When did Michael Turner become the worst player in Norwich's history? It was only a month or so ago that people were saying hit was between him and Tettey for player of the season. Edit: I see this post is from 2012...
excellent post 1950! It certainly brings into stark contrast the fortunes of both of the East Anglian clubs since those times. What was your earliest memory of the Old Farm Derby and what was the rivalry like between our two clubs back in the 50s and 60s? It would be interesting to read your take!
Andy Hughes, he was an absolute stinker of a player. Stood out like a sore thumb even when in a struggling team.
I nearly forgot. Gary Doherty, no player did more damage to this club over such a long period than him.
As you say - memory can play tricks. To be fair when Charlie played for us I was only 10 or 11 but I cannot forget how bad he was!!!
I came across 150canary's comment on Charlie Billington following a search for former Watford players. At the age of 30, Charlie was well passed his best when he was transferred from Norwich to Watford in 1957. Charlie only made 14 appearances for Watford (initially as captain) and his career was virtually over by Christmas. As described by 1950canary, he certainly was slow, but could never be considered as too short. He cut a commanding figure when I first was him at Vicarage Road; an enormous man, towering above every other player - can't find any statistics but I would guess he was at least 6' 4". As can be seen from the attached Aldershot Team photo of 1950, Charlie was no midget! View attachment 34269
Sorry Warky but I missed this at the time. The rivalry was always as fierce as it is now but I can't recall too much violence in those days despite there being no segregation of supporters. The only time I can remember it kicking off was a game at Portman Road - I am sure it was Boxing Day - where the goal at the end we defended in the first half was an ice-rink. Our GK was sliding all over the place but nothing was done but at half time out comes the groundsman with sand and salt etc. A few of our supporters behind that goal ran on the pitch - groundsman went one way his bucket went flying the other - a PC running to protect the groundsman slipped over and broke his ankle and it kicked off in several sections of the ground. As a generalisation you were far better than us in the 50's and 60's, there were spells when you were in Divisions above us and when our paths did cross you won more often than not. Happy days eh Warky!!!
As I pointed out I was only 10 or 11 at the time and all I could really recall was that he was dreadfully slow and often beaten in the air which I, mistakenly, put down to lack of height. Obviously he was too slow in getting to the ball. What is more surprising is that I did find the professional record of Cameron Buchanan who I maintained was a far worse player than Charlie. In 15 years as a professional he played for 4 Clubs but only made a total of 86 appearances including 3 for Norwich. How bad can a player be to be remembered for 3 games 58 years later by a person who was only 11 at the time. Nobody with that lack of talent nowadays would get further than Eaton Park!!
Ray Crawford in his autobiography "Return of the Jungle Boy" mentions a cup tie between us I think in the late 50's up at Carrow Road. He writes that when the team bus was just a mile or so from your ground, all he could see as he looked outside the window, were loads of Norwich supporters holding up Coffins with the words Ipswich Town RIP! It had a terrific galvanizing effect on the team apparently and we ended up winning the match 2-1! I don't go that far back and I guess I'm a real young'un as my first experience of watching an EA Derby was at Portman Road in August 1972 and you bastards won! Jimmy Bone? I think scored both your goals? Anyhoo happy memories!
You've got me there Warky as I can't remember playing you in the Cup in the 50's. I can remember a Cup match in the early 60's where we drew at Carrow Road and then, amazingly, won the replay either 2-0 or 2-1 but that is the only Cup match I can remember before the later League Cup clashes.
Apologies for repeating myself, but the computer crashed (spiritual intervention from the big man himself?) so I assumed my original comment was lost.
Your absolutely right - on reflection, it is amazing to think that clubs like Norwich and Watford could afford to hold on to players with such little talent. I suppose many of them were there simply as permanent reserve team players. (Again, apologies for repeating myself).
