Norwich city football club

Entrance into the new NCFC stand

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Several books have been written about the club however we will just concern ourselves with a few dates and events.

Norwich City football club had very small beginnings - a far cry from today's multi-million pound transfer and TV deals.

It was not until the end of the 1800's that association football was being played and in 1881 the Norfolk County Football Association was formed. Meanwhile many local clubs were being formed.

An important team at this time was the Norwich Church of England Young Men's Society. They soon achieved ascendancy in the Norwich area. The captain was Robert Webster and the vice-captain was Joseph Cowper Nutchley.

In 1902 a meeting was held at the behest of Webster and Nutchley and the motion was to form the Norwich City Football Club. The first Chairman of Norwich City Football Club was Robert Webster and he was elected at the same meeting. Arthur Turner and John William Howes were appointed as joint secretaries.

Arthur Turner vigorously recruited 'new blood' for the team:

· Percy Gooch
· Langford Baker (forward)
· Arthur Sutherland
· Eric Chamberlain
· Bill Cooks (goalkeeper)
· Bob Pointer
· Horace King
· Henry Royal (centre half)
· Bob Baker (inside forward)
· Herbert Vigar

Originally, Norwich City were called the 'Citizens' or 'Cits'. The football strip was half white and half blue!

The new club obtained permission to use the grounds at Newmarket Road (still there - on the left-hand side going out of the city).

The first ever Norwich City vs Ipswich Town took place in 1902 - Norwich City won 1 - 0 in front of a crowd of 1,700 people.

In 1905, to resolve various 'difficulties' in particular with claims that the club had turned professional, Wilfred Lawson Burgess was elected the new Chairman, George Gibb secretary and Percy Robertson was appointed Treasurer.

Clear direction was thereafter given for the Norwich City Football Club to become a professional football team.

In that same year John Bowman was appointed as the team's manager.

Some signings by Bowman were:

· Arthur Archer
· Jimmy McEwen

By 1906 Robert Webster, Arthur Turner, and Joseph Cowper Nutchley had rejoined the Norwich City Football Club Board.

The song 'On the Ball' was probably written in the 1890's - but not for Norwich City FC.

Charlie Miles was Norwich FC's first Trainer and was hired circa 1906.

In January 1908 the last FA Cup tie was played at Newmarket Road - the Canaries won!

Not too long after the club was informed that they would now have restrictions on the use of the ground at Newmarket Road and one John Pyke had the idea of using a disused chalk pit into a football ground. - Ruymp's Hole - just off Rosary Road.

The last match was played at Newmarket Road in April 1908.

Much work was done to make The Nest fit to be a football ground however this was finally successful and the first match was in September of that year.

The club has gone from strength to strength and recently has launched itself back into Premiership football.

Visit the following address for the Norwich City official Website:

http://www.canaries.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Welcome

Read some interesting facts about the club at:

http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/NORWICHC.HTM

Recommended reading for a much deeper background:

- The Official History of Norwich City FC

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If you have any commentary on the photos, we will be glad to hear from you!