Chris Sadler

I love Robert Chase.  I do.  I really do. You may find at this moment your larynx start to spasm as it begins to form some spiky syllables of disagreement but, for the time being, put a sock in it and bear with me. Please. Allow me to present the Case for Chase… Robert Chase […]

Norwich City Football Club have been promoted four times to the top division during the Premier League era. Manager Nigel Worthington’s side were promoted automatically as champions in 2003/04. Paul Lambert also achieved automatic promotion finishing second in 2010/11. Neil Adams generously stood aside halfway through the 2014/15 season allowing Alex Neil to swoop City […]

I caught renowned village seer and grizzled oddball Nostrafarmus leaning over his garden wall as I walked past this week. He was waving his hands about in a mysterious fashion. ‘What you up to, Nosty?’ I asked. ‘Shhh!’ he said, gimlet-eyed, weaving his fingers through the air, ‘I’m trying to put a spell on Delia.’ […]

Surprisingly we’ve already skipped through more than a third of the 2020/21 season having played 18 out of of the scheduled 46 league games. And despite a legion of injuries Norwich City’s momentum has picked up and (at the time of writing) the Canaries occupy top spot. A brilliant achievement. But, how good is Daniel […]

A quick leaf through the Canary archives never fails to pleasantly surprise. Generously stocked with diverse heroes from every age, Norwich City’s history is always a joy to explore. Permit me a moment to share the tales of three such heroes.  This trio all trod the hallowed turf at Carrow Road, were cheered on by […]

Injuries, eh? Fate can sometimes lead you on a frustratingly circuitous route to success. Norwich City have had their fair share of injury problems over the past eighteen months, and even helped themselves to some other clubs’ portions too.  I could reel off the list of currently crocked Canaries, but life’s too short and there […]

Once again international opportunity knocks for a number of NCFC players. Despite the whys and wherefores of flinging players across a continent willy-nilly during a pandemic it’s still an exciting time for a player to be selected to play for their country. As a little entree before the games get going tonight, here’s a little […]

After an indifferent start to 2020-21, Norwich City’s season has certainly picked up momentum. But how well is Daniel Farke really doing in the Championship? Let’s compare his record with the managers who’ve managed NCFC in the second tier since Ron Saunders first won the division in 1971-72. NB. Data covers City’s performance in the […]

Expectations this year are sky-high at Carrow Road. In the close season, the list of exciting incoming signings hit double figures and outgoings were kept to a reasonable minimum. The new season has kicked off, the firework rocket has been lit and we’ve all retired to a safe distance.  How’s it gone so far? Well, […]

Sometimes to uncover the truth you have to turn back to what works best; the old ways, the reliable ways – country wisdom and rural folklore. There lives in our village, down a leafy and lonely track, a grizzled man as old as time. No one knows his name or where he came from but […]

15 clues, 15 mixed up answers. Have you got the noodles to unscramble these doodles.  (PS. No extra points for alternative suggestions to the last question!) Championship Teams : 1.    BET ON HUMOUR this season by the seaside at Dean Court? 2.    South Yorkshire tykes can sometimes BE SNARLY? 3.    YO, TICKETS available in the Potteries? 4.  […]

Twenty-six seasons have passed since Martin O’Neill’s stymied attempt in 1995/96 to get us promoted straight back into the top division (for details see file marked ‘Chase, R – The Windass Affair’). Eighteen Norwich City managers since have spent 19 seasons in the second tier attempting the same thing. Many have failed and only four […]

A bijou quizette, Canary folk. Can you name the Norwich City alumni who’ve captained these proximate international teams? England – 1. Initials ‘MP’ – A classy midfielder and graduate of West Ham’s famous academy in the 1960s, he scored for England in the 1966 World Cup final. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, […]

The most prestigious club competition in Europe is undoubtedly the UEFA Champions League (formerly the European Cup); a mixed league/knockout format tournament. You may be familiar with it. And the most prestigious game within the tournament is, obviously, the final. Those interested will have watched Bayern Munich beat PSG 1-0 on Sunday night to win […]

Whether you take the high road (or, indeed, the low road) it’s difficult to deny there is a well-worn trail between the cities of Norwich and Glasgow. Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers, legendary rivals from Scottish football’s smokiest crucible, boast an impressive history and share a heated passion for the game sufficient to shame even […]

There’s a question. So, how do you get promoted? The best guide to the future is always the past; so, as Norwich City have been promoted to the Premier League four times, if we explore what went well on those occasions, we’ll have a better idea of what might work again. But first we need to explore […]

Which ex-City striker shares a footballing award with Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, and Pelé? First we need to consider England’s win in the 1966 World Cup. Importantly, it was a tournament enjoyed by a global audience on television – even in the famously soccer-shy United States. Sensing the American public may finally be ready to […]

Is it silly season yet? Well, it is now… Some nostalgic fun with NCFC player names from over the years. City players who share a famous name… – George Martin (played for Norwich City FC, 1913-27) – Beatles’ producer: ‘We All Live In A Yellow (And Green) Submarine’. – Will Smith (1931-34) – US movie star: ‘Men In Black […]

Six men have managed Norwich City Football Club in the Premier League since 2000:  – Nigel Worthington – Paul Lambert – Chris Hughton – Neil Adams – Alex Neil – Daniel Farke Taking into account all competitive league and cup matches while they were in charge, how do you think they compare on: – Percentage […]

Right, you lot, this has gone on too long. I’m calling a halt to it all now. All this negativity swirling round the place. It’s time for a mild diversion… – Are you an NCFC fan? – Do you know your stuff? – Are you prepared to prove it? If you answered ‘yes’ to all […]