Daniel Farke’s Norwich City squad knows how to put a smile on the faces of their supporters.
From winning the Championship to beating the reigning Premier League champions, Farke’s squad have constructed positive memories that will last with supporters for eternity.
Now, even the simplest kick of a football represents a step back to normality and City’s chief is determined to bring some much-needed light to supporters who have sacrificed so much in the fight against coronavirus.
“We will have that thought in our minds when we go on the pitch,” Farke said.
“It’s not like we’re playing just for us 11 versus 11 because we know the whole club and community will follow these game.
“It’s important for the mood of the whole city and society that football starts but if I had the feeling that we were risking the life of one human being then the money, fair play or the mood isn’t important.
“Every life is more important than fair play or mood reasons. Once the key people decided that it was safe to do so, then we definitely have in our mind that for the mood or our supporters and society it’s important that we play with responsibility and it’s a topic we speak a lot about.”
A return to action in the Premier League has been tentative and cautious, with the governing body keen to ensure safety is of paramount importance.
City’s squad returned to full contact training last week after the government announced that elite sport could begin behind closed doors from June 1.
City will have to wait until later this month for a return to action - three months after their last fixture against Sheffield United in March.
Despite the Canaries fixtures set to take behind closed doors, Farke believes that possessing a home advantage will still prove beneficial for City’s first team squad.
“You don’t have to travel and it still feels like your home stadium. It’s always a big advantage when we play in front of the yellow wall because we have the special unity, the special bond and we will miss them.
“It will be a strange feeling to play at Carrow Road without them but I think we’ll feel the energy in the whole city anyhow.”
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