Norwich City Football Club - Al & Val's We Meet Again

It's our podcast's final episode and we have saved the best for last as we talk about those great East Anglian rivals Norwich City and Ipswich Town. Episode 5 is an epic including:Football cycles as we are on a downward spiral and Town are on the rise (excuse to get this podcast out before the famous unbeaten run ends!).We talk about the rivalry and derbies in general.We recall our first derbies. A top-of-the-table clash, winning away at Portman Road, Friday nights under the lights, Cureton's green hair, and the Gunny air-shot.Significant games (there are so many) FA Cup wins, title destroyers, semi-final successes, top of the league, the 9 v 2 ........... Player connections and best goals.The lads conclude on a special game and look back fondly on their podcast adventure - Until the next time........on the ball city.Thanks for listening to our Norwich FC podcast Al (Allan Kemp) - Norwich geek and exiled fanVal (Val Tolhurst) - Upper Barclay season ticketer and 'super' fanContact us on Twitter: @AlandValWeMeetAgain1 Spread the word and keep talking Norwich ..............

Next up in Al & Val's Norwich City series is the penultimate episode and it's the crazy gang from South London - Wimbledon FC.This week the chaps talk about the factors that made the Dons so successful and why they dominated the Canaries after both went up in 1986.We look back at the last meetings and Val's corporate day out at the National Hockey stadium watching Norwich grind out a 0,1 against 9 men.We cover the sad demise of Wimbledon and the controversial relocation.There's Ekuko, Francis, and gladiator's anchorman John Fashanu.and much more Norwich chat..........Thanks for listening to our Norwich FC podcast Al (Allan Kemp) - Norwich geek and exiled fanVal (Val Tolhurst) - Upper Barclay season ticketer and 'super' fanContact us on Twitter: @AlandValWeMeetAgain1 Spread the word and keep talking Norwich ..............

Play up Pompey. Next up for Al and Val is Portsmouth FC. This week we discuss:- Back from financial implosion - the lads talk football finances.- A famous night, Foxy's assist, and promotion clinched.- Another promotion at Fratton Park. We look back at all NCFC top flight promotions, where they were clinched and when. What is the perfect promotion?- Raggett, Harper, Power and Nelsonand much much more ..... Thanks for listening to our Norwich FC podcast Al (Allan Kemp) - Norwich geek and exiled fanVal (Val Tolhurst) - Upper Barclay season ticketer and 'super' fanContact us on Twitter: @AlandValWeMeetAgain1 Spread the word and keep talking Norwich ..............

Next up in our final NCFC series, is another famous old club from the North West - Bolton Wanderers.We review the Big Sam revolution and Bolton's success in targeting superstars at the twilight of their careers (could Norwich replicate that?).Last meetings - more final-minute fever at Carrow Road and Farkeball in full flow.Meeting in the 1923 FA Cup as Bolton progressed to the famous white horse final.League Cup meetings and penalty shootouts.and a couple of notable player connections.This and much more NCFC chatThanks for listening to our Norwich FC podcast Al (Allan Kemp) - Norwich geek and exiled fanVal (Val Tolhurst) - Upper Barclay season ticketer and 'super' fanContact us on Twitter: @AlandValWeMeetAgain1 Spread the word and keep talking Norwich ..............

The Championship is back and so are Al & Val for the final series of their Norwich City Football club podcast 'We Meet Again'.First up it's our bogey side, the club with the neutral end - Fulham.Our awful record aside we also talk about: - Managerial debuts and a certain maverick- A shocking end to survival Sunday- A record signing (who ended up at Yarmouth)There is also a chance to gauge thoughts and expectations as City begin another Championship campaign.Thanks for listening to our Norwich FC podcast Al (Allan Kemp) - Norwich geek and exiled fanVal (Val Tolhurst) - Upper Barclay season ticketer and 'super' fanContact us on Twitter: @AlandValWeMeetAgain1 Spread the word and keep talking Norwich ..............

After an extended World Cup break the lads are back for their annual end-of-season review or football therapy part 2.Yes, it has been another tough season for all those of the green and yellow persuasion as we look back at the fateful Dean Smith reign and reflect on the new era under David Wagner.  We discuss the critical games that tell the season's story before finally concluding with the famous Al & Val end-of-season awards .......Thanks for listening to our Norwich FC podcast Al (Allan Kemp) - Norwich geek and exiled fanVal (Val Tolhurst) - Upper Barclay season ticketer and 'super' fanContact us on Twitter: @AlandValWeMeetAgain1 Spread the word and keep talking Norwich ..............

It's the final episode of our mini-series 3 and it's the home of the world's oldest football club - Sheffield.The Blades from Bramall Lane - An iconic stadium that has hosted both international football and cricket matches - Ticking all of Val's great stadium boxes.We discuss the recent rivalry driven by Chris Wilder's 2017 rant and a fight for promotion in 2018/19.There are a couple of big FA Cup wins and a heroic goalkeeping display.Neil Warnock, the Tevez controversy, overlapping centre-backs and much much more.

It's a doubleheader with Blackpool coming swiftly after the WBA episode.Blackpool the iconic away trip gets the lads thinking about what makes the perfect away trip and any they have been on that comes to mind.We try to recall the last meetings and a 7,1 aggregate win in 2014/15Player connections? Wes Hoolahan is obvious but there are many more as some obscure ex-Canaries get a mention.Finally, we talk about a forgotten semi-final. The League Cup was in its  infancy but important as Norwich went on to win a first domestic cup

Al and Val are back after a break to discuss Norwich City's history with fellow yo-yo'ers WBA.We dissect the recent draw reflecting on the general Carrow Road discontent despite the Canaries sitting high in the League.We look back at the last meetings in Farke's first title-winning season when the vibe was much more positive.There's an early FA Cup meeting, a Cyrille Regis goal of the season and Al freezing at the Hawthorns.Final thoughts - There is a relegation 6-pointer and Val remembers the day the deckchairs came out!

Episode 3 and it's our unlikely friends from the North East! Al and Val remember one of the greatest days in NCFC history (Milk Cup '85) and one of the lowest (FA Cup '92) - Sunderland involved in both.Then there's the friendship cup and a major FA Cup shock in our non-league days.Throw in a relegation 6-pointer, a Tettey wondergoal, and tales of trips to Wearside  - It's an episode with plenty to chat about......

Episode 2 and it's Hull (City not Tigers) once England's largest city to have never seen top-flight football. A fact ended by former Norwich target, Dean Windass's wonderful playoff-winning half-volley.We talk Premier League meetingsPossible the greatest ever assist at Carrow RoadBeating the big boys in the '59 cup but we couldn't beat Hull in the league - So how can clubs raise their game for the cup?A crucial win in 1971/72 to get the promotion chase back on trackand much much more...... 

The lads are back for a short, sharp and sweet series 3!First, it's a town more associated with its Rugby League but Wigan have plenty of footballing pedigree.Al and Val both reminisce about trips to the JJB.There is a classic FA Cup shock and another sliding doors momentJason Jarrett and an opening day meetingMalky Mackay's Latics shock Alex Neils high flyers.and much much more

The boys are back with their end of season review or, in this case, an hour of 'football therapy'!There is plenty to discuss and the post-mortem is in full swing as they look back on another dismal top-flight campaign for the Canaries.The 'A' word apathy is mentioned before Al & Val pick out their defining games in the season. They then end the series with the prestigious Al & Val season awards. 

It's a bonus episode of Al and Val's Norwich City Podcast as the FA Cup 3rd round draw takes us to The Valley and Charlton Athletic.This week the lads talk;1. Joint managers and who they would select if Norwich adapted this2. Full-back playing connections starring at Wembley3.  Al's big day out as a ballboy4. Losing your ground and the footballing theory of siege mentality5. Two contrasting Canary managers bite the dust after losing to the Addicks6. Poetic justice at The Valley and a shout to Michael Nelson  

It's the final episode (FA Cup special aside) of our Norwich City Podcast 'Al & Val We Meet Again' - The podcast all about our club Norwich City and our upcoming opponents - which this week are Crystal Palace;We talk last meetings with the tale of two 'offside' goals and the rare Ralf FahrmannThere are early meetings and a common ground nameThe stuff of legends - Dave Stringer and an epic '4' pointerShared relegationsOverhead kicks, post-Robert Chase and much much more ........

It's the penultimate episode of Al & Val's Norwich City Podcast and this week the lads talk Norwich City and West Ham.There's a first-ever league win for the Canaries on the national stage.We talk grounds with West Ham the first team to visit Carrow RoadLast meetings a crucial injury and Antonio quadruple And we honour Ken Brown, Martin Peters and 'Disco' Dale Gordon - not forgetting a big shout to two other player connections in Green and Ashton

On this week's podcast, the boys talk Norwich City and Aston Villa.It is dominated by manager connections with Smith, Lambert and SaundersThere's a League Cup final decided by a handball, the day injuries caught up, a perfect away win and a controversial 'un-celebrated' goal.This and much much more on Al & Val's NCFC We Meet Again

The world's most famous club? it's certainly one that Norwich have an excellent record against. This week Al & Val fondly talk cup successes, '80s league dominance and possibly the greatest league shock of all as Ashton and McKenzie send Fergies superstars packing. This and lots more on their Norwich City Podcast - Al & Val's we meet again

Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur - This week is Val's 'second' team Spurs - Loads for the lads to get their teeth into on their Norwich City Podcast including;Val's assessment of the new-look White Hart Lane and a thrilling night in the Cup; Last meetings - Pukki's armpit and VAR misery; A record City victory in the Southern League; Wembley 1sts; Kanoutes step-overs and the famous 5and lots and lots of player connections ...... 

The Toon Army, Edwardian Masters, Entertainers ........ this week it is the famous Black and White of Newcastle United.On their Norwich City Podcast Al & Val talk about; False dawn and a missed opportunity. Oli who.... in a famous FA Cup win, Supermac and the doubles, Brazilian magic at Carrow Road, Ruel Fox and Alex Neil's watershed moments.

Injury time winners, playoff joy and the form book goes out of the window - Episode 11 and its the former unofficial champions of Europe - The Black and Gold of Wolverhampton

This week is one of Norwich's oldest rivals and a club very similar to the Canaries - It's Southampton FC.Plenty for Al & Val to get into including;1) An early meeting - City's very first at a national level2) Some high scoring encounters and a goal of the season3) Club connections with goal-scoring machines Ron Davies and Mick Channon4) Mr Southampton (Ted Bates) a Norfolk man5) A last big night in front of the Barclay-end terrace - A game that had everything.

Cheer up, life has not always been so bad following Norwich City! Championship parties, promotion battles and player connections - Episode 9 - Leeds United has it all and much much more

Next up it's the best team in Europe, as Al and Val look back at significant moments in history between Norwich City and Chelsea.This week we talk cash and Abramovich changing the landscape of English football, but there hasn't always been such a big gap between the two clubs on and off the pitch...Last meetings and a spring in the step of Farke's champions.One of the all-time classic FA Cup goals + player connections in Gilmour, Fleck and TownsendAn abandoned game with Wembley in touching distanceand much more.......

This week the lads revisit some big games and prominent player connections between The Canaries and Seagulls.  Episode 7 includes; 1. Brighton a model club for the rest to emulate; 2. a trip down memory lane and the unusual surroundings of the Withdean; 3. Player connections Bennett and Crofts; 4. An FA Cup record and unique two-legged affair; 5. Sticking with the Cup, a big quarter-final and a controversial winner and finally; 6. a defining defeat in the Alex Neil reign 

This week the lads turn their attention to The Clarets of Burnley - We haven't met the founding Football League members much but there is still plenty for Al & Val to get their teeth into including; 1. Past meetings a post-Manchester City hangover and the day everything went wrong; 2. How fortunes can change so quickly in football as both NCFC and Burnley prove; 3. We explore the concept of yo-you clubs; 4. Famous triple debutants and the ruthless end of the Nigel Worthington era; and finally; 5. Two big player connections.

This week its top-flight regulars, Liverpool's oldest professional club - Everton. Lots to discuss as we look back on a rare Premier League away win, honour two Norwich City Legends with Merseyside connections, appreciate a title-clinching win at Carrow Road and remember a historic match in Canary history.

It's footballing royalty this week as the lads admire the history and class of Arsenal FC. Never relegated we focus on the Invincibles and Arsene Wenger's influence on English football and Norwich's attempts to beat themWe discuss their current transition and a recent 2.2 at Carrow Road that was full of VAR controversyMore cup shocks in Norwich's favour A 21 man Highbury brawlAnd one of Norwich's greatest ever away wins to kick off the Premier League era

This week it is the turn of 2015/16 Premier League Champions - Leicester City. Of course, that season gets some coverage including comparables to City in '92/93. The chaps also discuss the last game in front of a capacity ground before lockdown, a couple of club records (attendance and transfer) involving Leicester, some relegation and promotion defining games and a surreal week in 1996 with plenty of player connections.

It's as tough as it gets, as this week the boys discuss the big-spending, star-studded Manchester galacticos (City) and the widening gap between them and Norwich. This week is a busy one as we revisit one of Norwich's all-time great League victories, the birth of a cult hero after an 11-second debut goal, Delia and that iconic Premier League moment, a dismal run including record defeats, John Bond / Kevin Reeves big money and NCFC's few England players,  Johnny Howson wonder goal, Tevez golf swing and that Huckerby transfer....

Al and Val are back with the 2nd series of their Podcast, and it opens with a cracker, it's one of the worlds most iconic and successful football clubs - Liverpool FC.                                                                                                                                                        Loads to discuss including a hattrick at Anfield, a dramatic 5.4, Luis Suarez and his many goals, FA Cup shocks, City dominance in the late '80s and, a famous day out as Anfield says goodbye to the Kop.     

Al & Val are back to take a look at one of Norwich City Football clubs greatest ever seasons. The lads discuss their defining moments, key matches and turning points which, for them, told the story of a momentous year where City thrilled and records tumbled. They conclude their review with the first Al & Val awards.

Its the final episode and City are top at the halfway point in the season - The lads look back on series 1 before moving onto Episode 23 and Barnsley;     1) A club we have a fantastic record against;     2) A yellow wall at Oakwell, David Nielson scores and Norwich are on the brink of our first-ever playoffs;     3) Flecky scores to knock out, Norwich Hall of Famer, Mel Machin's Barnsley in the 1992 FA Cup;     4) Bryan Gunn's managerial debut, Jamie Cureton returns and Wes Hoolahan's first-ever Norwich City goal - Optimism returns as Barnsley are thrashed 4.0;     5) Final Thoughts - Andrew Croft does a 'Fashanu'

The penultimate episode and a club that we have played more than any other - Its Queens Park Rangers;     1) Briefly Londons top club, then on the brink of financial ruin - now entrenched in Championship mid-table territory;     2) Loftus Road - A classic football ground - As we talk away ends;     3) Last meetings - A dominant win, Emi's red and Pukki's 'fluke';     4) QPR's title dream ends at Carrow Road;     5) Two Hall of Famers and an expensive flop 

The lads are buzzing as City's performances begin to match results - Next up its fellow Premier League relegation victims and now promotion rivals - Its Watford;     1) The Watford model of high manager rotation and Italian club connections as we explore the concept of feeder clubs;     2) Last meetings in the Premier League - A eye-opening defeat and more post-lockdown misery;     3) Al's first-ever game was Watford so we talk other football firsts;     4) A couple of title-winning parties at Vicarage Road;     5) Hornet Slayer - John 'Dixie' Deehan and his incredible record against Watford.

The winning run of 2.1's continue, City three clear at the top and with players coming back, it all looks good for the visit of Cardiff - This week Al & Val talk;     1. The Murphy brothers, particularly Josh;     2.  A League Cup win that defines the Farke reign and changes the lives of Aarons, Godfrey and Cantwell forever;     3. Cardiff re-branded could it happen at Norwich?;     4. The Darren Huckerby show;     5. A promotion battle, Craig Bellamy and Robert Earnshaw

Next up its Reading - A town Al has a lot of personal connections to and, as we shall see. so does Norwich City;     1. A remarkable draw and a largely forgotten win;     2. Controversy as they refuse to play an FA Cup match at The Next;     3. Our first-ever win in the Football League came at Reading;     4. 102 years at Elm Park and City are the final visitors;     5. An assist from the Ref 'Premier League we're having a laugh

This Saturday top-of-the-table Norwich travel to former Premier League Champions, Blackburn Rovers - Plenty for Al & Val to discuss including;     1. Rovers title was bankrolled by local Millionaire Jack Walker - We talk wealthy investors and whether its time for Norwich to sell out;     2.  A promotion party and a low-key, but crucial, 1.0 pre-Christmas away win;     3.  The Champions pending knock City out of the 1912 FA Cup - Rovers had won it 5 times already including a win over Scottish opposition? - Val fancy a new Anglo-Scottish tournament;     4. We finished 3rd in 1992/93 despite a 7.1 thrashing at Ewood Park and a negative goal difference;     5. Chris Sutton and a British transfer record;     

Spirits are high after a late turnaround against Sheffield Wednesday - Next up another of the Championships 'sleeping giants' - Its two times European Cup winners - Nottingham Forest;     1. We talk Brian Clough, European success and where that ranks in footballs greatest achievements.     2. They had Clough we had John Bond - whose record against Forest was excellent in the '70s;     3. Last Meetings - the comeback of all-time? But the away win was bigger we believe;     4. Norwich and Nottingham in a survival shoot out - Could we turn around a goal average of four to stay up?;     5. Roy Keane the complete midfielder bursting on the scene at Carrow Road;     6. Nottingham Forest at home the first taste of Sky TV and Monday night football 

Next up one of England's grand old clubs - and there's plenty to talk about when we look back at Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City;     1. A true 'sleeping giant' Wednesday has a proud history, passionate fan base and an iconic stadium;     2. An unforgettable couple of games in 2018/19 - four-nil at Hillsborough then Carrow Road with Forestieri, handballs and Mario to the rescue;     3. 'The Wednesday' attract record crowds to Newmarket Road and The Nest;     4. Norwich v Sheffield Wed - our debut on Match Of The Day;     5. 1982, Hillsborough and a most dramatic of promotions;     6. Three Canary legends bowing out in Sheffield

Cheer yourselves up as injuries mount for the Canaries and listen to episode 15 of Al & Val's We Meet Again as the table-toppers prepare to visit Kenilworth Road and Luton - This week Al & Val talk;     1. Our last meeting - a gap of five divisions and one of the FA Cups greatest shocks;     2. Sticking with the Cup and the famous 59s - finally defeated by Luton in the semi's;     3. Jack Vinall goalscorer supreme for both Canaries and Hatters;     4. A goalless draw on the plastic that took Norwich to the summit of English football for the first time in our history;     5. A convincing win as Norwich returned to the 2nd tier for the first time in a decade 

Swiftly after that brilliant backs-to-the-wall victory at Stoke, the table-topping Canaries move onto Coventry and when it comes to the Sky Blues there is plenty to reminisce;     1) A club that has suffered lately - How would Norwich cope if homeless?     2) 2011, a promotion party - Oh Sammy Clingan it could have been you!     3) A club record win and a title shoot-out both back in the 1930s     4) 19 consecutive defeats at the old Highfield Road including one in Englands first all-seater stadium     5) A couple of Coventry legends who helped the club to final day survival but ended their careers as Norwich Hall of Famers     6) Coventry's club-record signing - £6.5m for a Norwich academy product

The boys are back on a cold rainy night - How appropriate next up its Stoke! - This week we discuss;     1. Stokes style and reputation - its the classic tough away day     2. Last meetings - a rare home defeat and a dramatic roller-coaster ride at the Britannia     3. A couple of freak results for the team lower in the table - we debate how these can happen in football     4. Home advantage counts in these games but what is home advantage and has it disappearing in the modern game.     5. Stoke at home on our much-anticipated return to the Premier League - Who would you dream opening day opponents be?     6. and finally talking of opening days Norwich thrash Stoke 5.1 in Aug 1980 but still went down that year - Al & Val look at City's opening day record in relegation seasons 

Middlesbrough brings a smile to every Norwich fan - 25th May 2015 and a wonderful day in the Wembley sunshine - but there's plenty more to discuss as Al & Val cover;     Two crucial 1.0's in the championship-winning season;     City's greatest day - certainly up there as we remember the game, occasion, and our own fond memories;     Sticking with the playoff theme the chaps look at Norwich playoffs that never happened and provide their opinions on the playoffs and how they would revolutionise the Premier League;     Beware when Norwich  do well, Middlesbrough tend to drop, this happened in 1992/93 when a famous draw opened the path to Europe;     and 2004/05 maybe the Premier Leagues greatest comeback     

An early top of the table clash as City welcome from South Wales - The Swans of Swansea;     A club with a great footballing philosophy;     A rarity as Farke's Norwich are out-passed at Carrow Road;     We talk about our old home The Nest as the gates are shut after Swansea's visit;     Al & Val recall an away day and a footballing education back in 2011;     Four goals under Chris Hughton and a long unbeaten run for City in the Premier League     

City really gaining momentum - Looking to build on a fabulous win in the West Country next up its the Lions of Millwall;     The Den, old or new, its a tough place as past results prove particularly an early eye-opener in the Farke reign;     Last meetings an epic comeback and Zimmermann's bullet header;     Royalty visits Carrow Road as the boys discuss celebrity fans;     6.1 home win but not enough to save Neil Adams;     1989, Flecky volleyed winner as NCFC play in the league for the first time on a Sunday and only the second live on TV

Lunchtime showdown in Al's adopted City - In this episode the boys discuss;     What influences which team you decide to support;     2 clubs, 1 city imagine that in Norwich;     Last meetings - A point from a flu hit squad and Kenny's double to burst Bristol's bubble;     A FA Cup defeat to the 1909 finalists and a couple of freak results;     Bristols last top-flight game and It involved the Canaries - Its 40 years and counting;     A Hall of Famer at both clubs - Take a bow Rob Newman;     Al slips in memory of a Norwich  trip to Bristol but this time its Rovers

The fixtures are coming thick and fast and already plenty of late drama. Tuesday night and a visit to another new stadium - Its Brentford;     We talk new grounds, Griffen Park and the Moneyballs, statistics-based strategy;     A club on the up but we explore the concept of the 'footballing hangover';     Southern League rivals and our 1st every fixture in Englands 2nd tier;     Emi's first Norwich goal and a big thank you to Sergi Canos;     Lambert in the stands at our lowest point and a Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash;     A rare defeat for Alex Neil as Pritchard bossed it and the Whittaker experiment fails.     

After a few weeks away Al & Val are back to talk Wycombe Wanderers -  Playing in the 2nd tier for the first time in the club's history - Fans missing this special time for the club -  A first meeting, the FA Cup and the end of a golden era -  Ambitious and successful Wanderers manager O'Neill and his Norwich connections - League 1 our only league games, the Lambert dynasty begins, Grant Holts first Carrow Road goals and Korey scores the winner - A thrilling cup encounter and a hat-trick for Jordan Rhodes - Should we have bought him?

A welcome back to the mid-week fixture and a look this week at Birmingham City;A last-minute goal and the first point on the road to ChampionsPlayoffs, The Millenium and penalty heartbreakPartners in Promotion - 1971/72 a glorious season for Brum and CityA record top-flight aggregate win and the never-ending FA Cup tieA Dean Ashton inspired win and the great escape of 2004/05 is in our hands...A massive Christmas win for Farke and a star is born

An international break and a closed transfer window - There maybe a couple of weeks until City's next game but Al and Val get in early to preview our next opponents Rotherham United;One of our own in the opposition campA key win - made in the academy3 promotions and 3 tough trips to South YorkshireA collector's item from Ricky