Ironic that as we reach for the sun cream and pull on our shorts for just about the first time this summer, the football season starts. In spite of two months without a World Cup or a European Championship, the big kick off seems to have come round remarkably quickly and by this time next week we'll already have three games under our belt.

Ironic that as we reach for the sun cream and pull on our shorts for just about the first time this summer, the football season starts.

In spite of two months without a World Cup or a European Championship, the big kick off seems to have come round remarkably quickly and by this time next week we'll already have three games under our belt.

And so here we are. Beckham's a few more million dollars richer, the Tevez farce apparently has no end, Leeds remain deep in the mire, Joey Barton's been in court again and Delia's bringing out a new book. Nothing much has changed then.

Nothing much that is, apart perhaps from inside the walls of Carrow Road and Colney.

I sense a healthy new air of hope, optimism and, dare I say it, patience.

The media and expert commentators are putting their money on the Charltons and Sheffield Uniteds, which has taken a little of the pressure and focus away from Norfolk, and this is no bad thing either.

On Monday night the Capital Canaries held their AGM at the Swiss Cottage pub in London. The forum that followed was probably as good as we've ever had and it was a real pleasure to welcome Jim Duffy and Andrew Turner, along with the old favourites of course, to our meeting for the first time.

But Grant, Duffy and co will be aware that the current feel good factor is going to be tested in the first 10 or 11 games.

Everyone I've spoken with seems quietly confident about the new group of players, but no one can be certain how the team will perform.

Clearly we'll miss the clinical finishing of Earnie and the ever improving guile of Dickson, but I'm excited about the addition of a little more steel and grit in the middle of the park and relishing the return of Jamie up front.

If I've learned one thing about Peter Grant during his short tenure so far, it's that he's clearly a man who is all about characters and attitudes.

It's no coincidence that Russell and Brellier have arrived, adding some much needed blood and guts to the midfield. I think the Safri departure sums up the gaffer: either want to play for Norwich City or go somewhere else.

As we turn over to this new page in our club's history, we can be assured that the contingent of Caps fans, who travel up from the smoke every other Saturday, will be giving their full support to the team.

All the best lads and On the Ball City!