As Norwich City walk out onto the turf at Carrow Road cheered unsurprisingly by a full crowd, little do people remember – or at least, want to remember – that the last time they watched City take to the pitch on the 8th August was six years ago under much different circumstances.
After dropping down to League One for the first time in 49 years, a crowd of 25,217 watched as Cody McDonald’s goal in the 72nd minute came five goals too late against Paul Lambert’s Colchester United, who cruised to a 7-1 victory against the Canaries. Wes Hoolahan is the only player who remains from that day but after such a devastating game, no one
could have dreamed of what was to come.
A change of manager steered City back into the Championship on their first attempt, winning over 60% of games and scoring an incredible 90 league goals overall – not forgetting, what some would call “sweet revenge” with a 5-0 victory against The U’s in the process.
There was, however, much sweeter revenge when the match, which saw the Canaries celebrate promotion back into the second tier, was played against the exact same team at the exact same place as they saw relegation
11 months prior. A 34th minute header against Charlton Athletic from Michael Nelson – who joined Barnet FC this summer – was enough to secure promotion back into the Championship at The Valley.
From that point, the following years need little mention – they’re the ones people want to remember. And just when it seemed the roller-coaster was coming to a halt as City dropped out of the top-flight, City ensured there was absolutely no chance.
Six years ago, Norwich City began their season on the 8th August and lost 7-1 in League One. They went on to win the league by nine points.
Only three players remain from that season – Wes Hoolahan, Russell Martin and Declan Rudd. Alex Neil is City’s 6th manager (including Ian Butterworth as caretaker manager) in as many years. And in that time, Grant Holt, Sebastein Bassong, Robert Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson have all graced the pitch to claim Player of the Season awards. Now, it’s time for another to do the same this season.
In 2015, after shaking off Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough in the Play Offs, Norwich City ensured that the next time they would play on the 8th August it would be in the top flight – coincidentally, it happens to be at Carrow Road once
again.
