For most Canaries fans, the frustration of Saturday's one-nil defeat away to Birmingham City was more than compensated by the knowledge of the play-off campaign to follow.

But for Tim Merchant, 34, there was another twist to the afternoon that must have taken the shine off even that.

Dr Merchant returned to his car after the game to find that it had been dismantled by criminals who had completely stripped it for parts.

They had gutted the vehicle to such an extent that Dr Merchant could not even recognise it as his own.

The doctor, who works for the NHS 111 service in Norwich, was left stranded in Birmingham for several hours while he arranged for the remaining hulk to be collected before he could make his way home by train.

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He had travelled to the game on Saturday in his Toyota Yaris, and parked on a street near Birmingham's St Andrew's stadium before heading to the match.

He discovered the damage when he returned after the final whistle.

Eastern Daily Press: Tim Merchant, 34, NHS doctor in Norwich, has been a Norwich City fan since he was four-years-oldTim Merchant, 34, NHS doctor in Norwich, has been a Norwich City fan since he was four-years-old (Image: Tim Merchant)

Dr Merchant, who has been a Norwich City football fan since he was four-years-old, said he had thought the car would be safe where it was.

"I was about half a kilometre away from the stadium, there were lots of cars nicer than mine parked there, like Mercedes and Teslas," he said.

"I made sure all my valuables were safe and out of sight and that it didn't look like I was a Norwich fan.

"I went to the game and when I got back to the car, I found it completely destroyed. 

Eastern Daily Press: Mr Merchant was left stranded in Birmingham when his Toyota Yaris was gutted for parts during a Norwich City gameMr Merchant was left stranded in Birmingham when his Toyota Yaris was gutted for parts during a Norwich City game (Image: Tim Merchant)

"The whole front of the car was missing, the window was smashed in, all of the electrics were completely pulled out and removed.

"I was in shock, I thought this can't be my car, I've made a mistake and come to the wrong car.

"I thought I was safe, parked behind a Mercedes. I was very upset, I was on my own, miles away from home.

"Some Birmingham fans came to check on me, they said there had been similar incidents like this, gangs easily get the parts to sell on.

Eastern Daily Press: The incident occurred on Saturday at around 2.30pm, during the Norwich City versus Birmingham City game in St Andrew's Trillion Trophy StadiumThe incident occurred on Saturday at around 2.30pm, during the Norwich City versus Birmingham City game in St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium (Image: Tim Merchant)

"They're not targeting high end cars because certain vehicles are easier to get into and the parts are more valuable.

"With Toyota being a Japanese brand, it makes parts more difficult to import, so they sell them on the black market.

"I was so angry. I was stuck there for four hours and only got to the train station after the car was collected, I was stranded in Birmingham. 

"Police took my details, but I couldn't get through to the insurance company for an hour.

"I was very lucky because the gentleman who owned a small business under the bridge had some CCTV footage.

Eastern Daily Press: A group of Mr Merchant's friends and frequent Norwich city away supporters are collecting funds together to help recover some of the costsA group of Mr Merchant's friends and frequent Norwich city away supporters are collecting funds together to help recover some of the costs (Image: Tim Merchant)

"You can see a black car pull up next to mine, someone gets out, smashes the window, starts to take apart the car and then drives off.

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"It happened only five minutes before I arrived back at my car. I had mixed emotions because he could have had a weapon on him, a knife, it could have ended up a lot worse.

"I'm thankful for the outpouring of support I've received from both Norwich and Birmingham supporters since it happened", Dr Merchant added.

A group of his friends and regular Norwich City away supporters are collecting funds to help recover some of the costs.