The Champions League? The Europa League? An F.A. cup win? Premier League survival? Entertainment? Success? What is it that you want from our club?
As a twenty-something who has attended matches for 20 years and now into the 5th year as a season ticket holder I often question if Norwich City will ever develop, full-scale, into a top flight success story. On current evidence, I fear not and the ‘Little old Norwich’ tag will remain for the future.
My view is that there require some change and ambition shown that we will struggle to see from the current owners and business model. With some savvy business decisions and some real ambition (risk), I do not believe it is too far-fetched to consider Norwich regularly being safe in the Premier League without points being needed in the final 5 games and to find themselves deep in cup competitions. Why not? Others have found momentum by using shrewd appointments and transfer spending to solidify their Premier League place and kick on into potential European campaigns. I’m looking at Swansea and Southampton here for comparison. Swansea are likely to find issue with location like ourselves and turned to a European name to star as the catalyst to attract better players. Why was this not the approach at any of the recent appointments I ask at Norwich City?
I read it that Norwich City F.C., its board and executives are afraid of what may be an even bigger project than getting the club into the black was. Based on the current situation and the previous premier league campaigns it is evident we have only mildly dipped our toes into European markets for either players or staff. This I believe is a fundamental error that will cause us to become the modern-day West Brom, yoyoing back and forth between Championship and Premier League campaigns (whether it be every year or 1/2 seasons). Is this not just frustrating? I believe so.
The fans have a part to play in accepting modern football as it is, and after new TV rights deals what it will be to a higher degree, A BUSINESS. Yes we are in Norfolk, yes we are not the urban metropolis of London or other areas of the UK but we have to make savvy and at times risky decisions, on players, staff (and things like having a club App). It may not be to everyone’s taste but if we are ever to compete on a level of a top 10 club the business side of the football club needs to be modern and keep up with everything the top clubs can do. Why does it on a ‘little old Norwich’ scale? If we are to have an official app that the club endorses why choose something of little significance. Why were we not looking for something to sponsor that is relevant, modern and able to be related to the football club? We announced a deal with Coral, not to everyone’s taste adding their name to the Barclay but I have no problem with it. It’s still the same stand I sit in, it has zero influence on me and my afternoons at the football. If the fans can embrace these business changes (well the solid ones) without moaning on the terraces and take it as a part of football I feel it will be one step in the right direction.
The second step has partly been underway over the last 18 months.The young fans who have become involved in the club, from reporting on it to attending matches, especially away games I think is a great positive start to where we need the club to be. it will allow many to become engaged in the club via social media and connected together as fans. Many of us take to twitter on friends’ pages and the like to give our own viewpoint on an array of issues. The fact that they are becoming interconnected and entwined with other campaigns such as ‘twenty’s plenty’ is only a positive for the future. We need the club to be accessible to all fans and to allow each generation to become more involved than the last. I have found that the majority of those that I have met on away games are there for enjoyment, are happy to support their team, create an atmosphere but more than anything want their team to succeed and progress. It will not be enough to stand still, be accepting of the status quo. The club needs to utilise what it has and where financial incentives can be used to paper over our shortfalls of location and attractiveness to coaching and playing staff alike, then it quite frankly has to be done.
I am aware that there are many holes in this argument, but fundamentally I believe with only slight changes to the great club we have it can be made greater and for the long-term. Wouldn’t it be great to get 2 marquee signings rather than 4 squad players for the same money? Maybe I will discuss the transfer policy itself next time….
