Having worked alongside Delia and Michael for more than two decades, Norwich City’s head of football administration and operations, Andrew Blofeld, has witnessed first-hand the many highlights of the pair’s tenure at the club.
In this moving tribute, he reflects on their tireless work behind the scenes and the genuine gratitude they showed to the club’s staff, players and supporters.
As you get older, your experiences and expectations of Christmas change. As a kid there’s the excitement of receiving and opening of gifts, yet as you get older, there is more joy in the giving of those gifts and taking time to appreciate the reactions of the recipients.
On Boxing Day of 2003, Delia and Michael gave Norwich City fans the most incredible Christmas present; something which made all of us, young and old, giddy with excitement. Against all odds, they delivered Darren Huckerby on a permanent contract, something us fans thought would be impossible, given the tight financial restrictions the club was faced with at the time.
It’s well known that Michael is a lifelong Norwich City fan and the look on Michael’s face as he and Delia presented Hucks to the crowd at Carrow Road was one of huge pride. Thankfully, it would not be the last time we would witness Michael beaming with pride; it was just the start of a completely enthralling roller coaster ride.
Darren’s arrival was the catalyst to our successful 2003/04 Championship-winning season, as this was followed by the back-to-back promotions in 2009/10 and 2010/11, the FA Youth Cup win in 2013, that incredible day at Wembley in 2015 and, of course, the two stunning promotions under Daniel Farke.
I recall one occasion when Delia and Michael treated the staff to a day out to London to watch Norwich take on Fulham. The game was forgettable, but what followed will live with me forever.
They took us for a customary Pizza Express, before inviting all of us back to their London flat for drinks, an incredible gesture from the owners of a football club. I recall Michael calling us over to his balcony which overlooked the River Thames and explaining how, during the previous week, he had watched a film crew recording a boat chase for the latest James Bond film on the stretch of river below. At the time, I was in my early 20s and movie mad, so I was stunned by what Michael had told me and completely in awe of the occasion and of Michael himself.
Delia and Michael would never miss an opportunity to bring the staff together to celebrate achievements or just to recognise hard work. Gatherings at City Hall, BBQs at the training ground, Christmas parties at various locations around the city, most of which would culminate in Neil Adams grabbing the microphone from the DJ to sing.
A few years ago, all staff who had served in excess of 20 years employment at the club were invited out to lunch by Delia and Michael. It was their idea and a really nice, personal touch. It was nothing flashy and it didn’t need to be; we were just chuffed to be asked. We went to an ‘eat in’ fish and chip shop in Holt. We had a coach full and the venue was hired for us only.
Delia and Michael would not sit together in the corner, they would split themselves across the group and chat to as many of us as they could. Michael was sat close to me and we talked about another of his loves, cricket, for a good length of time. Long serving youth development officer, Colin Watts was sat with us. Colin is renowned around the club for speaking his mind and never holding back with his questions, and as he has gotten older, any filter Colin did have is now well and truly broken! He asked Michael question after question, some probing and some more than a little inappropriate, but Michael would answer where he could and, if he couldn’t answer, he would tell us a story and we would soon forget what the question was anyway because he was so engaging.
I sat next to Colin on the coach journey home and he was so impressed with Michael, blown away with the afternoon we had enjoyed. Such a small gesture had such a huge impact on a man who has dedicated a big chunk of his working life to the club. It meant the world to Colin.
Michael loved his visits to the training ground and the staff and players loved having him there. Players young and old would go out of their way to greet Michael and chat, while the catering team would do all they could to look after him and give him the VIP treatment. There was really no need for this, as Michael was so down to earth, but people wanted to help and wanted to go above and beyond for him.
Delia, Michael and Delia’s mother, Etty, were huge supporters of the academy; nothing brought as much pride as seeing one of our own take to the field at Carrow Road. They had an understanding of the commitment these young players and their families made to the club in pursuit of their dreams. Whenever the Under-21s would play at Carrow Road, Etty would name the player of the match, so the players on the pitch would do all they could to impress and try to secure the award.
More often than not, the award was won by one of the Murphy twins, which helped forge an incredible relationship between Josh, Jacob, Michael and Delia and their families. I know both boys have a massive amount of love and respect for Michael and Delia.
Ahead of each season, our newly recruited scholars would come to Carrow Road to sign their paperwork and say goodbye to their parents as they moved to the club full time, a big occasion in the early stages of their career. What would make this more special would be the opportunity to meet the owners and have a signing photo taken with their parents and, of course, Delia and Michael.
This could be quite a daunting experience for a 16-year-old, but Michael would always put them at ease and show a real interest in their journey to date. Michael would usually finish with the question: “What position do you play?” The lad would reply with “centre-midfield” and Michael would respond, “Ah, the next Chippy”. This would usually result in a nervous chuckle from the player, but Michael knew his football.
Michael has overseen some of the biggest achievements in this club’s recent history, gave us players that became heroes and brought us moments that will live forever in our memories. If there is a heaven for Norwich City legends, then Michael will be there, dining at the top tableand recommending wines, although he will have to excuse himself for the odd cigarette.
On behalf of all the staff to have worked at Norwich City during your tenure, thank you Michael for giving us the opportunity and for allowing us to play our own small part in the history of this brilliant club.