A word of advice for any would-be MFW writer. In a nutshell: go for it! It’s fun, and in Gary Gowers we have an editor who’s unfailingly sympathetic, flexible and supportive. Well, almost unfailingly. You need to know that every year there’s one day of complete embarrassment and ritual humiliation for the writers on this […]
In life, and especially football, we seek the quick fix. But sometimes there’s no alternative to re-building
I’ve contributed less than usual to this forum over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, I’ve been occupied by the serious illness – in one case terminal – of my mum and brother. I mention that not for sympathy (it’s a rare blip in a happy and fortunate life), but because it gives you some different perspectives. […]
You may say that I’m a dreamer. And in this case, very likely the only one…
My university tutor was a pioneer in the field of semiotics. If I’d spent less of my time on extra-curricular activities, I’d perhaps be able to tell you exactly what it is. But it’s something to do with the process of signs and meanings. Highly relevant, then, in considering our win over Sheffield Wednesday. Before […]
Tough times. But if we were going to abandon Norwich City, perhaps it should have been last year
Like many City fans, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting about our club. I’ve seen numerous fans signalling their disillusionment, and/or saying they’ve fallen out of love with the club. Some of them are people I know and for whom I have great respect; all of them I understand. A run of bad results […]
Caller, you’re on the Norwich City phone-in with Stewart Lewis. This had better be good…
Despite my quibbles with Rob Butler, it’s probably good that I don’t host Canary Call. For one thing, it’s not as easy as it looks. You only appreciate the skills involved if you have a go at something similar yourself. Secondly, though, I wouldn’t show the forbearance that Rob does with his callers. Undoubtedly he’s […]
The destination (so far) may be no surprise. But the journey has been dramatic – and it’s only just started
Every season has its twists and turns, but I can’t think of another one quite like this. If I’d somehow been incommunicado for the past two-and-a-half months – say, abducted by aliens for sexual experimentation – the first thing to do on returning would of course be to check the Championship table. Unlike my time […]
How to get a sensible perspective on Norwich City? Keep calm and listen to Stuart Webber
I’m never sure whether travel actually broadens the mind, but I enjoy it. It certainly refreshes the mind to experience new places and people, to take in different cultures. And, inevitably, to find creative ways of following the fortunes of Norwich City. Advances in technology have reduced the need for extreme measures (my efforts during […]
If only age brought wisdom. But I’ll carry on wearing the shirt and working on it
A few days ago we had a personal piece here from one of MFW’s brilliant young writers, Connor Southwell. It made me reflect on my view from the other end of the spectrum. So I’ll get to the Canaries today, if you’ll bear with a few initial observations on “what’s it like to be 60?” […]
In life and football, it’s important to have a plan – and know when to adjust it
I’m not creative. No false modesty there – it’s unquestionably true. Give me the mechanical mental processing tasks that used to be the core of IQ tests, and I’ll do fine. Ask me to name twenty uses for a flowerpot, though, and you can come back an hour later to find my pen stopped at […]
Millwall: the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning? We’ll see
Seeing my name at the top of today’s column, some may be thinking “Right – it’s Stewart the Optimist. What’s he got to say for himself now?” Well, you deserve for me to say something, and something I can say with honesty. Our editor Gary is always indulgent with his regular writers when situations make […]
Patience under pressure isn’t just a virtue – it’s a way we can tangibly help our club to succeed
Yitzhak Rabin was a tough soldier, rising through the ranks to become Israel’s Chief of the General Staff. When he became Prime Minister, though, he devoted much of his time to exploring a peace deal with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Though ultimately unsuccessful, their efforts won them the Nobel Peace Prize. Asked why he was […]
Villa preview: Brucie, JT, past glories, present unpredictabilities, and an analogue club in a digital age
To set us up for the game at Villa, I spoke to Andrew Raeburn. A Villa fan for 20 years, Andrew is a freelance sports journalist and commentator; among other things, he contributes to BBC Sport Online, West London Sport and WhoScored. As you’ll see, Andrew does not look at his club through rose-tinted glasses. […]
A hungry, organized and passionate Norwich City team – just as we were promised
I’ve fallen behind. That statement could apply to many facets of life – particularly those involving technology – but in this case I’m thinking of the writers on this site. Through the summer my fellow columnists have produced incisive analysis of tactics, formations and the Championship contenders, while I’ve been wallowing in Cambridge nostalgia and […]
The best in the land? Well by one measure we certainly are, and that’s about to take another leap
By kind permission of the club, our friends at Along Come Norwich and Stewart Lewis of MFW spoke to club director Tom Smith at the former Anglian Windows Sports & Social Club, now acquired by the Community Sports Foundation. Today’s piece focuses on CSF and that project; a further article will cover Stewart’s conversation with Tom on […]
Students, socialists and a game of four quarters – my past and present Cambridge world
My dad’s father was unquestionably clever enough to go to university, but his poor background gave him no chance. He worked as a docker in Yarmouth until bad health forced him to stop. My dad was equally clearly a university candidate, but the outbreak of World War II prevented it. He eventually taught, inspirationally but […]
Leadership comes in different forms – it’s unmistakeable and it’s now in evidence at Norwich City
“Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” Abraham Lincoln I won’t take this into a discussion of our current political leaders, tempting as that might be. Suffice to say, perhaps, that Lincoln himself passed the test with flying colours. The principle applies to leadership in […]
Ups and downs of following City on the road – which includes a brush with the very long arm of the law
The publication of the 2016/17 Championship fixture list naturally brought two questions to mind: – What’s the ideal question to ask the Prime Minister at PMQs? – Was Robert Louis Stevenson a Norwich fan? I didn’t have much time for William Hague as Leader of the Opposition. But I later heard him as an after-dinner speaker, and […]
Money can buy footballers. But it’s less good than we think at buying satisfaction and/or pure happiness
Today, just a quick re-cap on where things stand at Carrow Road. Then let’s move on to other important matters – in particular money, envy and (unrelated to the other two) my birthday. Current developments at Norwich warrant at least our interest, and possibly a bit of excitement (though Dave B is excused). What we’re […]
Only the very committed will wear the City shirt next season. And they’ll have to earn their money
Deep breath…. I said a few weeks ago that Stuart Webber would test our faith by letting some of our favourite players go. Little did I realize the test would come so soon and so personally. My favourite player, Jonny Howson, seems destined to be gone before we see our team in action again. In […]
Momentum builds at City as Stuart Webber stays true to his word and finds us a ‘youth focused, dynamic, risk-taker’
Stuart Webber could be forgiven a quiet smile. While the rest of us immersed ourselves in speculation about Rosler, Monk, O’Neill, Keller and assorted others, he quietly went about sealing the deal to secure his number one target. He smiled sweetly as other names were put to him. I saw him, without a word, buy […]