30.05.04 - RICKY MARTIN INTERVIEW

With the 2003/04 Academy season now finished, foncy.co.uk was very grateful to newly appointed Academy Manager Ricky Martin for taking time out during the recent tournament in Berlin to answer a few questions on the season just gone and the outlook for the future. Ricky spoke about the highlights of 2003/04, the reorganisation of the Academy leagues to Under-18 in 2004/05 and much more. To read what Ricky had to say click here or on the picture right.

30.05.04 - MORE BERLIN PHOTOS As promised we are pleased to present a further picture gallery from the Under-12's tournament in Berlin. We hope you find the photos of interest. To see the gallery click here or on the picture left.

23.05.04 - CITY FINISH FOURTH IN YOUNG TALENTS CUP IN BERLIN

Norwich City finished in fourth place in the Young Talents Cup in Berlin at the weekend as the Under-12's travelled to this international tournament. The trip was funded by FONCY with money raised during the Fans Match between Capital Canaries and Northern Canaries this year. After winning their group without conceding a goal, the Canaries were unlucky to lose their semi-final against Borussia Moenchengladbach by the only goal. Nevetherless the whole trip was a great experience for these Academy youngsters. For more information and pictures from the tournament click here or on the picture right.

Later this week we hope to bring you interviews with the Under-12 coach Ian Thornton and Academy Manager Ricky Martin, together with further photos from Berlin.

17.05.04 - UNDER 12'S ARE ACADEMY TEAM OF THE SEASON

The curtain came down on another Academy season at Colney on Sunday, the day also seeing the Under-12's picking up the Des Holl Memorial Award as the Academy Team Of The Season. The award is made in memory of Des who was a true friend of Norwich City Youth, and the Under-12's are the second side to pick up the award after the Under-10's took the honours last season. After picking up the award Ian Thornton's side, some of whom are due to fly out to Berlin later this week for the Young Talents Cup competition, put on a superb display against Fulham, winning the game 6-4.

For more action from Sunday and pictures of the presenatations click here or on the picture above.

16.05.04 - YOUNG TALENTS CUP UPDATE

As already reported here an Under-13 team from the Norwich Academy travel to Berlin on Wednesday to take part in this year's Young Talents Cup. FONCY will be covering the costs of the trip with money raised in the Fans Match between Capital Canaries and Northern Canaries. Following changes in the tournament line-up City will now face Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach in their group together with hosts Hertha Zehlendorf and Berlin side Tasmania Gropiusstadt.

The top two teams from three groups together with the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quater-finals on Friday afternoon before the tournament completes on saturday. Look out for a report from the tournament on this website next week.

16.05.04 - FOURTH PLACE FOR ENGLAND AND LEWIS England Under-17s finished in fourth place in the UEFA Finals in France yesterday. Having lost Wednesday's Semi-final against Spain 2-1 after a last minute penalty, Saturday saw England face Portugal in the match for 3rd place. Joe Lewis returned in goal for England and was involved in a remarkable but ultimately disappointing 4-4 draw against the Portuguese. In the resulting penalty shoot-out Joe managed to save a spot-kick but in the end it was not to be and England lost 3-2 on penalties.

15.05.04 - ACADEMY PRODUCES MEDAL WINNERS

Three recent academy players were among the Norwich City squad who received their Football League Championship Winners medals at City Hall last monday night. Pictured here at the reception are Ian Henderson, Jason Shackell and Ryan Jarvis who all won their professional contracts only in the last couple ofr years and who all played their part in a memorable promotion winning season for the Canaries. FONCY who like to add their congratulations to the whole squad, and of course particularly these youngsters, on a great achievement.

Ian Henderson, Jason Shackell, Ryan Jarvis

10.05.04 - JOE KEEPS CLEAN SHEET

Joe Lewis in England kit

Joe Lewis made an appearance but had little to do in England Under17's third and final group game at UEFA Finals in France yesterday evening. A 1-0 win against Austria maintained England's 100% record and saw England through to a Semi-final against Spain on Wednesday evening. In front of Eurosport's live TV cameras Joe did everything that was asked of him as England controlled matters against the Austrians. It is likely that Sunderland's Ben Alnwick will return in goal against Spain on Wednesday in a game that will again be screened on Eurosport (6.30 pm british time on Wednesday).

09.05.04 - END OF SEASON COMPETITION This year FONCY have again raided the souvenir cupboard to come up with some prizes for our annual website competition. Again we are asking you for information on a team group from "yesteryear". If you want to take your mind off celebrating promotion for a few minutes and test your Academy knowledge why not enter. You will find all the details by clicking here or on the picture right.

08.05.04 - LEE BLACKBURN IS FONCY PLAYER OF THE SEASON Last saturday saw Lee Blackburn presented with the FONCY Player of the Season Trophy at Carrow Road. The midfield player picked up the trophy in the party atmosphere at half-time of the Preston home game. At the same time striker Danny Crow received the Club's own Academy Player of the Year award. For a report and photos from the event click here or on the picture left.

07.05.04 - WILLIAMS JOINS ACADEMY As widely reported today, Norwich City have appointed Dave Williams and Ricky Martin as their new Academy management duo, now reporting directly into Nigel Worthington. Williams takes on the role of Under-18 coach and technical director overseeing the coaching of all other age groups, while Martin takes on an Academy Manager role with responsibility for administration, pastoral care and education.

David Williams

Ricky is of course well known to FONCY and Colney regulars and we congratulate him on his new position. Equally we look forward to supporting David Williams in his new role and welcome him back to Norwich. As well as having a successful career with Norwich as both player and coach, David has built himself a good coaching reputation having worked at Bournemouth, Everton, Leeds and Manchester United since leaving the Canaries. He was even a caretaker manager for Wales for one match v Yugoslavia in 1988. Good luck Dave!

06.05.04 - LEWIS WATCHES AS ENGLAND REACH SEMIS Joe Lewis was again on the England Under-17 bench today as the youngsters ensured themselves a semi-final place in this year's UEFA Finals with a 3-1 win over holders Portugal. Aston Villa's Shane Paul was again the hero with two goals. Sunday's final group game against Austria will now only decide whether England take first or second place in the group. England will be looking for a win to avoid a likely game with hosts France in the Semis. Norwich's Joe Lewis will certainly be looking for a start in sunday's game which will be televised live on Eurosport (7pm UK time).

04.05.04 - ENGLAND UPDATE

England Under-19's failed this weekend to qualify for the UEFA Finals this year in their 2nd Qualifying round in Slovenia. A 1-1 draw with the Ukraine in their final game on Sunday was not enough and saw the former Russian state go through. This followed a great 3-0 win against Denmark on friday which saw the rare event of two Norwich scorers on an England results sheet with both Ryan Jarvis and Ian Henderson on target. The damage had already been done however in a 2-1 defeat to Slovenia in the opening game a week ago. Nigel Worthington may not be too disappointed at the lack of progress in the competition with the finals in the middle of next season's pre-season preparations in July. This afternoon England Under-17's faired better in their opening group game in the UEFA finals, again against the Ukraine, in France. Joe Lewis had to be content with a place on the bench however as England ran out 2-0 winners. Their next game is against defending champions Portugal on Thursday.

04.05.04 - NCFC DECIDE NOT TO RENEW SAMMY MORGAN'S CONTRACT

Many people including everyone at FONCY were shocked and saddened when it was announced that Norwich City Football Club would not be renewing Sammy Morgan's contract, and that as from Friday 30th April he was no longer Norwich City's Academy Manager. No one was more taken back by the clubs decision that FONCY Chairman John Landamore. "Over the past 6 or 7 years we have worked very closely with Sammy. I have seen at first hand the tremendous work that he has put in to make The Academy the place it is today, it will be a very different place with his face not being there to greet you when you arrive at the Colney Training Centre", said John.

Sammy Morgan At Colney

"There is no doubt in my mind that Sammy played a major part in the emergence of Ryan Jarvis, Ian Henderson, Jason Shackell and Joe Lewis and his influence will be felt over the next year or two when further players emerge from The Academy", he added. FONCY understand that a new appointment will be made sooner rather and later, and of course we will bring you all the news on any developments, in the meantime FONCY remains committed to their fund raising activities to further youth development at Norwich City Football Club.

04.05.04 - 2004 FONCY SPRING RAFFLE WINNERS Sunday saw Nigel Worthington draw the winners in the 2004 FONCY Spring Raffle. Over £11,000 was raised for the Academy, another grand effort from all our supporters, who we again thank so much. We you a lucky winner? For the full list of wimnners click here or on the picture left.

04.05.04 - YOUNGSTERS LOSE OUT AT IPSWICH An Under-17 side including three trialists lost 3-1 to Ipswich Town in a friendly on Saturday. Indeed it was trialist Daniel Ludlow who scored City's only goal with a free-kick after Ipswich had gone into a 3-0 lead. For the full match report click here or on the picture right.