be a must read for me. His work so far has been outstanding.
Connor S still makes the odd error in his writing but overall is a reliable read for at least the minimal access the Pinkun+ is currently allowed. Maybe things will get back to what we had become used to once SW has finally shuffled off stage left. We live in hope.
As for Sam Seaman: not impressed at all. He did a filler piece on Academy prospects recently that was so out of date. Should have just plagiarised Will’s work!
MFW has recently been a MOG’s paradise recently. But I suspect the content just reflects the zeitgeist: everywhere you look you see short tempers, no patience, barely controlled anger. And entitlement. The worst sin in my book.
MOGs are just frustrated Happy Clappers.
Got me there. I am a mOg. (Only admitting to the Old part.)
Apologies for the excess of recently!
Always enjoy reading the articles, do not always agree but opinions are like arseholes,we all have one.
Delighted that Will is keeping us up to date on all things Academy, he really deserves some better access from the club.
Keep doing what you do. OTBC.
Please keep calling it as you see it. You do a great job.
I, like many I’m sure, come here for the very reason of wanting a second opinion.
Thank you
Gary, well said. There must be times when you think why do I bother? Fame, glory, money, nah! You either love City or hate them and I‘ve not seen any hatred, frustration yeah, know the feeling. My old mum who was a City supporter all her life said to me when I was knee high, son if you‘re going to follow the City you better get use to some disappointments. This was after Luton knocked us out of the Cup. Plenty of highs and lows since then and hopefully we‘re due a good un and the pleasant prose will flow again, keep a troshin ole partner.
Cutty , I’m guessing that was the one back In the famous semi final and not the more recent oops a premier league team loses at home to a conference side.
Why always Luton.
Cheers Cutty … appreciate that ol’ friend.
And in answer to your question… yes. Especially when you write an entire piece aiming to explain how we (at MFW) perceive balance to be important only for the point to be ignored, and then to be told that MFW lacks balance!
When I worked with Rick W on the Evening News sportsdesk (a few years ago now!) he and other ECN sports writers were regularly accused by some readers of not being hard enough on the club. When I joined the club, there were some there, including senior figures, who felt Rick and colleagues in fact gleefully took every opportunity to have a pop at the club…meanwhile BBC East and ITV Anglia are accused every week by fans of both Ipswich and Norwich of being biased in favour of one or the other…and Radio Norfolk is either too cosy with the Club or via Canarycall, too critical…so it goes in football. Keep up the good work Gary and the rest of the writers at MFW, whatever their take on all things yellow and green may be.
Just to underline, from personal experience, something Gary mentioned. As editor, he’s a contributor’s dream: no pressure, no company line to toe, indulgence of whatever we want to write about City (or sometimes other subjects), from whatever angle.
If you’re tempted to have a go, I urge you to. It’s been a real pleasure for me.
Well said Stew
I heartily second that.
As a sporadic contributor, I know the challenges behind penning an article, so, I salute you all, young and old, who write regularly. Long may it continue. OTBC
Re: your prediction GG – you were almost spot on! I was there and everything you said was on the money except the number of goals. ‘Leg-weary’ might be a bit strong too, but not bad at all!
Hi Gary
An interesting read and hope you have a great day at Silverstone and possible an article on how your day went.
Opinions are just that Opinions and if we all had the same ones it would be a poor world.
The Happy Clapper Brigade jump to our owners defence at the slightest critism and bemoan anyone that don’t see it their way, but few if any really put up SL and MD are the main two but there’s a few other and it would be interesting for those to air their view to us The Less than Happy Brigade.
Club matter.
You got the OG right and it was a 1-6 win.
Sainz injured at Colney and out for 12 weeks end of October so with his fitness maybe New Year before he gets to play at Carrow Road.
Our Keepers favourite coach has joined Herr Farke at Leeds and his replacement is the recently released Paul Clements from Huddersfield.
I’m not sure if It’s a nightmare but with Webber soon to depart possible for Yorkshire Pastures New then Leeds will have a proven successful team that will have money to spend for a successful season ahead, but the nightmare continued with the thought that our next SD could be Leigh Bromby.
And some have said that is worse than a nightmare and Delia wouldn’t go down that path, just think of those previously poor recruited managers.
Meant to add
Yorkshire papers are saying that Leeds are interested in Gunn and Omobamidele could we see asset stripping from city to build a team for promotion in Yorkshire??
Do you reckon it would be revenge for Howson and Snodgrass ? Think there was another one too but can’t remember who.
Bradley Johnson I think.
I’ve not read a bad or unjust article from you Gary, so don’t let a few happy clappers get to you, it’s a credit to you, as editor, that the happy clappers criticism of you and MFW are nonetheless still posted. It’s been a bleak two years for City ( I could say 26 years, although there was a couple of enjoyable ones) there’s been nothing of joy to write about, and I don’t see that changing either in the near future. Your’s and Martin’s pieces every week are the reason I look forward to my MFW daily read and make the occasional comment, so as I said last week keep up the good work Gary. For one moment there, at the start of your article I thought it was going to end by you announcing your resignation, thank goodness it didn’t.
Hi Gary
Your point about taking pride in seeing our young writers develop and move on is a good one.
I remember vividly an interchange between us when I said *that Connor Southwell’s bl00dy good for a kid of his age – you woudn’t believe he’s only 20* and you replied, *make the most of him while he’s here.
His first staff article for Archant appeared about a month later and it is great that MFW was able to play a small part in helping him on his way.
Me? I love a bit of banter with anybody who is good enough to comment on my articles and thanks to MFW I’ve met some great people I’m delighted to call friends.
An interesting article detailing the history of MFW. I first started reading it way back with Rick and contributed via Patreon. In recent times I have very rarely looked at the site because I have found it negative, predictable and depressing. The main contributors to MFW are very much against the hierarchy of the club. Fine,I have no problem with that opinion but that doesn’t mean I want to constantly read it. Equally these anti views far outweigh the positive which is not surprising as why would those with other views bother? Reasonable balance on the site is sadly missing.
A further issue that I have had is the name calling that I have always hated. It has got better but whatever your views are shouldn’t we respect people enough to call them by their names rather than the Stowmarket two for example. Mild abuse it maybe but abuse it still is. Calling people Happy Clappers is hardly a term of endearment.
There were obviously good reasons why you felt it necessary to pen today’s article because you must feel things are not perceived as quite right with MFW.
My views might differ from many of your contributors but that is where I am. I did ponder long and hard as to whether I should bother to comment but I did use to enjoy the site far more.
I am grateful for the pleasure and wisdom that I have had when reading MFW since 2007. Thank you.
Hi Richard. Thank you for your comment. And noted.
However, I do take issue with your assertion that “Reasonable balance on the site is sadly missing.”, especially as I’ve done my very best at all times to ensure, to the best of my ability, that there are a range of views expressed, both positive negatibe and neautral.
I mention above that there is always a guest blog available for anyone of any reasonable view, and even ran a series of ‘positive’ articles at the end of last season to help redress some of the understandable negativity. I put that same offer out a week ago, with, to date no takers.
If you wish to pen a piece of positivity, then I’d be more that happy to publish it.
So, I’m very sorry, I take a lot of criticism for a lot of things, but I draw the line at the suggestion I’m not trying to achieve “reasonable balance”.
I don’t think for one moment that you don’t try to achieve reasonable balance. My point was that it is not achieved. Those with different opinions to yours and the other major contributors clearly do not wish to get involved on here. Therefore it gives an impression and gets a reputation as being an anti club site.
Would you have written your article if you were not acknowledging this?
I wrote the piece to say a few thank yous and to address some recent accusations from a couple of people that MFW is a conduit for only moans and groans.
You’re seriously saying that MFW deters those with positive views from expressing them on here when I explicitly requested articles from those with a half-glass-full disposition? For the record, there were five who picked up the baton and five who had their articles published. And the offer is still there.
And are you seriously suggesting that Mick D and Stewart L (neither will mind me mentioning them) are unwilling to express their views on MFW?
I’m very open to suggestions from you as to how I can make MFW a friendlier environment for those who view the club positively and how I can generate more articles of a positive slant. I’m all ears.
Balance, that’s a funny concept in the sporting world. Should one write a balanced piece about a shocking run of form? What about a club record points haul in the Prem?
What you are seeing Richard isn’t balance, it’s representation a fan base tired after four dire seasons out of six.
Being far away in lovely Dorset my first stop for City news is MFW. Mature writing with plenty of both positive and negative articles and mostly well written comments. Ten out of ten.
To be honest, I’ve never felt the MFW has been anything other than a force for good and balanced comment. I’ve never seen it as moans and groans. But the truth sometimes hurts and we cannot be polyannas all the time. Actually, I always found the Archant publications rather upbeat and unthinkingly pushing the party line but clearly the club didn’t think so! Anyway, I think it’s fairly clear that we all have opinions we generally see a reflection of our own as the truth. Which is where – with football as with religion, politics and world views – we have problems.
Gary, I tip my hat to you as the glue that holds the site together! And thank you for providing me with the opportunity to express my feelings publicly!
6/10 on the prediction. I only saw the highlights (I was busy testing an electric tricycle for a small car magazine!) but it’s nice to see goals from crosses whipped to the near post, and a striker making the runs to be on the end of them!
Here’s to the new season!
MFW undoubtedly provides a unique platform for balanced, considered and thought provoking opinions which I for one enjoy. A refreshing splash in a pool of vitriol served up on other social media ‘outlets’ Keep up the good work!!
Good summary Gary! Or as my boss would put it, ‘a wash up’ of the last ten years.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the content on this website and always find it a refreshing change, or indeed just a different viewpoint, from the PinkUn or the main site.
I have really enjoyed contributing with the odd article here and there over the last few years and I do enjoy seeing the thoughts and views of readers.
Here’s to another ten!
Who knows in what guise the club will find itself in then!
Well said Gary.
You and your team do a fantastic job and we are all grateful.
Personally I believe that this site is by far the fairest in its assessment of all things Norwich City.
Delia and Michael have done a lot of good for Norwich City, I really admire her determination not to go bankrupt all those years ago like our country cousins did and therefore leave so many local businesses up the creek without a paddle.
I also believe her appointments of Roger Munby, Bob Cooper and Ed Balls (sorry if I missed anybody out) were excellent Chairmen.
As was Ed Balls idea to go the sporting director route, even if it has stalled in the last two seasons.
But it is right to hold the club to account for, the disastrous managerial appointments (mostly D&M’s choices by far), the spending of the absolutely dreadful recruitment over the last two years, and the big gaping £60 million loan eating up all our parachute payments, the loss of respect for the fans and many more missteps by the executive in years gone by.
Also their propensity to sign injured players knows no bounds and they need calling out on it. Poor Borja Sainz is not on that list but it is just our bloody bad luck that something innocuous has happened, like being attacked by a disgruntled Bishy Barnaby and the lad is out for months🤬
There is a word that I do not particularly like and that is “Happy Clappers” but I understand why it is used and at times I may have used it before myself but it is somewhat derogatory.
We all go to Carrow Road, or listen to Radio Norfolk on a Saturday afternoon, or watch Soccer Saturday with the now sadly gone but brilliant Jeff Stelling, with one thing in mind and that is a Norwich City win. Okay it is nice when Ipswich lose or nice to see Spurs win but my whole weekend is affected by the Great Team’s result.
And I am sure no HC wants to see us get relegated again. And that is the great risk we face with D&M remaining as majority shareholders.
I am also sure that the so called happy clappers are disappointed as well, but I see that as the opposite of some of the more, shall we say “over the top” supporters struggling in their pit of despair 😂Drawing 1-1 with WBA ( Canary Call regular) in our present circumstances is not worth having a heart attack over !!
So I like the fact that MFW takes into account every viewpoint.
It has to be said though that sometimes in life the circumstances of things outgrow what you as a shareholder can offer. Me and my wife watched the Wham documentary last night ( sorry Martin😂) and Andrew Ridgley knew at the end of the piece that his time with George Michael was up. Musically he had outgrown him.
Football has now outgrown Delia and Michael’s ability to contribute to the club and that has been proven by two awful EPL seasons, a EPL recruitment that now proves that most of these players are not even up to EFL standard and the desperation in having to borrow against both future parachute payments.
That needs to be challenged, and MFW does a excellent job in doing that.
So keep up the good work, Gary, Martin, Stewart, Mick etc 💛💚