2009–10 Norwich City F.C. season

The 2009–10 season was the 108th season in the history of Norwich City. It was the club's first season in Football League One (third tier of the English football pyramid) for 49 years, following relegation from The Championship in 2008–09. However, they gained promotion back to the second tier as league champions with a club record total of 95 points, finishing nine points ahead of runners-up Leeds United. This article shows statistics and lists all matches played by the club during the season.

Norwich City
2009–10 season
ChairmanAlan Bowkett
ManagerBryan Gunn until 14 August
Paul Lambert from 19 August
StadiumCarrow Road
League One1st – promoted to The Championship
FA CupSecond round
League CupSecond round
Football League TrophyArea semi-finals
Top goalscorerLeague: Grant Holt (24)
All: Grant Holt (30)
Highest home attendance25,506 (vs. Hartlepool United, 30 January)
Lowest home attendance23,041 (vs. Walsall, 5 September)
Average home league attendance24,756

Board and staff members

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Board members

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Position Staff
Chairman   Alan Bowkett
Joint Majority Shareholder   Delia Smith
Joint Majority Shareholder   Michael Wynn-Jones
Director   Michael Foulger
Director   Stephan Phillips
Chief Executive   David McNally

Last updated: 2 July 2009
Source:  Norwich City FC

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Coaching staff

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Position Staff
Manager   Paul Lambert
Assistant manager   Ian Culverhouse
First team coach
Reserve team manager
  Ian Crook
Head of football operations   Gary Karsa
Goalkeeping coach   Paul Crichton
Head of strength and conditioning   Alan Pearson
Sports Scientist   Vacant
Academy manager   Ricky Martin
Under-14s coach   Neil Adams
Performance analyst   Liam Weeks
Physiotherapist   Simon Spencer
Head of player recruitment   Vacant
Club doctor   Dr Peter Harvey
Chief scout   Vacant

Last updated: 19 August 2009
Source:  Norwich City FC

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Players

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First team squad

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Squad at end of season[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF   ENG Adam Drury
4 MF   ENG Matthew Gill
5 DF   ENG Michael Nelson
6 DF   SCO Russell Martin
7 MF   WAL Owain Tudur Jones
8 MF   SCO Stephen Hughes
9 FW   ENG Grant Holt (captain)
10 FW   ENG Jamie Cureton
11 FW   IRL Stephen Elliott (on loan from Preston North End)
12 DF   IRL Gary Doherty (vice-captain)
13 GK   ENG Declan Rudd
14 MF   IRL Wes Hoolahan
15 MF   IRL Michael Spillane[notes 1]
16 FW   SCO Chris Martin
17 MF   ENG Tom Adeyemi
18 MF   NIR Paul McVeigh
19 MF   SCO Simon Lappin
20 MF   ENG Darel Russell
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 GK   ENG Fraser Forster (on loan from Newcastle United)
22 DF   WAL Rhoys Wiggins[notes 2]
23 DF   ENG Michael Rose (on loan from Stockport County)
24 MF   ENG Anthony McNamee
25 FW   ENG Luke Daley
26 DF   WAL David Stephens[notes 3]
27 FW   ENG Cody McDonald
28 DF   ENG Sam Habergham
29 FW   IRL Danny Kelly[notes 4]
30 MF   ENG Korey Smith
31 DF   USA Zak Whitbread
32 FW   ENG Oli Johnson
33 DF   DEN Jens Berthel Askou
34 GK   ENG Jed Steer
36 MF   ENG Damon Lathrope
37 DF   ENG George Francomb
38 MF   WAL Josh Dawkin[notes 5]

Left club during season

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   AUS Michael Theoklitos (released)
2 DF   ENG Jon Otsemobor (to Southampton)
6 DF   SRB Dejan Stefanović (released)
10 FW   ENG Jamie Cureton (on loan to Shrewsbury Town)
11 MF   ENG Simon Whaley (to Chesterfield)
22 DF   WAL Rhoys Wiggins (on loan to Bournemouth)
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 DF   DEN Dario Đumić[notes 6] (to Brøndby)
33 FW   SCO Kris Renton (on loan to Brechin City)
31 GK   ENG Ben Alnwick (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
32 FW   SRB Goran Marić (to Real Unión)
36 MF   ENG Damon Lathrope (on loan to Bishop's Stortford)

Transfers

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Date Squad number Pos. Name From Fee
16 June 2009 7 MF Owain Tudur Jones Swansea City Undisclosed[2]
1 July 2009 4 MF Matthew Gill Exeter City Free[3]
1 July 2009 5 DF Michael Nelson Hartlepool United Free[4]
8 July 2009 1 GK Michael Theoklitos Melbourne Victory FC Free[5]
22 July 2009 8 MF Stephen Hughes Motherwell F.C. Free[6]
22 July 2009 18 MF Paul McVeigh Luton Town Free[7]
24 July 2009 11 MF Simon Whaley Preston North End Undisclosed[8]
24 July 2009 22 DF Rhoys Wiggins Crystal Palace Undisclosed[8]
24 July 2009 9 FW Grant Holt Shrewsbury Town £500,000[9]
30 July 2009 33 DF Jens Berthel Askou Unattached Free[10]
30 July 2009 32 FW Goran Marić Unattached Free[10]
4 January 2010 6 DF Russell Martin Peterborough United Undisclosed[11]
4 January 2010 24 MF Anthony McNamee Swindon Town Undisclosed[11]
8 January 2010 31 DF Zak Whitbread Millwall Undisclosed[12]
8 January 2010 32 FW Oli Johnson Stockport County Undisclosed[12]
  • Total spending:   ~ £650,000
Date Squad Num Pos. Name To Fee
12 May 2009 1 GK David Marshall Cardiff City £500,000[13]
18 May 2009 29 FW Carl Cort Brentford Free[14]
28 May 2009 7 MF Lee Croft Derby County Free[15]
1 July 2009 26 GK Stuart Nelson Aberdeen Free
24 July 2009 8 MF Sammy Clingan Coventry City £650,000[16]
6 August 2009 24 MF Matty Pattison Mamelodi Sundowns Undisclosed[17]
1 September 2009 6 DF Dejan Stefanović Released Free
3 December 2009 32 ST Goran Maric Real Unión Free
8 January 2010 35 FW Kris Renton Brechin City Free[18]
1 February 2010 11 MF Simon Whaley Chesterfield F.C. Free[19]
5 March 2010 1 GK Michael Theoklitos Brisbane Roar Free[20]
  • Total income:   ~ £1,150,000

Loans in

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Date Pos. Name From Expiry
24 July 2009 GK Ben Alnwick Tottenham Hotspur October 2009[21]
28 August 2009 GK Fraser Forster Newcastle United June 2010[22]
25 November 2009 DF Russell Martin Peterborough United 4 January 2010[23]
26 November 2009 MF Anthony McNamee Swindon Town 4 January 2010[24]
29 January 2010 DF Michael Rose Stockport County June 2010[25]
5 March 2010 FW Stephen Elliott Preston North End June 2010[26]

Loans out

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Date Pos. Name To Until
1 September 2009 FW Kris Renton Brechin City 9 December[27]
18 September 2009 MF Simon Whaley Rochdale 18 November 2009[28]
21 November 2009 MF Simon Whaley Bradford City 2 January 2010[29]
17 February 2010 FW Jamie Cureton Shrewsbury Town 5 May 2010[30][31]

Competitions

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  Win   Draw   Loss

Pre-season

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Note: this section relates to first team friendlies only.

Match 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Result 7–2 1–0 1–0 3–2 1–1 1–0 3–2
11 July 2009 Dartford 2–7 Norwich City Dartford, Kent
15:00 BST Noble   9'
White   68'
Report Nelson   3'
Neilson   38'
Doherty   43'
C. Martin   55', 66'
Cureton   76', 80'
Stadium: Princes Park
Attendance: 1,910
Referee: Andy D'Urso
14 July 2009 Raith Rovers   0–1 Norwich City Kirkcaldy, Scotland
19:45 BST Report McVeigh   60' Stadium: Stark's Park
Attendance: 1,135
Referee: Stephen Finnie
16 July 2009 St Johnstone   0–1 Norwich City St Andrews, Scotland
14:00 BST Report Marić   28' Stadium: University of St Andrews
Attendance: 0
Referee: Kevin Graham
18 July 2009 Airdrie United   2–3 Norwich City Airdrie, Scotland
15:00 BST McLaughlin   23' (pen.)
Keegan   74'
Report Hoolahan   13'
Marić   33'
Askou   41'
Stadium: Excelsior Stadium
Attendance: Unknown
Referee: Eddie Smith
25 July 2009 Norwich City 1–1 Manchester United XI Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST Adeyemi   21' Report De Laet   85' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,381
Referee: Keith Hill
28 July 2009 Crystal Palace 0–1 Norwich City Selhurst, London
19:45 BST Report Whaley   62' Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 2,216
Referee: David Phillips
1 August 2009 Norwich City 3–2 Wigan Athletic Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST C. Martin   36', 57'
Whaley   76'
Report N'Zogbia   9'
Cho   49'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 8,927
Referee: Kevin Wright
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Result 1–7 1–1 1–2 5–2 2–0 0–0 1–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 5–1 1–0 1–2 1–0 3–1 2–0 2–2 4–1 3–0 2–0 3–3 3–0 2–0
Position 23 22 22 19 10 10 14 14 14 9 7 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 3
Round 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
Result 1–0 3–1 5–0 1–0 2–1 2–1 1–2 2–1 0–2 2–1 1–0 3–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–2 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–2
Position 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

August

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8 August 2009 Norwich City 1–7 Colchester United Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST McDonald   72' Report Lisbie   10', 38'
Platt   13', 19'
Fox   22'
Perkins   76'
Vernon   90'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,217
Referee: Rob Shoebridge
15 August 2009 Exeter City 1–1 Norwich City Exeter, Devon
15:00 BST Logan   60' Report Askou   52' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 6,357
Referee: Anthony Bates
18 August 2009 Brentford 2–1 Norwich City Brentford, London
19:45 BST Dickson   51'
Hunt   71'
Report Tudur Jones   90' Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 7,395
Referee: Graham Scott
22 August 2009 Norwich City 5–2 Wycombe Wanderers Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST Holt   16', 71'
Smith   25'
Otsemobor   35'
Askou   49'
Report Pittman   39'
Harrold   46'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 23,428
Referee: Jon Moss
29 August 2009 Hartlepool United 0–2 Norwich City Hartlepool, County Durham
15:00 BST Report Nelson   27'
Hughes   64'
Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 4,470
Referee: Scott Mathieson

Norwich had high expectations after a good pre-season campaign, however a disastrous opening game of the season saw City suffer a record-breaking home defeat, losing 7–1 to Colchester United. Although the Canaries then went on to win 4–0 at Yeovil in the League Cup, Bryan Gunn was sacked and Paul Lambert - the man who had masterminded Colchester's victory against Norwich a few days previously - would be named as his successor, following a 1–1 draw away at Exeter City. Despite losing to Brentford, with the new manager sat in the stands, Lambert's first game in the dug-out saw City beat Wycombe 5–2 at Carrow Road before going on to win their first away league game of the season at Hartlepool (either side of a 1–4 home defeat to Premier League Sunderland in the League Cup), with Canaries fans starting to see signs of a recovery.

September

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5 September 2009 Norwich City 0–0 Walsall Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 23,041
Referee: Russell Booth
14 September 2009 Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 Norwich City Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
19:45 BST Puncheon   57'
Leven   77' (pen)
Report C. Martin   1' Stadium: Stadium:mk
Attendance: 10,354
Referee: Roger East
19 September 2009 Norwich City 2–2 Charlton Athletic Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST Hoolahan   44'
Holt   90'
Report Burton   18'
Shelvey   40'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,018
Referee: Steve Tanner
26 September 2009 Gillingham 1–1 Norwich City Gillingham, Kent
15:00 BST Jackson   36' (pen.) Report Forster   34'
Russell   90'
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 7,550
Referee: Paul Taylor
29 September 2009 Norwich City 4–0 Leyton Orient Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 BST C. Martin   75'
Holt   78'
Spillane   81'
Cureton   90'
Report Melligan   53' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 23,981
Referee: Karl Evans

After putting together an encouraging run at the end of August, September proved to be a more frustrating month for City. Starting off with a goalless draw at home to Walsall, Norwich followed that up with a 2–1 away defeat to MK Dons thanks to a dubious penalty awarded to the home side. Second-placed Charlton were next up at Carrow Road, and they quickly took control with an early 2–0 lead before Wes Hoolahan, recalled to the team, scored just before half time and eventually Grant Holt grabbed a last-minute equaliser to salvage a point. The Canaries then travelled to Gillingham the following week, where they found themselves both a goal down and a man down at halftime after goalkeeper Frazer Forster was sent off. But for the second game in succession, City showed fight and determination and once again grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser, this time through Darel Russell. Viewed by some as a turning point, Norwich then eased past Leyton Orient - winning 4–0 at Carrow Road - in the final game of September.

October

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3 October 2009 Norwich City 5–1 Bristol Rovers Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST C. Martin   9'
Hoolahan   31' (pen.)
Holt   33', 40'
Cureton   90'
Report Hughes   26' (pen.) Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,117
Referee: Andy Hall
10 October 2009 Carlisle United 0–1 Norwich City Carlisle, Cumbria
15:00 BST Report Hoolahan   42' Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 6,825
Referee: Dave Foster
19 October 2009 Leeds United 2–1 Norwich City Leeds, West Yorkshire
19:45 BST Johnson   15'
Beckford   90'
Report Holt   38' Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 19,912
Referee: Lee Mason
24 October 2009 Norwich City 1–0 Swindon Town Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST C. Martin   32' Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,959
Referee: Grant Hegley
31 October 2009 Stockport County 1–3 Norwich City Stockport, Greater Manchester
15:00 GMT Thompson   82' Report Holt   16', 90'
Hoolahan   69' (pen.)
Stadium: Edgeley Park
Attendance: 5,218
Referee: Andy Woolmer

October proved to be the month when Norwich really started climbing up the table. Days after their 4–0 win over Leyton Orient City followed it by a 5–1 win over Bristol Rovers before grabbing a hard-fought 1–0 win away at Carlisle courtesy of a Wes Hoolahan goal. 3 wins on the trot and 10 goals scored meant Norwich were now in a play off place. Next up for Norwich was top of the league Leeds who already looked to be running away with the league. Some would argue City were the better side in this game and City looked to be heading for a point, however Frazer Forster's miskick meant Leeds won the game with virtually the last kick of the game. However City went on to win their next two games of October beating play off chasing Swindon at Carrow Road 1–0 and then a 3–1 away win at Stockport. This meant five wins out of 6 in October and Norwich were only 4 points off second placed Charlton

November

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14 November 2009 Norwich City 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT Hoolahan   60' (pen.)
Doherty   80'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,025
Referee: Darren Deadman
21 November 2009 Southampton 2–2 Norwich City Southampton, Hampshire
15:00 GMT Lallana   11'
Connolly   65'
Report Hoolahan   54'
Hughes   75'
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 21,362
Referee: Andy Penn
24 November 2009 Norwich City 4–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 GMT Holt   3'
Hoolahan   22'
Elphick   69' (o.g.)
C. Martin   82'
Report Tunnicliffe   61' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,617
Referee: Keith Hill

City only had three league games in November due to cup commitments and they went through the month unbeaten. They grabbed a 2–0 win over struggling Tranmere before drawing 2–2 away at improving Southampton. They followed this up with a 4–1 win over Brighton at home. Grant Holt, Chris Martin and Wes Hoolahan all scored and all three were beginning to rack up the goals for Norwich

December

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1 December 2009 Southend United 0–3 Norwich City Southend-on-Sea, Essex
19:45 GMT Report Holt   68', 90' (pen.)
Smith   77'
Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 8,732
Referee: Phil Crossley
5 December 2009 Norwich City 2–0 Oldham Athletic Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT Holt   21'
Hoolahan   32'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,404
Referee: David Phillips
12 December 2009 Yeovil Town 3–3 Norwich City Yeovil, Somerset
15:00 GMT Bowditch   21'
MacDonald   67'
Obika   90'
Report C. Martin   60'
Doherty   65', 90'
Stadium: Huish Park
Attendance: 4,964
Referee: Craig Pawson
19 December 2009 Norwich City 3–0 Huddersfield Town Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT Hoolahan   57'
C. Martin   74'
Doherty   79'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,004
Referee: Chris Sarginson
26 December 2009 Norwich City 2–0 Millwall Norwich, Norfolk
12:45 GMT Hoolahan   28'
Holt   68'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,242
Referee: Graham Salisbury

For the second month in succession, Norwich went unbeaten and by the end of December had begun to really put pressure on the top 2. First up was a 3–0 away win at Southend - a ground the Canaries hadn't won at for 57 years. Following a goalless first half, the visitors turned on the style in the second half with a double from talismanic striker Grant Holt and another from academy-product Korey Smith. This was followed up with a routine 2–0 home win over Oldham, before what proved to be one of City's most exciting games of the season away at Yeovil. The home side took the lead in the first half through ex-Ipswich striker Dean Bowditch, before Norwich came back in the second half with goals from Chris Martin and Gary Doherty giving the Canaries a 2–1 lead. However, Yeovil quickly equalised and then looked to have won it after a 90th-minute goal, before a Russell Martin shot deflected off Gary Doherty in injury-time to ensure a share of the spoils. Two home matches against fellow promotion chasers came next, with Huddersfield Town the first to be dispatched – being defeated 3–0 – before a 2–0 Boxing Day success over Millwall left Norwich just 2 points shy of second-placed Charlton.

January

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2 January 2010 Wycombe Wanderers 0–1 Norwich City High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
15:00 GMT Report Smith   77' Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 7,171
Referee: Pat Miller
9 January 2010 Norwich City 3–1 Exeter City Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT Holt   8', 82'
C. Martin   77'
Report Stewart   81' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,955
Referee: Darren Deadman
16 January 2010 Colchester United 0–5 Norwich City Colchester, Essex
15:00 GMT Henderson   90' Report C. Martin   16', 45'
Doherty   49'
Johnson   81'
Holt   90'
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 10,064
Referee: Mike Dean
23 January 2010 Norwich City 1–0 Brentford Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT Holt   41'
C. Martin   77'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,979
Referee: Steve Rushton
26 January 2010 Walsall 1–2 Norwich City Walsall, West Midlands
19:45 GMT Deeney   35' Report C. Martin   77'
McDonald   85'
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 5,022
Referee: Mark Haywood
30 January 2010 Norwich City 2–1 Hartlepool United Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT McDonald   27'
Rose   32'
Report Austin   26' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,506
Referee: Paul Taylor

January proved to be a pivotal month for Norwich and they started it with a 1–0 win away at struggling Wycombe. Although the Canaries dominated the game they failed to make the breakthrough, and indeed were living dangerously at times with the home side coming close to taking the lead but for the width of the post. But Korey Smith eventually struck the winner in the 79th minute to send Norwich second in the league and into the automatic places for the first time this season. City followed this up with a 3–1 win at home to Exeter, which meant that they went into arguably their biggest game of the season so far - the return fixture against Colchester (with whom there had been considerable bad feeling brewing since Lambert's departure to Carrow Road) - in solid form. After the 7–1 drubbing on the opening day of the season and Paul Lambert's return to Colchester, it had all the makings of a classic. Ultimately though, the match merely served as a way for Norwich to exact fitting revenge, thrashing their hosts 5–0 on an extremely waterlogged pitch. A Chris Martin double put City 2–0 up at half-time before Gary Doherty, Grant Holt and Oli Johnson made it 5–0, with Wes Hoolahan's missed penalty proving not to be costly, whilst Colchester finished the match with 10 men thanks to Ian Henderson's sending off against his former side. On top of handing out a convincing defeat in a local derby, Norwich had now also closed the gap to league-leaders Leeds, and due to the latter's cup commitments, meant that City would usurp Leeds with a win over Brentford in their next match. That task was made more difficult after Grant Holt's sending off in the first half, but they still managed to see out a 1–0 win thanks to a Chris Martin goal. The Canaries now sat above Leeds on goal difference, albeit having played two games more. Another late come-from-behind win at Walsall in their next game, coupled with Leeds slipping to defeat, saw Norwich consolidate their position at the top of the table, extending their lead to three points. City ended the month with a 2–1 win over Hartlepool at Carrow Road, in a match that would see them record their highest attendance of the season, giving them a perfect record of 6 wins from 6 games in January.

February

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6 February 2010 Millwall 2–1 Norwich City Bermondsey, London
15:00 GMT Craig   25'
Harris   51'
Report C. Martin   4' Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 14,371
Referee: Grant Hegley
13 February 2010 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–2 Norwich City Brighton, East Sussex
15:00 GMT Bennett   21' Report Holt   80'
Doherty   84'
Stadium: Withdean Stadium
Attendance: 7,258
Referee: Dean Whitestone
20 February 2010 Norwich City 0–2 Southampton Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT Russell   64' Report Barnard   33', 77' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,103
Referee: Russell Booth
23 February 2010 Norwich City 2–1 Southend United Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 GMT Johnson   78', 90' Report Vernon   45' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,824
Referee: Mick Russell
27 February 2010 Oldham Athletic 0–1 Norwich City Oldham, Greater Manchester
15:00 GMT Report Holt   53' Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 5,344
Referee: Rob Shoebridge

City got off to a bad start in February, losing 2–1 away at Millwall despite taking an early lead – their first defeat since October, however, they bounced back with a fortunate 2–1 win away at Brighton. The Canaries were 1–0 down going into the final 10 minutes of the match, before Lambert's gamble of having four strikers on the pitch ultimately paid off as Norwich grabbed two late goals through Holt and Doherty to snatch three vital points. In their next game City again suffered defeat, losing 0–2 to Southampton in what was their first home loss under Paul Lambert, but they had a chance to put it right against their next opponents when struggling Southend came to Carrow Road. Despite their respective league positions, it was Southend who scored first, and indeed were still leading 1–0 with only 11 minutes remaining, before super-sub Oli Johnson came on to score two late goals - the winner arriving in the 94th minute - to clinch the game for Norwich in the most dramatic of circumstances. The final game of the month saw the Canaries see out a 1–0 win away at Oldham, which - coupled with inconsistent results for their promotion rivals across February - was enough to have built-up a 5-point gap on second-placed Leeds and, crucially, a 9-point gap on third-placed Charlton.

March

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6 March 2010 Norwich City 3–0 Yeovil Town Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT Hoolahan   2'
Holt   69'
C. Martin   75'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,868
Referee: James Linington
13 March 2010 Huddersfield Town 1–3 Norwich City Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
15:00 GMT Trotman   3' Report Holt   69'
Elliott   74', 85'
Stadium: Galpharm Stadium
Attendance: 17,959
Referee: Nigel Miller
20 March 2010 Swindon Town 1–1 Norwich City Swindon, Wiltshire
15:00 GMT Greer   90' Report Holt   52' Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 11,972
Referee: Scott Mathieson
27 March 2010 Norwich City 1–0 Leeds United Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT C. Martin   89' Report Kandol   90' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,445
Referee: Lee Probert

As the season started to reach the business end of proceedings, March was a hugely important month for Norwich with fixtures against 3 promotion chasers, including a home game against second-placed Leeds. City began with an easy 3–0 win over Yeovil at Carrow Road, before a tricky looking match at Huddersfield - who were unbeaten at their Galpharm Stadium going into this game - and had put in some impressive home displays. After a disappointing first half, Norwich found themselves 1–0 down going into the break, however, a stirring comeback in the second half saw Grant Holt, who had a hand in all of the goals, grabbing the equaliser before on-loan striker Stephen Elliot bagged a brace to give the Canaries a massive 3–1 win. Next up was a trip to 4th-placed Swindon Town who, despite falling a goal behind to Grant Holt's second-half header, managed to salvage a 92nd-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw. This set the stage for the visit of out-of-form Leeds to Carrow Road and presented Norwich with the opportunity of moving 11 points clear of their nearest rivals if they could muster a victory. The game itself proved to be a tight and cagey affair, but with 89 minutes on the clock, substitute Chris Martin headed home what was to be another dramatic late winner for the Canaries, leaving them ahead of the chasing pack by considerable distance with just 8 games of the season to go.

April

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2 April 2010 Tranmere Rovers 3–1 Norwich City Birkenhead, Merseyside
19:45 BST Thomas-Moore   6' (pen.), 12' (pen.)
Curran   31'
Report Forster   10'
Holt   58'
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 6,263
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
5 April 2010 Norwich City 2–1 Stockport County Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST McNamee   3'
Holt   25'
Report Ibehre   12' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,353
Referee: Fred Graham
10 April 2010 Norwich City 1–1 Milton Keynes Dons Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST C. Martin   90' Report Wilbraham   20'   53'   90' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,888
Referee: Kevin Friend
13 April 2010 Leyton Orient 2–1 Norwich City Leyton, London
19:45 BST Thornton   3', 29' Report Smith   19' Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 7,520
Referee: Graham Scott
17 April 2010 Charlton Athletic 0–1 Norwich City Charlton, London
15:00 BST Report Nelson   34' Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 20,023
Referee: Andy Hall
24 April 2010 Norwich City 2–0 Gillingham Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST Russell   74'
Nelson   82'
Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,227
Referee: Trevor Kettle

Heading into April and given their advantage at the top of the table, Norwich knew that all that was required was to see the job through to earn promotion. However, the first game of the month proved to be one of the more bizarre games of the season. Away to struggling Tranmere, the home side were awarded two highly dubious penalties in the opening 10 minutes, scoring both, with Fraser Forster also being sent off for Norwich. Tranmere then added a third despite a clear handball, to leave the Canaries furious with the inexplicable performance of referee Eddie Ilderton, before they managed a consolation goal in the second half - but the damage had already been done and the game ended 3–1. Norwich were at least given the perfect opportunity to put things right after that with a home game against bottom team Stockport County following three days later. Whilst the Canaries were far from their best, the game ended in a 2–1 home win that saw Grant Holt become the first Norwich player since 1964 to score 30 goals in a season. MK Dons were the visitors to Carrow Road a few days later in what proved to be a fiery affair. The Dons went 1–0 up in the first half, with City being denied a clear-cut penalty in the second half as the game grew increasingly bad-tempered - the visitors racked up a total of 9 yellow cards (including two for goal-scorer Aaron Wilbraham which saw led to his dismissal) - but once again Chris Martin scored a late goal to rescue a point. With promotion looking as if it could be sealed as early as the next game, City headed to east London to play mid-table Leyton Orient, backed by a bumper away crowd. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be their day as the Canaries were defeated 2–1 by a spirited home side. However, they had a chance to put this right at Charlton. If results went their way, Norwich could be promoted with a win at the ground at which they were relegated 11 months previously. City went ahead through a Michael Nelson header in the first half and, after some terrific saves from Fraser Forster, survived the Charlton onslaught to seal the win and promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking. Considering their opening day mauling and the 15-point lead that Leeds had once held, it was a monumental achievement for Norwich. It also meant that they only needed 1 point from their remaining three games to seal the title - which was duly delivered in their next game following a 2–0 home win over Gillingham.

1 May 2010 Bristol Rovers 0–3 Norwich City Bristol
15:00 BST Report C. Martin   31'
Johnson   78'
Hughes   68'
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 8,836
Referee: Phil Gibbs
8 May 2010 Norwich City 0–2 Carlisle United Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST Report Madine   1'
Price   7'
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 25,181
Referee: Andy Penn

With promotion and the League One title already sealed, it was a case of ending the season on a high for the impressive Canaries. Early promotion contenders Bristol Rovers were comfortably defeated 3–0 in Norwich's final away game of the season, before a surprise 0–2 loss to Carlisle ensured that City finished the season as they started it - with a home defeat. Ultimately though, this did little to dampen the fans' and players' promotion celebrations at the final whistle, with everyone associated with the Canaries left to reflect on what had been a hugely memorable and successful season, which saw them finish 9 points ahead of second-placed Leeds and 10 points clear of third-placed Millwall. Norwich also finished the season as the league's highest scorers, with a huge 89 goals scored across the season.

Round 1 2
Result 7–0 1–3
7 November 2009 Round 1 Paulton Rovers 0–7 Norwich City Paulton, Somerset
12:45 GMT Report Holt   15', 43'
C. Martin   24', 77', 83', 85'
Hoolahan   74'
Stadium: Winterfield Road
Attendance: 2,070
Referee: Andy Hall
28 November 2009 Round 2 Carlisle United 3–1 Norwich City Carlisle, Cumbria
17:45 GMT Péricard   12'
Hurst   46'
Keogh   72'
Report Holt   26' Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 3,946
Referee: Nigel Miller

Due to being in League One, City started in the FA Cup in the first round. They started off with a potential banana skin[clarification needed] away at non-league Paulton Rovers. However City made easy work of Paulton winning 7–0, although City would not make it to the third round of the cup, losing 3–1 away at Carlisle

Round 1 2
Result 4–0 1–4
11 August 2009 Round 1 Yeovil Town 0–4 Norwich City Yeovil, Somerset
19:45 BST Report Hoolahan   55' (pen.)
Holt   64', 82', 90'
Stadium: Huish Park
Attendance: 3,860
Referee: James Linington
24 August 2009 Round 2 Norwich City 1–4 Sunderland Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 BST Hoolahan   63'
Spillane   83'
Report Tainio   26'
Reid   30', 36'
Tudur Jones   67' (o.g.)
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,345
Referee: Anthony Taylor

Norwich once again failed to make any sort of real impact in the Carling Cup, going out in the second round. They managed to pick up a 4–0 away win away at Yeovil with Grant Holt getting a hat-trick in what proved to be Bryan Gunn's final game as manager. Then, in Paul Lambert's second as manager, they lost 4–1 with Lambert putting out a below strength team. Wes Hoolahan grabbed the only goal. The game ended bizarrely with Michael Spillane sent off. Ben Alnwick was forced off injured so City were down to nine men and Cody McDonald was forced to go in goal.[citation needed]

Round 1 2 3 4
Result 1–0 1–0 0–0 2–2
1 September 2009 Round 1 Norwich City 1–0 Brentford Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 BST C. Martin   30' Report Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,540
Referee: Gavin Ward
6 October 2009 Round 2 Gillingham 0–1 Norwich City Gillingham, Kent
19:30 BST Report McDonald   66' Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 2,814
Referee: Steve Cook
10 November 2009 Area quarter-final Swindon Town 0–0
(3–5 p)
Norwich City Swindon, Wiltshire
19:30 GMT Report Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 4,978
Referee: Graham Horwood
Penalties
Paynter  
Austin  
Amankwaah  
Easton  
  Tudur Jones
  Hughes
  Nelson
  Askou
  Cureton
15 December 2009 Area semi-final Southampton 2–2
(6–5 p)
Norwich City Southampton, Hampshire
19:45 GMT Papa Waigo   14', 90' Report Doherty   33'
C. Martin   55'
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 15,453
Referee: Kevin Wright
Penalties
Lambert  
Papa Waigo  
James  
Lallana  
Wotton  
Hammond  
Antonio  
Thomas  
  Holt
  R. Martin
  C. Martin
  Nelson
  Russell
  Otsemobor
  Gill
  McDonald

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Norwich City (C, P) 46 29 8 9 89 47 +42 95 Promotion to Football League Championship
2 Leeds United (P) 46 25 11 10 77 44 +33 86
3 Millwall (O, P) 46 24 13 9 76 44 +32 85 Qualification for League One play-offs
4 Charlton Athletic 46 23 15 8 71 48 +23 84
5 Swindon Town 46 22 16 8 73 57 +16 82
Source: The Football League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "First Team Profiles". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 14 July 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  2. ^ "Tuder Jones is second summer signing". Norwich City F.C. 16 June 2009. Archived from the original on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  3. ^ "Gill is first summer signing". Norwich City F.C. 10 June 2009. Archived from the original on 13 June 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  4. ^ "Canaries snap up defender Nelson". BBC Sport. 19 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  5. ^ "Aussie Keeper Joins Canaries". Norwich City F.C. 8 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  6. ^ "City Sign Hughes". Norwich City F.C. 22 July 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Return of the Mac". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 23 July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  8. ^ a b "Double Swoop For City". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  9. ^ "Norwich sign Holt from Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  10. ^ a b "Maric and Askou sign Canary deals". BBC Sport. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  11. ^ a b "CITY SIGN MARTIN AND MCNAMEE". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 20 January 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  12. ^ a b "Lambert in double swoop". Norwich City F.C. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  13. ^ "Cardiff capture keeper Marshall". BBC Sport. 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 15 May 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  14. ^ "CORT LEAVES CARROW ROAD". Norwich City F.C. 18 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 May 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
  15. ^ "CROFT LEAVES CITY". Norwich City F.C. 28 May 2009. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  16. ^ "Midfielder Sammy Clingan joins the Sky Blues". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 26 July 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  17. ^ "Pattison Completes Move". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 8 August 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  18. ^ "Renton departs Carrow Road". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  19. ^ "Whaley departs Carrow Road". Norwich City F.C. 1 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  20. ^ "Theoklitos leaves City". Norwich City F.C. 6 March 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  21. ^ "Alnwick Joins on Loan". Norwich City F.C. 24 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  22. ^ "Toon 'Keeper Joins Canaries". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  23. ^ "City Swoop For Martin On Loan". Norwich City F.C. 25 November 2009. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  24. ^ "McNamee Joins Canaries On Loan". Norwich City F.C. 26 November 2009. Archived from the original on 29 November 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  25. ^ "City complete signing of Rose". Norwich City F.C. 29 January 2010. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  26. ^ "Elliott completes move to City". Norwich City F.C. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  27. ^ "Renton Joins Brechin On Loan". Norwich City F.C. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  28. ^ "Whaley moves to Rochdale on loan". BBC Sport. 18 September 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  29. ^ "WHALEY JOINS BANTAMS ON LOAN". Norwich City F.C. 21 November 2009. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  30. ^ "Shrewsbury sign Norwich striker Jamie Cureton on loan". BBC Sport. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  31. ^ "Loan duo leave Shrewsbury". Sky Sports. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

Notes

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  1. ^ Spillane was born in Cambridge, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented them at U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-21 level.
  2. ^ Wiggins was born in Hillingdon, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and represented them at U-17, U-19, and U-21 level.
  3. ^ Stephens was born in Welwyn Garden City, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and represented them at U-17, U-19 and U-21 level.
  4. ^ Kelly was born in Cambridge, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented them at U-19 level.
  5. ^ Dawkin was born in St Ives, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally through his mother and represented them at U-17 and U-19 level.
  6. ^ Đumić was born in Sarajevo, SFR Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina), but also qualified to represent Denmark internationally and represented them at every youth level between U-17 and U-20 level before making his international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2017.