Norwich City Academy midfielder Joe Duffy has signed his first professional contract at the club through to the summer of 2023.
“It’s an amazing feeling, especially signing for your boyhood club,” he said. “It’s always going to be amazing to sign your first contract, but when you’ve supported Norwich growing up and lived here since such a young age, it’s really special.
“I’ve been a season ticket holder for so many years now, seeing the team play week in, week out at Carrow Road, which is something special. That’s what I want to do in years to come. Putting on the shirt makes me proud because it’s who I support and the club I love.
“I played football at a young age like everyone else. I played for my local team, Costessey Sports, and they did a lot for me bringing me up. I’ve always been managed by top coaches and that really helps. I’ve been here since the age of eight, so a very young age, and having so many top coaches and progressing through the ranks, contract by contract, the professional contract is definitely the most important because it shows how long I’ve been here, to finally get this over the line is incredible.”
Working with the coaches at Lotus Training Centre has developed Duffy and his teammates on and off the pitch.
“Not just as a player, but as a person as well,” he said. “For example, Greg Crane is always onto us. He has high expectations and demands more of us each day, which helps us massively. The habits you have on the pitch are going to help you off the pitch and vice versa, so it’s very important.”
Duffy got four goals and three assists in the Under-18 Premier League last season, and is looking to add to that tally in 2021/22.
“I think my stats didn’t do me justice too much,” he said. “My performances were quite good, but it’s definitely a part of my game that I can add to this season. I’m already on five assists, so the next step is goals, adding to those numbers and hopefully getting into double figures.
“It’s all about consistent performances from now on. I’m starting to do that and once I start adding the goals and assists, I think I can make that step up to the 23s and it will be okay.
“It’s definitely been a difficult start to the season. The results haven’t been great at all but we’re slowly becoming more of a team, finding out more about each other each day.
“Our recent performances have been good and we’ve shown hard work as a team, stuck together and done stuff off the pitch that’s brought us closer together, so that’s the main thing.
“In the next few months, people will start to see the real us because there are so many talented individuals. It’s just about coming together as a team, getting those results and showing the country what we’re about.”