One day we’re talking about Tim Krul’s heroics to send Norwich City through to the FA Cup quarter final and the next thing you know we’re watching videos of Tommy Trybull doing keepy ups with a loo roll and Korey Smith performing amazing tricks with a tea bag.
We are living through extraordinary, surreal and shocking times in our world at the moment.
Everyone’s lives have been turned upside down by the dreadful coronavirus pandemic.
With an increasing number of deaths, so many people deeply worried and the nation basically on lockdown, it may seem wrong to even be talking about football.
But the beautiful game is such an intrinsic part of so many of us.
As supporters - especially Canary fans - we go through a myriad of emotions every season.
We celebrate the joys and lament the low points.
It’s of course right that football is on a prolonged lay-off and action mustn’t resume until we’re certain it’s safe to do so,
The last two weekends have seemed really weird without any footy - especially as we were due to have had the crucial league game against Southampton and then the mouth-watering cup clash against Man United at Carrow Road.
Over the coming weeks as the reality of what we’re going through bites hard, all of us are going to go through painfully difficult circumstances.
For some it will be the loss of loved ones. For others it will be isolation. For others it will be inability to cope with the loss of normality of every day life.
Norwich City is sometimes derided for being a family club.
But now, more than ever, it is crucial that the staff, players and fans pull together like never before to help each other through.
We’ve already seen terrific examples of kindness and ingenuity and this week I want to suggest 11 ways - highlighting that great football “one to eleven” mentality - we can support each other as members of our Canary family.
• Contact your fellow fans - especially the older ones. I read this week that 6,000 Carrow Road season ticket holders are over 60, meaning many are in the vulnerable category. Pick up the phone, send a text, copy them into a Twitter or Facebook post. It was great to hear that Todd Cantwell has been ringing fans and the club has been too.
• Try a “keepy up” - I know loo rolls are a precious commodity, so be careful with this one! There are some great videos of the likes of super Tommy T doing lots and lots - as well as Korey Smith doing tekkers with a tea bag. I can manage about three keepy ups with a loo roll, so still work to do....Share your videos and they’re bound to give everyone a chuckle.
• Laughter is a great release from the pressures. Share some jokes - and of course they can be at the expense of that lot down the A140. Here are a couple...”I hear Paul Lambert wants to get caught speeding - it’s the only way he’ll get three points.” And “I rang Portman Road and said ‘What time is kick off?’ The bloke on the switchboard replied ‘What time can you get here?’”
• Enjoy some nostalgia - Our sports team have to think really creatively for content with no games on. They’ve had lots of great ideas.
One of the best has been from Connor Southwell, Paddy Davitt and Tony Thrussell to create Pink Un Classics videos. So far they’ve centred on the last FA Cup quarter final at Carrow Road against Southampton and the great Milk Cup final. It’s been a pleasure to be asked to be involved and it’s been real fun.
• On The Ball City karaoke? I miss singing our anthem so how about banging out a rendition from your home and sharing it?
• Cult heroes - This has been another cracking creation from sports editor Chris Lakey. David Nielsen, Dave Phillips and Dan Pacheco have been among those shared so far - with lots more to come.
• Pick your four most influential players - This has been shared lots on social media with fans selecting theirs and asking others to follow suit. Mine are Kevin Keelan, Duncan Forbes, Grant Holt and Iwan Roberts. Over to you....
• Share in what others are doing - The club posted a video of a stream from the Soul Church in the city, which is led by Canaries’ chaplain Jon Norman. Feeling part of a community like that can be very reassuring.
• Pick a City team (with seven subs and a manager) from different countries - This is another fun challenge which has been doing the rounds! Here’s mine and try your own. Tim Krul (Netherlands), Jamal Lewis (Northern Ireland), John Ryan (England), Seb Bassong (Cameroon), Malky Mackay (Scotland), Andy Townsend (Rep of Ireland), Dave Phillips (Wales), Alex Tettey (Norway), Emi Buendia (Argentina), Teemu Pukki (Finland), Ruel Fox (Montserrat - yes, he played twice for them in 2004). SUBS: Sandy Kennon (South Africa), Daniel Ayala (Spain), Timm Klose (Switzerland), Ritchie De Laet (Belgium), Henrik Mortensen (Denmark), Jim Brennan (Canada), David Carney (Australia), MANAGER: Daniel Farke (Germany).
• Cheer on Dereham’s finest in the QuaranTeam - Our very own Todd is the Canaries’ representative in the FIFA tournament. Give him a cheer and follow his progress.
• Encourage the players - With no training at Colney, the lads are going to be working on their own which is going to be tough as so much about being a footballer is about the banter and interaction. Send them a tweet of support and say we’ll be back soon.
OTBC
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