Chance Meeting in Plymouth Brings Back Memories Whilst on yet another "pointless" (in more ways than one) trip to see the first team at Plymouth, FONCY committee member Richard Bland bumped into an old friend in the shape of former NCFC youth supremo and later NCFC chief executive Gordon Bennett.

It is widely known that the idea to form FONCY was that of our chairman John Landamore. John readily admits however that without the encouragement and vision of Gordon, FONCY would not be what it is today, if at all. Richard expands on his chance meeting: "I was wandering around Plymouth's Home Park ground before the match where I spotted a PAFC minibus attempting what be best described as a 20 point turn in their car park and my memory went back to February 1997 when, along with a few others, I had travelled to Everton to see our youth team in a Youth Cup replay at Goodison Park. We travelled under the stewardship of the then NCFC chief Executive Gordon Bennett who had offered to hire and drive a minibus to the match. What myself and fellow travellers did not know wasthat Gordon’s driving reputation went before him and NCFC printed some travel tickets especially for the trip (see illustration below)." "So seeing the minibus at Plymouth and knowing Gordon was in their employment I approached the vehicle and there was Gordon - smiling as always." "Gordon told me that he kept an eye on all things youth at Norwich via this very site as well as a watchful eye on not only ex-city youth players who had gone onto to play at international level but those carving out a living as a professional."

Gordon Bennett at Home Park

A rare ticket for the coach trip to Everton

"It was good to hear that his enthusiasm for driving seemingly endless miles to test his current crop of youngsters has not waned with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal & Tottenham just some of the places PAFC Youth had visited, oh and he mentioned Bristol Rovers!" "Sadly the playing fields of Colney are just too far, as Gordon said "why go that extra two hours to Norwich when you can stop off at Arsenal" - maybe we will draw them in the forthcoming Youth Cup?" "It was really good to see Gordon - a true Friend of Norwich City Youth."

For the record City youth beat Everton with goals from Adrian Coote & Joe Green, only to go out to Blackburn at Ewood Park in the next round - and Gordon’s driving was without incident.