The FONCY Webmaster is taking a few days (well deserved??) rest over a long weekend and updates to the website will be on hold for a few days. Normal service will be resumed from Wednesday 5th March, when the Southampton match report will also be posted. My apologies for any convenience and see you next week!
26.02.03 - JARVIS ON TARGET FOR RESERVES
Ryan Jarvis scored his first goal for Norwich Reserves in this afternoon's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth. Jarvis equalised in the 67th miunte, with a left-footed volley from the edge of the area, to beat Japanese International keeper Kawaguchi in the Portsmouth goal.
26.02.03 - DEAN SINCLAIR MAKES FIRST TEAM DEBUT
Dean Sinclair became the second academy player to break into the first team this season, when he stepped into the side against Gillingham last night after Gary Holt was ruled out through injury. Despite the defeat Nigel Worthington was pleased with Dean's contribution. On the Canaries website Worthington is quoted "Sinclair had an excellent debut, hHe worked hard, put in some good tackles and can be pleased with his performance. It's satisfying to see another Academy player coming through."
22.02.03 - GREY DAY FOR CITY AS SKY BLUES STEAL THE POINTS
NORWICH CITY U 19's 0 COVENTRY CITY UNDER 19's 2
A disappointing second-half performance from City's under 19's saw visitors Coventry City score two goals and take all three points at Colney today. A win for the Canaries could have seen them move into second place behind Arsenal in the league, but instead they will be reflecting on what might have been.
Adrian Boothroyd's side had the best of the opening 25 minutes and were unlucky not to open the scoring through full-back Olly Willis, who saw his shot come back off the post.
Richard Brush in the visitors' goal did well to save a shot from Adam Smith after the City midfielder was set up by Ryan Jarvis.
Danny Crow should have done better on a couple of occasions, but he failed to trouble Brush who made comfortable saves. Meanwhile, at the other end, it was City's turn to thank the woodwork as Issac Osbourne saw his effort come back off the crossbar.
Coventry took the lead on the hour when Roy O'Donovan fired a shot under Aaron Osborne, and although the Canaries' keeper got a hand to the ball, he could not prevent it from crossing the line.
Coventry gave City little opportunity to get back into the game, and it came as no surprise when they extended their lead on 78 minutes, Andrew Whing firing into an empty net after pouncing onto loose ball.
They might have made it three in the final minutes, but Osborne produced a good save to deny Eddie Stanford.
City line up: A.Osborne, Batt, Willis, Crane, Chick [Howlett 79], Smith, Howell, Blackburn, Jarvis, Crow, Eagle [Clarke 45]. Subs not used: Gil, Herbert, J.Osborne.
Top Canary: Greg Crane.
For Pictures of the game see the Match Report Section.
21.02.03 - ACADEMY PLAYERS ATTEND FIELD STUDY CENTRE
During half-term week, 5 of City's Academy sides have been attending Aylmerton Field Study Centre.
Based on the North Norfolk coast, the under 9's - under 13's have spent up to three days at the camp, along with Academy Assistant Director Ricky Martin and other members of the coaching staff.
During their time at Aylmerton, as well as football training, the lads enjoyed other activites, such as swimming and team building classes.
In total over 60 lads attended Aylmerton, which was only made possible by sponsorship from FONCY of £3,500.
21.02.03 - DEAN SINCLAIR AND JASON SHACKELL INCLUDED IN FIRST TEAM SQUAD FOR SHEFFIELD GAME
Following on from his excellent performance and match winning goal for the Reserves at Cambridge United in midweek, midfielder Dean Sinclair has travelled with the first team to Bramall Lane for Saturday's top of the table clash. With the injury worry surrounding Phillip Mulryne, Sinclair could be in line for a place on the substitutes' bench.
Meanwhile defender Jason Shackell, who turned in yet another solid performance in defence at The Abbey Stadium, is also in the squad. Although he may not figure at Sheffield, there is every possibility that with Malky Mackay suspended for next months local derby, he could find himself involved against Ipswich Town.
20.02.03 - JARVIS STARTS FOR ENGLAND IN GREECE
Ryan Jarvis was in the starting line-up for England U-17s yesterday in a friendly match against Greece. A late strike from Derby winger Lee Holmes gave coach John Peacock's side the edge in a 1-0 win in the northern Greek town of Drama.
The match served as preparation for the Qualifying Round of the UEFA U-17 Championships. England will face the challenge of Slovakia, Czech Republic and Scotland in a Mini-Tournament in the north west of England from 12th - 16th of March, with the winner of the group qualifying for May's UEFA Finals in Portugal.
(Information from the Football Association Website: www.thefa.com)
20.02.03 - LINKS PAGE ADDED TO FONCY.CO.UK
Today we have added a links page to the website. Reference the new button in the menu column. We are keen to add to these, and will do so with time. If you are interested in having your site added here please contact the webmaster at
webmaster@foncy.co.uk.
16.02.03 - CHICK ON TARGET AS CANARIES TAME THE LIONS
A second-half goal from defender David Chick was enough to give Adrian Boothroyd's side all three points at Millwall on Saturday.
City were without the services of Ryan Jarvis, who is away on international duty, while Boothroyd decided to rest captain Greg Crane, allowing trialist David Tyrie to start alongside Chick in the heart of defence.
Just as City had done a week earlier, so Millwall had gone out of the F.A.Youth Cup in midweek, the young Lions going out by the only goal of the game against Manchester City.
The Canaries started the game the brighter of the two teams, with Damian Batt causing the home side plenty of problems down the flanks. It was from one of his runs that City got there first sight on goal, with Dean Sinclair only inches from converting the cross.
Schoolboy Rafael Gil, in for the absent Jarvis, brought a good save from the Millwall keeper. Fellow schoolboy Robert Eagle squandered a good chance from close range after some good build up play involving Nicky Howell and Lee Blackburn.
After the break it needed a couple of good saves from Aaron Osborne to keep City on level terms, but with 60 minutes on the clock City took the lead.
Blackburn and Olly Willis had worked well in forcing a corner, and when Blackburn sent the cross in there was Chick at the far post to rise above the defence to head the ball home.
Although Millwall went in search of the equaliser it was the Canaries who finished the game in the driving seat, with Danny Crow seeing a shot blocked and Gil again going close.
City line up: A.Osborne, Batt, Willis, Tyrie, Chick, Howell [Howlett 55], Blackburn, Sinclair, Eagle [Smith 70], Gil [J.Osborne 85], Crow. Subs not used: Herbert, Halliday.
15.02.03 - JARVIS GETS ENGLAND CALL UP
City's Academy side will be without the services of Ryan Jarvis for today's visit to Millwall. The Canaries front-man has been selected for the England Under-17 Squad that take on Greece in Athens on Wednesday.
Jarvis is however not the only Academy player to be called into the England set up this week. Following hard on the heels of Adam Mills, who was involved with the Under-15 side last weekend, comes the news that two of his team mates, striker Seb Muddell and defender Andrew Howell, are set for three days with the England Under-14 Development Squad at Lilleshall next week.
Adam Mills was delighted with his experience at Lilleshall, working with England coaches Paul Bracewell and Dick Bates. Adam was involved in the practice games and, just as he has been doing at Colney this season, he managed to net a couple of goals.
10.02.03 - ACADEMY STRIKER GETS ENGLAND CALL
With Ryan Jarvis already having established himself in the England set up, it seems there could be another future international in the making with striker Adam Mills currently at Lilleshall with the England Under-15 Development Squad.
Adam, who hails from Gorleston and attends Lynn Grove High School, has been firing the goals in for The Academy's Under-14's. This included a hat- trick against Fulham just before Christmas, and it is clear that his efforts have not gone unnoticed by the England scouting set up, who invited him to Lilleshall for 3 days.
10.02.03 - SAD NEWS FOR ACADEMY TRAINEES
There was news from Colney last week that five of City's Under-19's have failed to secure a professional contract with the football club when their scholarship finishes at the end of the season.
The five in question are goalkeeper Arran Lee - Barrett, defenders Danny Self and Paul Dodsworth, midfielder Richard Woodrow and striker Ben Thompson.
Of the five, Danny Self has had trials in the past two weeks with both Oxford United and Rob Newman's Southend United. Ben Thompson has been playing of late for Jewson Premier League title contenders Wroxham, coming on as a substitute on Saturday and scoring the last of their nine goals over Ipswich Wanderers at Trafford Park.
During his three years as a trainee, Paul Dodsworth was unfortunately plagued with a series of injuries, and he was always playing catch up with the other members of the squad.
It is understood that Richard Woodrow is intending to go to university, while at the time of writing there is no news on what plans Arran Lee - Barrett has.
All five players have provided the Colney regulars with some memorable moments over the past three seasons, and everyone at FONCY would like to wish them all the very best in the future.
09.02.03 - ENGLAND COACH SUPPORTING FONCY
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson was in Norwich last week and paid a visit to the Norwich City Training Ground at Colney. While he was there Sven took time out to sign a Norwich City shirt. The shirt has now been presented to FONCY and is all set to be auctioned at a later date, with all proceeds of course going to the Academy.
If you would like to make a bid on the shirt, then keep a check on www.foncy.co.uk for further details.
Pictured with the shirt is Top Canary from Saturdays win over Bristol City, Aaron Osborne.
08.02.03 - DOUBLE STRIKE FROM JOSH CLARKE HELPS SINK BRISTOL CITY
A second-half double strike from schoolboy Josh Clarke gave Academy coach Adrian Boothroyd the perfect birthday present as City's Under-19 side bounced back from their disappointing F.A.Youth Cup exit midweek, with a 4-1 victory over Bristol City at Colney today.
The Canaries had to come from a goal behind when the visitors took the lead after 20 minutes through Darren Hawkins. It was captain Greg Crane who pulled them back on level terms when he rifled in a 20 yard free kick.
Clarke scored the first of his two goals just 60 seconds into the second half after good work by Nicky Howell allowed Damian Batt to cross to the far post where Clarke met the ball with a spectacular diving header.
Bristol, to their credit, took the game to the Canaries and it needed a string of outstanding saves from Aaron Osborne to keep City in front.
They extended their lead on 65 minutes after good build up play involving Lee Blackburn and Danny Crow, with the move again being finished by the head of Clarke.
Clarke then turned provider for the final goal of the game some 13 minutes before full time. The Gorleston youngster made a powerful run down the left flank, creating the opening for Crow to slot the ball home.
City line up: Osborne, Batt, Chick [Halliday 83], Crane, North [Willis 45], Smith [Howlett 60], Howell, Blackburn, Jarvis, Crow, Clarke. Subs not used: Herbert, Eagle.
Top Canary: Aaron Osborne.
For Pictures of the game see the Match Report Section.
06.02.03 - GUSTERSON AND JARVIS BREAKING ALL THE RECORDS
Two of City's rising Academy stars have, it appears, broken the record for the youngest players ever to play for City's Reserve team. Adam Gusterson and Rossi Jarvis are usually starring for Dougie Evan's Under 15's at Colney on Sunday mornings, but last night as Keith Webb's second string ran out 2-0 winners over Brentford Reserves at Carrow Road the pair, who play in central defence, both came on for the final 30 minutes.
Some four years ago an Under 16 Lewis Blois turned out for the Reserves, and at the time it was believed that this was a record. If so, then Rossi and Adam have clearly re-written the record books.
06.02.03 - YOUNG CANARIES DEALT HAMMER BLOW
A goal from Ryan Jarvis 15 minutes before full time was not enough to prevent City's Academy side going out of the F.A.Youth Cup by the odd goal in three against West Ham at Upton Park last night.
Adrian Boothroyd's side found themselves two goals adrift at the interval, the first coming completely against the run of play was a disputed penalty. Moments later City had a penalty appeal of their own turned down when Jarvis appeared to be caught late by Anton Ferdinand.
West Ham extended their lead shortly before the break leaving the Canaries with a mountain to climb in the second half. They rode their luck after the interval, with the woodwork coming to their rescue, before Jarvis struck with the goal of the game. The City striker worked himself into a position just on the edge of the box, before sweeping a superb dipping shot beyond Hammers keeper George Sealey.
Despite this disappointing result Adrian Boothroyd was full of praise for his young side. "I have told them in the dressing room what a great bunch of players they are to work with, and how they can learn from tonight's game and move on."
There will be little time to contemplate last nights defeat, with Academy action at Colney on Saturday with the visit of Bristol City.
City Line up: A.Osborne, Batt [Blackburn77], Willis, Crane, Chick, Sinclair, Henderson, Smith, Jarvis, Crow, Howell [Clarke 51] Subs not used: Herbert, J.Osborne, Eagle
01.02.03 - FORBES AND EADIE HELP RAISE £3,000 FOR FONCY
Two of Norwich City Hall of Fame members, Duncan Forbes and Darren Eadie, were on hand at last night's dinner at Carrow Road to help FONCY raise over £3,000.
During the evening Duncan, assisted by Colin Tovell, conducted a memorabilia auction, while at the end of the night Darren helped out with the raffle draw.
FONCY have now staged auctions and raffles at all of the events to celebrate the club's centenary. The next big auction will be at the club's End of Season Open Day when fans will get the opportunity to bid for shirts from the kit room at Colney as well as various items of memorabilia.
