WE'VE gathered some City fans' thoughts about the Club's wonderful FA Cup run of 1958-59. We've reproduced a selection here - all winners have been notified in writing, each winning a pair of tickets to a special forum with players from the 1958-59 run PLUS a pair of tickets to City's Championship clash with Barnsley at Carrow Road on January 17.
When the cup run commenced, against Ilford, I was only six. However I can remember sitting at home, disappointed, when the half-time score - losing 1-0 - was shown on BBC Grandstand, but being overjoyed when the teleprinter showed the final score - 3-1.
My most vivid memory is queuing for hours, with my mother, on several occasions, for tickets so my father could attend. My reward - a Dinky toy.
Since then I have become an avid collector of 1958-59 memorabilia, having all the programmes, most ticket stubs, photographs, all the Pink Un's and most relevant EEN and EDP editions.
Even spending many hundreds of pounds purchasing one of the cups given by the Directors to players and staff - mine is the trainer Harry Topping's - to commemorate the run.
My car number even pays homage. I wanted 590 TBC (On The Ball City) but could only get S90 TBC!
Martin Eagle of Norwich
On the afternoon of the match against Man Utd, I was a 17-year-old working in the commercial stationery department of Jarrold Store in Norwich. That was on the ground floor, roughly where the menswear is now. Before they took over the Corn Hall next door.
We were tuned into a radiogram about where the handbags are now. The game was on the radio and a large crowd developed. One of the management turned the radio off. Looking back it was an early health and safety issue.
My girlfriend, now my wife, went to the game with her brother. She was dressed in a red coat with a white scarf. You can tell who she was supporting. She got snowballed by the Norwich City crowd.
We still have tickets but do not always attend.
Nigel Wright of Old Catton
I was unable to go to any of the cup run games as I was away at college in the North East but I followed their progress closely and on a return journey back to college, on the day they were knocked out, I asked the man I sat next to 'How did they get on?' 'They lost', he replied. The 58/59 cup run was a national football phenomenem.
I didn't have to name City - everyone followed it. My only participation was at half-term when I queued for a ticket for a friend and the queue went all the way back to Bracondale.
Tony Cardy of Kenninghall
Born in Poringland, in 1939, I was around 20-years-old and had been stationed at RAF West Raynham with John Wilson prior to the cup run. I was then on Christmas Island and I think that is just about as far as you could get away from Carrow Road. Because of the time difference we received the results on Saturday mornings and followed with great interest the amazing run. The H bomb tests were quiet compared to the noise we made when Terry Bly scored. Years later I had a business next to Terry's Sports Store and he said against United he only had a few touches of the ball, each time it ended in the net.
Thanks John and Terry and the rest of the team for such fantastic memories.
Now living in Australia I still follow the Canaries, with sadness of late to see their league position, but hopefully that will change.
Paul King from Sydney, Australia
My adventure started when l was thirteen-years-old. Carl Horlicks my friend from school and l went with his parents in their Bedford van to watch Norwich v Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The result was 1-1. Having got up late the next day l was unable to get a ticket for the replay. On the Wednesday l went to Carrow Road hoping to buy a ticket from a 'ticket tout'. I was unable to get a ticket because l was frightened to ask anyone, Der! The next thing the match had kicked off and hundreds were milling around the ground. Then at the River End an opening appeared in the fence, people began to pour in hastily followed by me. Eventually some men lifted me through the crowd so that l could see. I must have watched an hour of the match and when Norwich won it was Fantastic. GREAT MEMORIES.
Graham Head from Manningtree, Essex
I was a boy of 7-years-old and I am speaking purely from memory so some details may be incorrect. I was there when we played Ilford in the first round and I think we were losing at half time 1-0. Swindon in round 2 and I think the replay was midweek because all the boys at school wanted to get home to find out the score.
Who was the genius who wrote the words 'Bly Bly Babes' in the 3rd round. It still makes my body shiver as I can remember the picture of the snow covered pitch on the front of the Pink-Un. I couldn't go to the game but my dad did as I had to go to the Jarrold Christmas party for children as my dad worked there. We couldn't believe the score until I saw the Pink-Un that night and those immortal headlines.
I also saw the Cardiff game 3-2, leeks and all and my uncle took me to the Spurs replay when Terry Bly chipped the keeper in the second half. I was in the enclosure in the Main Stand. What a terrific night. Buses were parked solid along Riverside Road from Thorpe Station to Carrow Road I am sure mine was the no 81.
I can't believe that as a 7-year-old like many other Norwich boys we were allowed out in the evenings on our own - something we wouldn't allow our children or grandchildren to do until they were at least 14. On games I couldn't go to I could tell the score from the crowd noise whilst playing with other boys in Barn Road/Dereham Road area.
The Luton game was too painful to remember except Nottingham Forest beat them in the final and the first game Norwich played the following season was a friendly against Nottingham Forest which we won 4-2. As a 7-year-old my mind was already made up, had we beaten Luton we would have won the cup. What memories.
Ray Goreham from Diss
I was nine-years-old when I attended my first Norwich City game, the fourth round tie against Cardiff City. Terry Bly clinched the 3-2 winner and the noise from the 38,000 crowd was overwhelming, I fainted and had to be lifted over the barrier behind the River End goal, to be revived by a Saint John's Ambulance lady. I also remember listening to the radio commentary of the replay against Sheffield United. Mum, dad and I took a radio upstairs so we could open the bedroom window to listen for the roar of the crowd at exciting points in the match. On the final whistle, mum threw her knitting in the air.
For the replay against Luton, our teacher allowed us to listen to the whole commentary in class. It was a sad defeat, but we were all so proud of our team.
John Grey of Romford
Having attended all of those great games, I have a host of incredible memories, which will live with me forever. Even now, fifty years on, I still get quite emotional, particularly when I recollect the last thirty minutes, of the match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. I stood, only a few feet away, from the spot, where Ken Nethercott dislocated his shoulder. Although in great pain, Ken wanted to continue, but Archie Macaulay was pleading with him to leave the field. Eventually, Ron Ashman and Barry Butler, told Archie, in no uncertain terms, 'he's staying on - we'll protect him'. To see Ken, perform so bravely and heroically, for the remainder of the match, with his left arm dangling by his side, was a truly remarkable sight. Furthermore, so inspired were Ken's colleagues, that they played the last half hour, like men possessed. Backed by absolutely fanatical support, they attacked relentlessly, and against all odds, obtained a replay, as a result of a sensational run by Bobby Brennan which enabled Errol Crossan to score an equalising goal. Simply fairytale stuff!!!
One of my most treasured items of Norwich City memorabilia is a programme of the game which Matt Crowe and Barry Butler autographed for me on Sheffield Railway Station after the match and which Matt and Barry's widow Thelma counter-signed on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary Dinner held at the Ambassador Hotel ten years ago.
B I Harold of Diss
Although I am only 12-years-old I am a big supporter of Norwich City Football Club. I am a season ticket holder and attend all home games and the occasional away game. My grandmother remembers the excitement from the radio and from the crowd in the background in 1958-59. Memories like this make me feel proud to be a supporter and how we will always have the ability to be a great football team.
Ever since I heard about the great FA Cup run I have put in a large effort to see every FA Cup fixture involving Norwich. I have heard of the squad that beat many teams in the 1958-59 FA Cup and have wanted to see them ever since. I watched the regional news last week and saw highlights of some games, this made me wish I could be there to witness these great moments.
Callum Fitzgerald of Great Ellingham, Attleborough
The 1958-59 FA Cup crusade for the Canaries was subliminal and cemented my connection with the Club to date. The real attraction began with the 3rd round victory over Manchester Utd and was played on I think the 10th of January 1959...5 days after my 9th birthday, so I am a genuine 59er ! Although I did not attend the match I have vivid memories of waiting to purchase a Pink-Un in the evening after the match in Wymondham Town Centre and the queue was endless, however, the wait was worth it particularly with the now folklore headline of 'Bly, Bly, Babes!' appearing on the front of the Pink-Un.
Further along and the replay against Luton Town was really significant for me, the game was played on a Wednesday afternoon and I was at my village School in Wreningham, South Norfolk...in my memory it seems as if the whole school was on tenterhooks waiting for the result from St Andrews, probably a slight exaggeration...a commentary was being received in the school and I was really devastated when the Bingham goal went in and we lost the replay. The walk home that late afternoon was sad and I remember my mum comforting me when I got home with a cup of bovril.
Barney Howes
The 59ers anniversary means such a lot to me. because even though I was not born at the time, it has been very very special hearing about the amazing cup run success that the 59ers achieved. All the stories about the cup run have been very informative, and I always find it special to know about what went on for the club I love in the past. I have loved hearing about it and it would be so special to meet the stars of the past. It would be a magnificent pleasure and an unforgettable experience.
Darrell Allen of Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich
I was only ten-years-old, but I had been supporting the Canaries since my dad first took me to Carrow Road when I was five. The only game I saw during the Cup run was the Sheffield United replay. My Dad, who went to every game, managed to get me a ticket as well for this game. The only problem was that he was in the Main Stand and I was in the Barclay! On the night, we went early and he took me to the Barclay Stand, put me just behind the goal and said, 'Stay there after the match and I'll come and get you'. Well, after beating Sheffield United the whole crowd erupted on to the pitch at the end of the game, including me! To this day, I have no idea how or where he found me.
Paul Plane of Wanstead, London
As the daughter of an avid Norwich City fan I am often told of 'the wonderful cup run of 1959'. My parents attended every match, both home and away, except the semi-final against Luton.
Unfortunately mum had to work that day at the telephone exchange in Norwich. She tells me how her and her pals listened in to the commentary and mum was naturally devastated at the result! She had obviously been the 'lucky mascot' and it's a pity she couldn't go that day, things may have been very different.
Mum speaks fondly of the fantastic team spirit shown and recalls the headline 'Bly Bly Babes' when Terry Bly helped Norwich defeat Manchester United.
Unfortunately dad has now passed away, but mum still takes herself down to Carrow Road for every home match ever optimistic that 'one' day the Canaries will repeat that memorable cup run of 1959.
Alison Clare of Thorpe End, Norwich
At the time, I was working in Luton and about the only Canaries matches I could see were their away matches to London teams. I was also supporting Luton at the time. I did manage to see the Manchester United game and the first leg against Tottenham. Then they draw Luton in the semi-final. I then had the nerve to queue up for a semi-final ticket at Luton wearing my Canaries scarf and beany. This caused a bit of good-natured banter, but no trouble as I knew lots of the Luton supporters. Then we drove down to the match overtaking Luton buses on the way. We were getting cheered by the Luton supporters as we came up behind the buses as we had Luton colours on the front. Then we got booed after we passed the buses as we had Canaries colours at the back. I never saw the equalizer as my girlfriend fainted at the wrong time and I was with the ambulance officers. I didn't get to see the replay as work issued a warning that anybody attending the replay would get sacked. I had been promised a cup final ticket if Norwich won, but unfortunately didn't need to take up the offer.
Peter Shepherd from Farrer, Australia
We were the yellow and green machine that started without much hope but with the belief and endeavour of a group of players that we have never seen their like before or after in Norwich City shirts. I remember well that crisp winter day and the astonishment of all present who witnessed the Canary marvels put United to the sword, watching from the River End the abiding memory of a Canary shot hitting the bar to dislodge snow on the beaten Harry Gregg. What a memory 3-0, BLY BLY BABES.
Next, I just managed to get a ticket for the Cardiff game and standing in the 'Snake Pit' marvelled at the skill of a Norwich team taking the opposition apart, in particular I remember a fantastic shot from Roy McCrohan from the edge of the box, great memories City home 3-2.
Up to Sheffield on packed trains, what a band of fans we were beddecked in yellow and green by train and bus we streamed. My most personal memory was almost beheading a United fan with a rattle when we scored, then watching the great Ken Nethercott bravely hold out United.The replay against United was Bobby Brennan's finest hour - what a player.
On to Spurs (could not get ticket), but I witnessed the great return match at Carrow Road against a star studded Spurs side, that saw Terry Bly hit the goal that rocked the ground and send City fans into ecstasy. Then it was just not possible to see the Luton game as I was at school but we were all allowed listen to the commentary on the school radio, SO SAD, Billy Bingham ended a dream.
What a team - Norwich City forever, that was what dreams are made of, a Third Division team that almost achieved the impossible and would have deserved to have done it with the best supporters in the land.
Mike Harvey
I was not a Norfolk boy but a 14-year-old Kentish lad attending a boarding school near Attleborough at the time of the great 58-59 Norwich City FA Cup Run. I was footie mad of course and captivated by the infectious excitement that spread throughout Norfolk and beyond. Newspaper articles and an autographed photo of the squad were avidly collected and I am proud to say that I still have them in my scrap book. A Norwich City fan ever since, but I have not had the opportunity to watch them regularly until recently. Happily I have been a season ticket holder for the last three years and now drive the 100 miles from Hertfordshire to watch most home games. I am delighted to own a commemorative shirt as it marks my 50 years as a supporter as well as celebrating a wonderful team's achievements.
Bob Jones of Hertford
A snow covered Carrow Road. I and other lads were pushed to the front of the Barclay , we had come to see Manchester Utd, but hoped that it would not be a rout. It was soon obvious City were the better side. Later Terry Bly and that famous headline.
Now Sheffield Utd, three coaches left my street, joined by hundreds more from the City. Throughout Norfolk, people in yellow and green wished us luck. At the ground, dressed as Norfolk dumpling, as I had been for Spurs and paraded around the perimeter track, the whole crowd seemed in yellow and green. My most vivid memory, Ken Nethercott defending City's goal with a dislocated shoulder. The safest pair of hands ever to keep goal for City.
The end of the Cup run the lads had given their all for City, unquestionably the greatest side to wear the yellow and green.
Alan Utting of Spixworth
WE'LL BLUNT THEIR BLADES: That was the message
from Alan Utting and the City fans back in the day
Although I was too young to go to any of the matches in the 58-59 Cup run my addiction to the Canaries springs directly from it.
I have some vague memories of glorious results and I can recall the Steward and Patterson's dray decorated with symbols of each victory. My clearest memory - and the one that got me hooked and has held me ever since - is being taken by my mum to see the team return to Thorpe Station after the semi-final replay defeat. Those men, dressed as they were in everyday brown overcoats and some in caps just like my dad's, were heroes. Since then I've been City through and through.
Bob Calver of Lyde, Hereford
As a 50-year-old (born 1958) I am afraid my memories do not quite stretch back to the glory of the Cup run. However, It was still instrumental in the development of my love affair with the Canaries.
It was in 1967 whilst reading one of the comics of the day (Hotspur, I think) that I came across a picture feature about the 1959 giant killing feat. I marvelled at the story of 'little Norwich' taking on and beating some of the best sides in the country. It sticks in my mind that every team they beat from round three onwards, were previous cup winners.
The thing that really did for an impressionable 9-year-old, was the magic of the kit. The wonderful combination of yellow and green was irresistable and still is 41 years later.
Gordon Tate of Burton on Trent
I would have been 11-years-old at the time and attended boarding school at Eden Hall, Bacton, Norfolk. It was a school for children who had chest problems, and a majority of them came from the Midlands to benefit from the fresh air on the coast. Imagine the football rivalry.
We had House Mothers who looked after us and some of them followed the Canaries Cup run. When they returned they would tell us about the games, and they gave me the programmes. When it came to the replay of the semi-final we were given the afternoon off from school, the local children made green and yellow rosettes, while the others black and white, then we listened to the match commentary.
This Cup run had whetted my appetite to follow the Canaries and when I left the school the following year, I started going to Carrow Road.
Jonathan Parnell of Hethersett
I remember the Cup run very well. I was eight that January and that was the first season my father took me to Carrow Road, though not unfortunately to any of the Cup matches. This started me on a lifelong love of the club, and although I now live near Newmarket, I still have two season tickets and take my own daughter whenever I can, and sometimes my 90-year-old mother.
My father went to all the Cup games home and away. He talked about arriving at a near-empty Bramall Lane several hours before kick-off, sitting down on the terraces to eat some sandwiches and being told severely by the Police to stand up - Sheffield United were then forever one of his most disliked clubs. I remember a phone call from his boss who was in Hong Kong on business but only wanted to know about the football, and I remember the excitement at school every time we won.
My father died two years ago, and hadn't been to a match for several years, but I know he would have loved to be involved with the celebrations.
Roger Turvey from Newmarket
It was just a fantastic time with a fantastic team. We might have been a Third Division team, but in every round we looked like a top team. I thought Archie Macaulay was a fantastic manager - he got the best out of every player he had. The game has changed a lot since then, but they were a joy to watch; they played the right way, and they deserved their achievement.
I will never, ever forget, as long as I live, that night we came back from Birmingham by train after the semi-final replay, seeing the number of people outside Thorpe Station and down Prince of Wales Road. It was unbelievable. We had been knocked out, but there couldn't have been more people to welcome the players home if they had just won the Cup.
I have often been asked about the history of the Club over the period I have supported it, and been involved. There have been some great achievements, but to me the Cup run was the greatest of all. The UEFA Cup was another great memory, but there has never been anything like the Cup run in my lifetime. I suppose people didn't have as many other activities as they do today, so everyone got smitten by the Cup run. Whole families used to go - some of them weren't really football supporters, but they jumped on the bandwagon and got smitten.
I remember the Tottenham away game - there were no ticket allocations, and the Tottenham fans were turning up to find that Norwich had virtually taken over the entire ground. It was just amazing - when we got to London it was just a sea of green and yellow. Then, when we came back that Saturday night, everyone went straight down to Carrow Road to queue for replay tickets. The queue stretched from County Hall to the ground - it was just amazing; it was real cup fever.
Colin Tovell
The 50th anniversary also brings my 50th year of supporting Norwich City. My late father used to cycle to the Nest from Bradwell often arriving after the match had started. The first time I was allowed to go to a match was the replay against Tottenham which Norwich won 1-0. I was not very big and could only see part of the pitch. I stood next to another younger boy in the South Stand. When Norwich scored it was the last time I saw him. The crowd went forward taking him with it.
What a great game to start my support of Norwich City. In the semi-final replay against Luton lessons were abandoned so we could listen to the match. I still have a season ticket and membership of the Gunn Club and it's nice to occasionally see some of the old players.
Bertie Patterson of Bradwell
Memories of 58/59 when Norwich ruled the world. I was there mostly! Queuing for tickets. My mother and aunt, like other families, queued in shifts for tickets and the queue seemed to last forever. I swear we got back from the Spurs match and started queuing!
The football special trains - a sea of yellow and green - and if you walked up the corridor you could see the team!
The ball hitting the bar cascading snow on Harry Gregg. Ken Nethercott's arm. Ticket spivs - did they get thrown in the river? On The Ball City - the noise and my dad and the old men singing - I was only 10.My Dad talking to Bobby Brennan and Jimmy Hill. Cup rosettes and ribbons on rattles. Mascots parading. Sherry and eggs! Luton replay on the radio at school - the despair and disbelief that we lost - why an afternoon kick-off? We played football.
Malcolm Robbins
I only became a true City fan around two years ago. My granddad (who lives in Cambridge) is a strong follower of the team, and I am quite often told stories of when he and his father - who was also a dedicated follower - used to go and watch the home matches together.
I don't usually have many opportunities to see Norwich City at home, and quite often I am forced to see away matches nearer to me (I live close to London) and the 59ers event would be a wonderful opportunity for me to visit Norwich and Carrow Road. Either way I'll still be behind the squad in 2009 pledging my support away or via various football blogs!
Edward Fellows
As a child on away days we used to go round my uncle Geoffrey's in Sprowston and listen to the game on Radio Norfolk and when Norwich were doing badly or we used to concede a goal my uncle religiously used to say "bring back Archie Macauley and his his Cup winning squad."
One Boxing Day when we were playing away I asked him what he meant and he said to me that he was the most magical manager that Norwich has ever seen and then told me of his stories of how Carrow Road came alive on every Cup game. It's one of of those things that has always stuck with me when watching them nowadays, it still pops in to my head "bring back Archie Macauley and his his Cup winning squad" just one of them childhood memories that has stuck.
Richard Stothard aged 24 from Oakham, Rutland
Every replay there was a prompt exodus at 3.45pm from staff at the school in Wisbech that I attended as they drove over to Norwich for the match. When the semi-final replay occurred, we were all given the afternoon off to listen to the match on the radio and we were all so disappointed at the result.
I collected the souvenir books and newspaper cuttings. I was gutted when I went to uni and my parents cleared the loft, throwing them out!
I watched the final on TV, all the while thinking 'we should have been there bor'. Luton were not a good footballing team and the final would have been much better graced by us and Forest. Anyway, this was when I first started supporting Norwich. I only once saw the 59 team and this was at King's Lynn when they played a friendly later in 1959. I think Erroll Crossan was my favourite because of his speed.
Jonathan King of Hethersett
INFAMOUS: Canary and Dumping cartoons that featured
heavily in the Pink 'Un during the Cup run
My memories of the great Cup run was the Man Utd game standing in the old River End with snow and in the cold. Also the next round against Cardiff then Spurs and being in the old South Stand for the replay against Sheffield Utd with people standing on the roofs of the Carrow Road side turnstiles. The cresendo of the Norwich support that night and against Spurs. l also started queing from Trowse Bridge and getting all the way to Carrow Bridge before the Club sold out of semi-final tickets against Luton.
l was 14-years-old at the time and remember it well still having all the newspaper cuttings, a programme and ticket.
Brian Gower
I remember as an 8-year-old schoolgirl we were all sitting in the classroom on chairs in a circle with the teacher, listening to commentary of one of the 1959 Norwich City FA Cup matches on the radio, although I really do not know which one! I guess it must have been a weekday match.
I don't believe my understanding of football was anything like it is now but it really sticks in my mind as being very exciting and important. Can you imagine anything like that happening today in the current education regime? I think not.
Gill Doy of Norwich
I have great memories of the 1959 Cup run. I came up from Ockham in Surrey to get married on March 14th at Old Buckenham, on the journey the sight of cars and coaches covered with yellow and green ballons and scarves was amazing.
I did my national service at the Royal Air Force in Old Buckenham and in 1956 I met and fell in love with a local girl called Pamela Easter and after getting demobbed I returned home and became a Norwich fan. I watched my local team Guildford City who at the time had Archie Macaulay as player-manager and it was great for Norwich that he became their manager.
When we had our reception, we had a radio to get the score. It's the 50th anniversary for the 59ers and also Pam and I golden anniversary, so we always remember March 14th 1959 our wedding and Norwich v Luton.
John Monk of Old Buckenham
I was still at school during the Cup run but managed to get to quite a few matches. I think that it was for the Sheffield United replay that we had to queue for tickets on the Sunday, but living out of the City and having no transport I couldn't make it. I wrote in saying that I was a vicar so obviously couldn't queue - I got two tickets by return of post and I still don't feel guilty!
For the Spurs evening match I was in a maths lesson at Swaffham when the Spurs coach pulled up on the Market Place for a break. The teacher, very reluctantly, gave us ten minutes to speak to them and we all were given tickets!!
Tim Melton
As an impressionable eight-year-old it was quite simple. Memories of the 59 Cup run were solely responsible for my love of football - a love affair that has lasted for 50 years.
Not that I went to any of the games of course - in those days I was just too young. But I vividly remember being taken into Curls Department store (now Debenhams) and promised a replica FA Cup when Norwich beat Luton in the semi-final. When we lost the replica cups were put in boxes and taken away. It was the first time in my life that I had been 'gutted' or felt as 'sick as a parrot'.
I went to my first match at Carrow Road the following season and have been supporting the Canaries ever since. So a small piece of plastic and city centre memories of that semi-final day got me hooked on 'the beautiful game'.
Peter Steward of Hethersett
Having been less than a twinkle in my father's eye during the Canaries' fantastic exploits of early 1959 I cannot add any personal recollections of those heady days. However, in my privileged position as Club Secretary and Trustee of the Historical Trust I have been fortunate enough to have met, on may occasions, all of the 59ers with the exception of the sadly departed Barry Butler.
Despite their fantastic achievements they all remain incredibly modest about that wonderful set of results and prefer instead to pour praise upon the thousands of City fans who followed Archie Macaulay's men around the country in such great and fanatical numbers.
I would love to have been a City fan in those days - there is nothing quite as satisfying as beating a higher-ranked club in the FA Cup and the national attention this squad received goes to show just how special Norwich City's 59ers must have been.
It is only right and proper that the Club is marking the 50th anniversary of the 59ers in such a way - they deserve it and their feats will never be forgotten and they already have their own special place in Norwich City folklore.
Kevan Platt, Club Secretary, Norwich City FC
