Norwich City

After months of waiting, Norwich City have confirmed Norfolk FB Holdings, led by American businessman Mark Attanasio, have formally become joint majority shareholders of Norwich City.

The group successfully passed a number of checks by the EFL to secure 40.4 percent of the club’s ordinary shares. That's exactly the same number as Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones.

It's the first time in more than 25 years Delia and Michael are not majority shareholders in their own right.

Shareholders voted in favour of the American increasing his involvement at a general meeting held at Carrow Road back in October 2023.

A memorial match for a former Norwich City academy player will take place at Wroxham football club on 6 May 2024.

18-year-old Joe Dix was murdered in January 2022, he had been a youth team player at Carrow Road.

Current player Joe Duffy was friends with Joe Dix and has helped organise the event.

The Scrimmage spoke to former City players Declan Rudd and Ryan Jarvis who will both be involved in the special game:

You can find out more about the Joe Dix Foundation by visiting the website here (external link)., external

Opinion: On the ball, Gunners

Gary Gowers, My Football Writer Norwich City, external

It may seem a tad odd to kick off a Norwich City column with a homage to Arsenal but that’s what I’m about to do. Forgive me.

It’s not a huge thank you to the Gunners for delivering us the services of one Ben Knapper, or even a belated one for granting us a brief (but not brief enough) audience with the Brazilian magic of Marquinhos.

Nor am I about to sidle up to a paid-up member of the ‘big six’ – one of that select band who deem the other 86 clubs to be unworthy and who would (I suspect), if the right circumstances prevailed, be off to the European Super League quicker than you could say ‘I’m alright, Jack’.

No, it’s unrelated to all of the above, but Arsenal have got something right, which is to unearth a heart-string-tugging and emotive anthem that, when played just before kick-off, unites The Emirates in a way that under the latter years of Arsene Wenger and, more recently, under Unai Emery, felt a million miles away.

You may have heard it. Said tune is called 'North London Forever' (or, more precisely, 'Norf Landan Forevvver') and is one that they kind of commissioned by a Norf Landan singer/songwriter called Louis Dunford. If you’ve not heard it, I recommend a trip to YouTube.

It ticks all of the boxes: gets the adrenalin flowing, the chests puffed out and brings together all the disparate factions of Islington.

But what’s that got to do with Norwich City?

I’ll go route one - I think we could do with something similar.

"But we already have On the Ball, City."

Well, yes and no.

Yes, we do have On the Ball, City, which is belted out in the same ‘slot’, but those who have read my column(s) will know my thoughts on the ‘oldest and greatest football song in the world’.

I agree it’s probably the oldest but in its current guise, I’m not sure if it’s in the conversation for the greatest – not when it’s sung at a hundred miles an hour and its last line has been virtually erased from history.

It still has its moments of course, and the recent rendition before Norwich 1 Ipswich 0 was something quite special, but I reckon to get the best out of it and for it not to rest on its ‘oldest and greatest’ laurels, it could do with some competition.

So step forward Sons Of Mark – duetting brothers from the fine city who are making their way in the music industry with an indie acoustic sound that lends itself nicely to a footie anthem. And guess what … they’ve delivered one. A corker.

Those who frequented the Lion & Castle on Saturday will have seen the lads perform a Norwich City-themed set, which included their latest offering entitled, appropriately enough, Our Fine City.

Listen to it here, external (external link), external

As mentioned above, I’m not suggesting for a moment it replaces OTBC – nothing really could – but as an accompaniment, I’d say it’s just about perfect.

And if it can work in, of all places, The Emirates, then why can’t a new anthem work in Carrow Road?

Come on Norwich City, let’s make it happen.

Former Norwich City striker Ryan Jarvis was a special guest on The Scrimmage podcast this week.

He was joined by the Canaries' goalkeeper coach Declan Rudd.

Both agreed that forward Ashley Barnes is a vital player for the team.

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds here.

Rob Butler and Chris Reeve were joined by two former Norwich City players for the Scrimmage podcast this week.

Ryan Jarvis is still playing local football for non-league Leiston, Declan Rudd is now a goalkeeping coach at his former club.

Rudd thinks City's current number one Angus Gunn is the best stopper in the Championship.

You can listen to the full podcast here.

Image source, Getty Images

Opinion: Norwich City’s smoking Gunn

Steve Sanders, NCFC Numbers, external

Much of Norwich City’s revival this season has been placed at the feet of Josh Sargent. And fair enough, right? 12 goals in 20 games and a demonstrably transformative impact when he’s on the pitch are enough reason to think that City’s all-American action hero deserves his plaudits.

But, almost by stealth, the team’s improvement at the other end of the pitch has arguably been starker.

It’s easy to forget but, aided and abetted by that game at Home Park (sorry for dredging that one back up), their defensive start to the season was epically bad. Most goals conceded by a Norwich City team in the first 10 games for 17 years. Worst defensive record in the division after 15 games. By the end of November they’d already conceded more away from home than in the entirety of 2020/21. Yeh, grim.

A sports psychologist would advise us not to dwell on previous transgressions though, and these are changed times. The Canaries conceded eight in the three games at Carrow Road that nearly did for David Wagner in the autumn. They’ve recovered to concede the same number in their next 14 at home.

And you might not find a more succinct summation of this crazy season of two halves than this. First 22 games: 39 conceded. The next 22 games? 22 conceded.

Going from shipping goals twice a game to once a game takes some doing, so how did we get here?

A less cavalier approach to the full-back roles, a return to form for Ben Gibson and Jack Stacey in the back four, and the introduction of Marcelino Nunez’s tenacity in midfield have undoubtedly helped.

So too, surely, has the steadying presence of Angus Gunn, who once again showed on Saturday why his pair of hands are reliably safe for Norwich.

It’s difficult to quantify the performances of a keeper, but the excellent FBref, external website does some of the work, using my old friend xG (expected goals) to determine how a goalkeeper has performed based on the quality of the chances they’ve saved and conceded.

Excluding own goals, Angus has let in 43 from an xG of 47.1 in the Championship this season, so has effectively saved the Canaries four goals (4.1 if we’re being pedantic) this season, the third best record in the division. 3.0 of that 4.1 has been since Boxing Day, and these numbers don’t even include his game-changing contribution against Bristol City yet.

The unfortunate Mr Hyde to Gunn’s Dr Jekyll is George Long, who by contrast conceded 2.9 more than the chances he faced. So a very crude statistical conclusion would be that Angus’ involvement has been worth seven goals across the season.

All told it’s now 37 Norwich City clean sheets for Angus, just 136 to go to catch his dad. Norwich City fans of a certain age will know that, to paraphrase John Lennon: happiness is an in-form Gunn.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Butler and Chris Reeve are back with another Scrimmage on BBC Radio Norfolk (Monday, 18:00 GMT).

Special guests are former Canaries Declan Rudd and Ryan Jarvis.

The panel look ahead to the final two games of the Championship regular season, can City secure their play-off place?

You can subscribe to the podcast version of the show here.

Scrimmage co-host Chris Reeve reflects on a draw for the Canaries against Bristol City and issues a rallying cry ahead of the vital game against Swansea City (Saturday, 15:00 GMT).

Tune into The Scrimmage on BBC Radio Norfolk at 18:00 on Monday or subscribe to the podcast here.

Norwich City goalkeeper Angus Gunn said his team were happy with a point against a tough Bristol City side at Carrow Road in the Championship last Saturday.

The Canaries still have their play-off aspirations in their own hands with two games left. This Saturday they host Swansea (15:00 GMT) before a trip to Birmingham City seven days later (12:30 GMT).

Your views on Norwich City's home draw against Bristol City

Here are some of your thoughts on the Canaries 1-1 draw with Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday:

Mally - Not quite firing on all cylinders against an impressive Bristol City outfit. No harm done…assuming they get back on the horse next week v Swansea!

Jeremy - A draw wasn't too bad but Norwich City could of made it 2-1 before full time yesterday.

Peter - The gap to the chasers is still maintained with one less game for them to catch us, so not a bad result for the Canaries. Bristol City are a good side and in form so the draw was a reasonable result.

Mick - Lucky to get a draw. Bristol City looked fitter and sharper than us. Substitutions were defensive yet again. Bring back Paul lambert’s attitude.

Victor - With everyone fit, there's no need to go buying forwards and strikers. McLean needs some more midfield support, and so does the defence. Sorry to say it, Gibson does not make the grade for me, and I don't know why it has taken so long for this to be obvious. No new contract then. The Academy has produced good defenders, but then we let them go!

Shaun - It was very evident that the build up play is far too slow, too many passes between centre backs and Nunez dropping too deep, creating a back three which then made it too easy for the opposing team to overrun the midfield. There's too much reliance on Stacey to create the width on the right, hopefully Rowe can offer a bit more width once fully fit.

Now is your chance to ask BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham and Rob Butler any questions you have about Norwich City as we move towards an exciting end to the Championship season.

Chris is BBC Radio Norfolk's Norwich City commentator, Rob presents Canary Call and they have travelled hundreds of miles over the years covering the club.

Send us your questions about potential play-off opponents.

Or maybe you'd like to know how long Chris spends preparing for a commentary.

What is Rob's most memorable Canary Call? Now is your chance to find out.

Perhaps you'd just like to know how many bags of sweets they scoff on an away trip.

They will be answering your questions on this website at a special location, so stay tuned!

Send all your queries here.

Or email: [email protected]

Image source, Getty Images

Here's the answer to our regular quiz question, which is devised by BBC Norfolk's Chris Goreham.

A reminder of the teaser:

What does Bristol City manager Liam Manning have in common with Canary greats Chris Sutton, Grant Holt and John Deehan?

The answer:

He played for non-league Norfolk side Wroxham. Sutton, Holt and Deehan also had spells at Trafford Park.

Manning was born in Norwich and played for the Yachtsmen in 2008, he was also on the books of Ipswich Town earlier in his career.

Well done if you got it right!

We want your thoughts on Norwich's draw against Bristol City

Image source, Getty Images

Tell us what you thought about Norwich's draw at home to Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday.

Is it two points lost in the Canaries' push for the play-offs?

Or, with other results going their way, is it a point gained?

Will one more win be enough to secure a place?

Or do you think the team need to aim for two wins?

What did you think of the atmosphere at Carrow Road?

So many questions to answer! Get in touch here.

Flo Allen's view on Norwich City 1-1 Bristol City

Norwich City stuttered in their push for the Championship play-offs following a 1-1 draw against Bristol City at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead in the second half through Haydon Roberts, but Borja Sainz equalised just three minutes later. It's the first time City have failed to win at home in the last nine league matches.

Norwich City Women general manager Flo Allen was BBC Radio Norfolk's summariser, here are some of her full time thoughts:

"Bristol City came and executed a very good game plan.

"They are probably one of the better sides we have seen here at Carrow Road this season. They tried to play very nice football. We (Norwich) probably weren't at our best and Bristol have put in some very good performances recently.

"They've (Bristol City) taken points off Leicester City and for us (Norwich) it's another point gained. Yes, it could be seen as two points lost but it's one more point than we had at the start of the day and it does keep the momentum and this unbeaten run at Carrow Road going."

She continued: "We've got a really important game against Swansea next Saturday and then to finish the season away to Birmingham City."

You can listen to the Canary Call phone-in show with Chris Goreham and Rob Butler on BBC Sounds here.

Norwich City will look to continue their superb home form when they host Bristol City at Carrow Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

A win would see the Canaries on the brink of confirming their Championship play-off place.

You can listen to full live coverage of the game with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM, DAB and Freeview.

The guest summariser is Norwich City Women general manager and former Bristol City defender Flo Allen.

Norwich City host Bristol City at Carrow Road in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

A win would take the Canaries a step closer to securing their play-off place.

Head coach David Wagner says it won't be easy against the in-form Robins:

You can listen to full live coverage of Norwich v Bristol City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM, DAB and Freeview.

Here's our regular pre-match Canary quiz.

As always, the question comes from BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Goreham:

What does Bristol City manager Liam Manning have in common with Norwich greats Chris Sutton, Grant Holt and John Deehan?

Send us your guesses here.

Norwich City supporter Nathan West has been named as the club's fan of the season for 2023/24.

Mr West received widespread support from football fans around the world after he was trolled online in August 2023.

In October 2023 he raised over £60k for charity by completing the Tonbridge Half-Marathon.

David Wagner, Kenny McLean and Jonathan Rowe gave Mr West his award at the club's training ground., external

Congratulations, Westy!

Norwich City have several first team players coming to the end of their contracts in summer 2024.

They include:

• Ben Gibson

• Sam McCallum

• Dimitris Giannoulis

• Danny Batth (option of a further year)

• Jacob Sorensen (option of a further year)

• Ken Aboh

• Jon McCracken

• Dan Barden

Which of these players should the club keep? Get in touch here with your thoughts.

Head coach David Wagner said decisions will be made soon on those players, but the priority is making it to the Championship play-offs:

Opinion: 'Play-off football - and promotion - is in our own hands'

Matthew Soakell, North East Canary

It’s stating the obvious I know, but what a position we found ourselves in to have the chance of finishing in the play-offs and extending our season further in our own hands. And with two of our three remaining games at home, you’ve got to fancy Norwich to finish the season on a high and give the fans the excitement of play-off lottery.

I ended last week’s column by saying that “I hope he (David Wagner) proves me wrong on Saturday away to Preston.” - well he and his team certainly did, and I’m delighted to be proved wrong. I’d mentioned how his in-game management and changes from the bench had been poor and how bad our away form was, but Saturday’s win at Preston felt huge. And credit to Wagner; bringing Jonathan Rowe on at the right time to run at tiring Preston legs and leaving Josh Sargent up front for as long as possible definitely worked. The noise coming out of Colney is that Rowe is still not quite fit enough to start and I think most City fans are fine with him coming off the bench for the last 20-30 minutes to build up fitness just in time for the play-offs, hopefully then giving Wagner a headache about who starts where.

But going back to this weekend’s football, it’s a lovely position to be in to know that we’re fully responsible for what happens going forward. The win at Deepdale almost certainly secured 6th place and I still feel there’s every chance we catch West Bromwich Albion and finish 5th, especially given that two of their three remaining fixtures are Leicester - challenging for the title - followed by Sheffield Wednesday - who’re scrapping for survival! These games won’t be easy for West Brom and I think Norwich’s aim should be catching them and keeping the good form going.

Now isn’t the time to take our foot off the gas, we’re in a position Hull and Coventry would love to be in. Even with their respective games in hand, you’ve still got to fancy Norwich to have cemented 6th place and who’s to say that the side who’re joint top of the form table over the last 10 games (that’s us by the way, Canary fans!) won’t keep that good form going and finish 5th. After that, who knows who we’ll face in the play-off semi finals and hopefully final, but one thing is for certain: it’s some achievement that whatever happens from here on in is in our own hands.

Credit to David Wagner, his coaching staff and the players; no one saw this coming at Christmas, did they?