New columnist Edward Jacobs looks at when Norwich met Manchester United at Carrow Road 14 years ago today and looks at what the players from that day have been upto in recent years.
Norwich City 1-3 Manchester United, 5th April, 1993.
This game was billed as a potential title decider with Norwich having beaten Aston Villa the game prior to this. Unfortunately as we all know it didn’t work out with United settling the game courtesy of three goals in five minutes from Cantona, Giggs and Kanchelskis. Mark Robins replied for Norwich but it was too little too late. It triggered a run of defeats for Norwich which saw them slip out of the title frame and narrowly clinch 3rd place. However what ever happened to the team that took the field that day?
1.Bryan Gunn: Powerless to prevent any of the goals that day and was in magnificent form all season winning the player of the year trophy. Hence broken leg two years later would be a key reason why Norwich dropped out of the Premier League in 1995. After retiring from football in 1998 after another broken leg Gunn returned to Norwich in the commercial area hosting the ‘Gunn Club’ on match days. He later went on to become sheriff of Norwich in 2002 as well as continuing to do stirling work for his leaukemia charity. In 2007 was newly appointed into Peter Grant Management team as ‘Club liason Officer.’
2. Mark Bowen: Welsh full back went on to score against Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium in 1994. However after a falling out with Gary Megson he left the club in 1995 and had a nomadic end to his career playing at Charlton, Reading and in the far east. Now assistant manager to Mark Hughes at Blackburn Rovers and was rumoured to have been offered the manager’s position at Norwich before it was given to Peter Grant.
3.Iain Culverhouse: Consistent performer who famously scored his only goal for Norwich in 297 appearances in the next season against Everton. Left Norwich for Swindon in 1995 after a contractual dispute. Has subsequently coached youth teams at Barnet, Leyton Orient and Wycombe Wanderers. Voted the club’s best ever right back as part of the club centenary celebrations.
4. Ian Butterworth: Captain and first team regular until knee injuries forced him to retire during the 1994/95 season. Tried to launch comebacks with King’s Lynn and Colarado Rapids but these proved to be unsuccessful. After a spell managing in Sweden with Braga in 1997 he is now reserve team manager at Hartepool United.
5. John Polston: Scorer of the crucial goal against Aston Villa the game prior to this one. Another part of the ex Spurs contingent along with Bowen, Culverhouse and Crook. Remained at Norwich until 1998 before moving to Reading. He had a brief spell as assistant manager at Grays Athletic before becoming a personal trainer.
6. David Phillips: Scored 9 goals that season before being surprising sold at the end of the season. While his performances could be erratic rumour has it he was sold to pay for the under soil heating now in place at Carrow Road. After helping Forest gain promotion to the Premier League and subsequently to finish 3rd he endured a nomadic career which took him to Huddersfield, Lincoln and Stevenage. Now under 14 Coach at Coventry and summarizer for BBC Wales.
7. Ruel Fox: The next season Fox was sold to Newcastle in a two and a quarter million pound deal. He also later went on to play Spurs and West Brom. Played for the Caribbean island of Monserrat and helped with coaching and identifying talent in 2004. Now runs a restaurant in his home town of Ipswich.
8. Gary Megson: The general as he became known to supporters went on to manage the club in 1995 overseeing the club’s relegation from the Premiership. Another successful spell with the club followed in 1996 with many fans citing his close relationship with chairman Robert Chase as his failing. Subsequently helped West Brom to two promotions and more recently resigned as manager of Nottingham Forest in Februrary 2006.
9. Mark Robins: The goal scoring hero of Norwich’s season following an 800,000 move from Manchester United. Struggled for goals the next season before controversially being sold by John Deehan for 1million in 1995. Is currently caretaker manager at Rotherham United where has linked up with Rossi Jarvis, Ian Henderson and Craig Fleming.
10. Chris Sutton: The only member of the team still playing professional football. Suttons goal scoring heroics the next season would earn him a 5million move to Blackburn where his lethal partnership with Alan Shearer would help them to the league title. An unsuccessful spell at Chelsea followed before enjoying great success at Celtic. Currently at Aston Villa but has not played since before Christmas due to a serious eye injury. Rumoured to be linked with a move back to Carrow Road in the summer.
11. Ian Crook: Would see his status elevated to legendary levels after famously turning his back on Ipswich despite signing a contract with them for the 1996/7 season. Now assistant manager at Japanese Second Division side Avispa Fukuoka. Came back to play in the club’s centenary match against Harwich and Parkeston in 2002.
Thanks to Edward, great stuff. Very impressive team we had back then. I remember crying when Ruel Fox left for Newcastle! Fighting to be Premiership Champions – those were the days!
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