A PIECE of Canary history was made today, when the Main Stand clock was lifted back to sit in pride of place at Carrow Road after an absence of 27 years.

The clock was a familiar feature at Carrow Road up until 1982 when it was removed for maintenance, and then the devastating fire of October 25, 1984, which destroyed the Main Stand meant it no longer had a home. The clock was salvaged by former groundsman Russell Allison and has been in the care of his family up until last year.

But now thanks to the personal generosity of two local businessmen and expertise of several companies, the clock has been restored and has been lifted over the roof of the current Geoffrey Watling City Stand, sponsored by Aviva, to be ready for the forthcoming season.

READY TO LIFT: Crane prepares to lift clock over roof of
City Stand

This is one of many projects the Historical Trust, a registered charity, is undertaking to maintain and preserve all aspects of Norwich City's history for future generations of supporters - And Trust member and Club Secretary Kevan Platt confirmed the return of the clock was a culmination of years of work.

"The Norwich City Football Club Historical Trust is extremely pleased to be able to have played a part in reinstating the old Main Stand clock back in its rightful place, above the players' tunnel here at Carrow Road," he said.

PRIDE OF PLACE: Clock placed on top of the Geoffrey
Watling City Stand, sponsored by Aviva

"We have, over the period since the fire in 1984 had many requests for its reinstatement or replacement and today's events are the culmination of a long process and we hope that all of our supporters will enjoy the clock and its part in Carrow Road's history.

"The Trust is extremely grateful to the Allison family who have looked after the clock, and also to David Kirby and Steven Clarke of Countrywide Legal Indemnities who have sponsored the restoration and re-instatement of the clock. Today's events could not have happened without them.

"There have also been massive contributions from several local firms, each deserving of a mention, including S. Michlmayr & Co Ltd who restored the clock, CLA Architecture who created all the plans and drawings of the new rooftop structure and to DGT Structures Ltd who have created the structure and who are installing the clock on the Geoffrey Watling City Stand today."

An official unveiling of the clock will be organised in due course.

LIFT COMPLETED:  Clock rests in its final position