'Twas the game before Christmas. . .

David Maidstone

'Twas the game before Christmas, when all through the ground

Not a Canary was stirring, not even a sound;

The banners were hung from the railings with care,

In hope that a victory soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their seat,

While visions of Hoolahan danced in their feet;

And Delia in her 'kerchief, and I in my scarf,

Had just settled our selves for another swift half,

When out on the pitch there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bar to see what was the matter.

Away to the aisle I nearly fell down,

Pushed past some fat steward and nudged Razz the old clown.

The floodlights on the breast of the new City Lemur

Made poor Captain Canary look shoddy and paler,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a team of new heroes to a full rousing cheer,

With a little slave driver, that giant of men,

I knew in a moment it must be our Glenn.

More rapid than eagles his heroes they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Leroy! now, Hoolie! now, Marshall and Ozzy!

On, Rusty! on, Sammy! on, Bertie and Fozzy!

To the top of the pitch! to the far side as well!

Now back away! back away! back away all!"

The game it was frantic and time started to fly,

Again the ball too often did head for the sky;

When we got to half time the game it still drew,

City, a few tricky chances and Charlton had one too.

And then, in a twinkling, as we set off in need

The prancing and grinding gave us a nice second half lead

Leroy was smoking, and was turning around,

Down the wing came Lee Croft with a light-footed bound.

He got over a sweet ball, from the inside of his foot,

And Leroy he just met it full on with his boot;

The Barclay exploded, the Snake Pit did too,

and even old Ethel in River End Q.

Oh On The Ball City it rang through the ground!

Had Christmas come early now goals we have found!

A second it followed for Rusty so sweet

Then a free kick from Bell, escaped the goalie's flat feet;

So is this the start of a resurgent Norwich,

Or will such delights fall flat like Ramsay's porridge;

We've been here before all expectant with hope,

When Christmas it comes and we no longer cope

So onwards to January when the window shall open,

And we'll see what wonders that Glenn Roeder can rope in;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

He may have no money, but he'll charm them instead;

If he gets in a few stars, a defender or more,

And fills all the squad numbers; with our own players for sure,

And maybe just maybe more respect for the fans,

And giving us all more hint of his plans ;

And as for the boardroom, could they take on more people,

Someone from big business, and maybe one with a steeple,

From all us at NCISA yes the future is bright ,

may we wish you "Happy Christmas, and to all a good-night."