Leeds United v Norwich City

Norwich aka Nord or North Wich, once the second largest city in England and as of 2012 designated UNESCO city of Literature. In 2012, The Guardian announced Nord Wich as the UK's happiest city to work in, as did the Sunday Times in 2018, which didn't stop Danish King, Sweyn Forkbeard, from burning it down in 1004 AD. Norwich had its own mint between 924-939 AD which was a license to print money. It is also the only English city to be excommuicated by the Pope, following a fracas between the citizens v the monks. In 1174, Norwich was sacked by the Germanic tribe, The Flemings, led by Hugh Bigod, and on 17 May 2024 Norwich City sacked German manager, David Wagner and appointed Danish Coach, Johannes Hoff Thorup - guess they never learned the lesson of Sweyn Forkbeard.

Norwich City FC was formed after a meeting in Criterion Cafe in 1902. They were originally nicknamed 'The Citizens', which was common amongst those clubs named 'City', eg Man City, Stoke City, Bristol City, Leicester City though not Leeds City . They originally played in blue and white coloured strips. However by 1905, they were already being known as 'The Canaries' and in 1907 switched to their iconic green and yellow colours. How come? Because of the city's history of breeding canaries. The angry birds had been introduced into England via Norwich in the 17th century by the Flemings aka 'The Strangers', who were fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.

The ciitzens/canaries first ground was at Newmarket Road before changing horses and relocating in 1908 to a disused chalk pit previously known as Rump's Hole, on Rosary Road. The new ground was affectinately known as 'The Nest' and running alongside one portion of the pitch was a 50 foot high concrete retaining wall. Behind the wall was a cliff and on top of that cliff was a precariously positioned terrace - you couldn't make this stuff up! In 1922, a barrier on top of the cliff capitulated, sending scores of fans down on to the pitch They nested at the 'nest' for a lofty 27 years before taking flight to Carrow Road. The new Carrow Road ground was humourously known as the 8th Wonder of the World because it was buiilt in 82 days.

Norwich City's football record includes two League Cup winners, 1962 and 1985. Their best league performance was third place in the 1992/92 premiership season. Their greatest ever run in the FA Cup was in 1958/59 when they reached the semi finals. Norwich fans still refer to it as the 59 Cup Run.

Norwich fans sing the oldest football chant in the world - 'On the Ball City'. A dirge of a song with ludicrous lyrics such as 'Kick off, throw in, have a little scrimmage, Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die, On the Ball City'. It's enough to become an Ipswich fan. The Norwich mascot is Captain Canary who sings for his supper and provides information to local police surces. Midfielder, Marco Stiepermann, was forced to wash Super Manager, Daniel Farke's car after falling foul in a game of Wheel of Fortune, to the amusement of fellow team mates. Derby matches against rivals Ipswich Town are known as 'The Old Farm', a not so clever pun on Glasgow's 'Old Firm' derby. Both Norwich and Ipswich refer to themselves as the Pride of Anglia. One of them must be wrong.

Celebrity Chef, Delia Smith, and her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones bought the club in 1996 and our culinary goddess whisked up the rallying cry of 'Lets be aving you' at half time against Fulham only to lose 6-0 and the club were relegated. In 2024 she got her just desserts when the club was gnawed up by Milwaukee Beavers, and about dam time.

Famous celebrities from Norwich include

Alan Partridge

Mike Bassett, England manager and winner of the Clutch Cup

Ruth Madoc

Julian of Norwich

Delia Smith

Sir John Mills

Ed Balls

Olivia Coleman

Stephen Fry

John Humphrey

First World War flying ace, Air Commodore Philip Fletcher Fullard, CBE, DSO, MC & Bar, AFC (27 May 1897 – 24 April 1984)

I don't see the 59 Cup Run causing us any problems in this game. We sit on top of the world with 56 points and our current form is WWDDW. The Singing Canaries enjoy mid table medicority in 11th position and their form is WDWWL. Players to look out for are octagenarian, Angus Gunn, in goal, promising Man City loanee Callum Doyle at CB, Super goal threat Borja Sainz (need to mark him out of the game), and striker Josh Sargent. Blimey, they aren't mugs on paper. But we're not playing on paper, we're playing at Fortress Elland Road. I see a 2-0 win to the Peacocks, Joseph is overdue a goal, so give him a brace. Let's be Aving You Norwich.