THE proprosal to scrap draws and introduce penalty shoot-outs was surely a Comic Relief wind-up.

THE proprosal to scrap draws and introduce penalty shoot-outs was surely a Comic Relief wind-up.

I'm sure that most changes to the game's rules are met with some scepticism, but surely none more than this one.

We've never had problems with games being drawn before, have we? I reckon some of the best matches I've seen have ended up 'honours even'.

We don't have to go back far to the home Premiership fixture with Middlesbrough a couple of years ago for starters.

Maybe some of our new American friends, who have only just recently introduced themselves to the world of 'soccer', have waved a fistful of dollars in front of the FA committee and asked for something more to go with their half time hot dogs? Anyway, whoever it was that came up with the idea, I reckon it stinks.

Today marked the first of the club's “Long Distance Supporters Clubs” weekends (a bit of a mouthful I know). It's quite extraordinary to think just how many of our fans travel long distances to City home games and so I sincerely hope today's events have helped to raise the profile of these exiled supporter groups.

There can't be too many Championship clubs that can boast so many large and active supporters clubs and it's great that Norwich City recognise the value of ours.

I'm pleased to report that Capital Canaries grow from strength to strength. I won't pretend it's been easy these past couple of years; the hangover from the Championship winning season, followed by a year in the Premiership, was a pretty bad one and numbers understandably dropped off.

But I'm pleased to say that the 'Caps' are made of stronger stuff and our current membership of around 300 is, I think you'll agree, pretty healthy.

Our recent belated Christmas Meal attracted 40 of our members, most of whom had travelled up from the 'smoke', and it proved to be another very successful evening. Prior to that, a social gathering at a pub in Shaftesbury Avenue to watch the recent England versus Spain was organised and our well attended yearly AGM is only a couple of months away.

Our members are not only based in and around London; we have a good number from either overseas or based in Norwich itself. For just £10 a year, which includes regular magazines and invites to social events throughout the calendar, you may wish to think about joining yourself. Never hesitate in contacting us if you're interested.