During the lockdown, I feel I am one of the lucky ones in that I am key-worker and still able get out to work.
But with last weekend being Easter, I spent three or four days over the weekend indoors. Apart from trying to entertain my two-year-old girl, my mind occasionally drifted off to past games, moments or goals.
We are all missing so much at the moment, from the pre-match pint, catch-up with family and friends to 90 minutes of forgetting all your own problems and all wanting the same thing – a Norwich City win with plenty of goals.
I was thinking of goals from the past, that I thought I could share this week.
I’ve got the football app Futbology, where you can record all the games you’ve been to; I’d recommend it to any fan.
I’m quite lucky – I can tell you which Norwich games I’ve been to, although I might not remember everything that happened. I have seen 1,191 Norwich games, which includes 3,172 goals. Luckily I’ve seen more goals for than against – 1,737 to 1,435.
With all those goals, there are plenty to talk about, so I’ve done a list, from my best through to my favourite, for the emotion. For and against. I know someone will remind me of a certain goal but for now I will go with these beauties.
Best goal
Robert Rosario’s goal in our game against Southampton on September 9, 1989, I was lucky enough to stand near the back of the Barclay. I can still remember the moment it left his foot and it felt like it was a slow motion moment. Being so young I kept saying how fantastic the goal was. After I saw it on TV I knew how lucky I was to say “I was there”.
Favourite goal
Simeon Jackson’s goal in our game against Derby County on April 25, 2011. I think everyone knows what the goal was like and how important it was. I was lucky enough to be in the Snakepit when Simeon and the rest of the players piled over in front of us. It was a total out-of-body experience. The celebrations continued after the final whistle. My wife, who came to find me after the game, saw me still jumping up and down. She said she had never seen me so happy. The hairs on the back of my neck still stand up when I see the goal or hear the commentary.
Best goal against
Fernando Forestieri’s goal in our game against Sheffield Wednesday on April 19, 2019. It’ll be year ago tomorrow since the game. It’ll be remembered by Norwich fans for a Mario Vrancic late goal. Unless you’re a Wednesday fan I think his goal will get easily forgotten, but not by me. I don’t know how far out he was, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was 40 yards or more. It was a ‘wow’ moment followed by due respect by Norwich fans with many, including myself, applauding.
Most painful goal
Pat Nevin’s goal in our game against Everton on April 15, 1989. I know there was a lot of personal heartbreak for people in the game, with the Hillsborough Disaster happening the very same day. But for this 13-year-old Canary experiencing his first FA Cup semi-final he really broke my heart that day. At the time I don’t think I totally appreciated the severity of the disaster until later, on the journey home. But that journey home is probably the most painful ever experienced with everything that had happened in the last few hours in my 38 years of following Norwich.
I know there are so many other contenders for all four categories. Other best goals I could’ve added were Johnny Howson against Nottingham Forest or quality ones that never get mentioned like Jerry Goss against Crystal Palace in January, 1993, when he ran the whole length of the pitch following a Palace corner with a fantastic counter-attack goal.
Another contender for goal against was Jack Wilshire for Arsenal in 2013. At the time I didn’t realise how good the goal was. For breaking my heart it would be Carlton Palmer, when he scored for Leeds and relegated us with a last-minute goal in 1995.
With this lockdown continuing for the foreseeable future I may drift off again, glance outside and think back to many other goals, good or bad.
Stay safe and OTBC.
What are your best, favourite, best against and most painful goals then? Leave a comment or let us know at norfolksport@archant.co.uk
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