Wednesday 20 July 2011

March 1983 - Norwich City v West Ham United

After winning promotion in the previous season, City struggled in the top division. Having spent most of the season in the relegation places, they needed to put some results together to avoid dropping straight back to the second division. A win against Watford at the start of the month had lifted Norwich out of the bottom three, but a defeat at Villa followed by two draws had left them still in trouble.

However, this game formed part of a 10 game unbeaten run which lifted them into mid-table. Norwich City included England 2nd choice goalkeeper Chris Woods, Dave Watson, also on the fringe of the England squad, Martin O'Neill in his second spell at the club and Mick Channon.

West Ham had some very well known players in the team: Phil Parkes in goal, Frank Lampard Senior, Billy Bonds, Alan Devonshire and a young Alan Dickens.

The game was shown on Anglia TV's 'Match of the Week' - a weekly Sunday highlights program of the region's teams. This usually meant Norwich, Ipswich and occasionally Luton as representatives in the top division.

Look out for a young Steve Ryder, now a BBC stalwart, and a tribute to Bob Paisley, the Liverpool manager as his team won the Milk Cup the day before.

First Half

Second Half

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