Playing professional football for a living is a short career.

If the average player retires in their mid-30s, then that leaves a lot of spare time - and there is only so much golf you can play!

Here are 10 former Norwich City players that went on to have a surprising second career.


Eastern Daily Press: Former NCFC player turned teaching assistant Robert Fleck with Max, 12, at Parkside School.Picture: ANTONY KELLYFormer NCFC player turned teaching assistant Robert Fleck with Max, 12, at Parkside School.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Robert Fleck – Teaching Assistant

With over 299 appearances across two spells with the Canaries, you could be excused for thinking the last place you’d find former Scottish international Robert Fleck would be a classroom. However, over three decades on from last playing for Norwich City, Fleck is now a teaching assistant at a school for children with complex needs.

In 2016, Fleck told this paper: "I really enjoy helping the children, whether it's working with them in the classroom or with life skills out in the city. And I try to make things fun. Life doesn't have to be too serious. I try and bring a bit of sunshine!"


Eastern Daily Press: John Fashanu and his brother Justin, both ex-NCFC players. Photo: Archant LibraryJohn Fashanu and his brother Justin, both ex-NCFC players. Photo: Archant Library

John Fashanu - TV Star

Having only played seven times for Norwich City between 1978 and 1983, it was at Wimbledon where Fashanu really made his name. However, after retiring from football in 1995, the former England international turned to reality television and became a presenter for the UK version of Gladiators co-presenting alongside Ulrika Jonsson.

In 2003, he appeared on the second series of 'I'm a Celebrity' before taking part in a football special edition of Come Dine With Me ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Eastern Daily Press: NCFC v Hull 2008. at Carrow Road. Dion Dublin; Photo:Antony Kelly;NCFC v Hull 2008. at Carrow Road. Dion Dublin; Photo:Antony Kelly; (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK PHOTOGRAPHIC © 2007)

Dion Dublin - TV Presenter

Dion Dublin is a name familiar to most in English football and has 111 Premier League goals to his name. Following a successful career with the likes of Coventry City, Aston Villa and of course, Norwich City, Dublin took to presenting and in 2015 became a co-host for Homes Under the Hammer.

Dublin is also something of a pioneer, having invented a percussion instrument called "The Dube".


Leon McKenzie - Boxer

The former Norwich City striker endeared himself to Canary fans almost immediately with two goals against arch-rivals Ipswich Town on his debut in December 2003. During his time with the club, McKenzie made 81 appearances and scored 22 goals.

McKenzie's father is Clinton McKenzie, the former British and European boxing champion and in 2013 after retiring from football, Leon decided to follow in his footsteps. McKenzie enjoyed a four-year boxing career, finishing in 2017 with eight wins from 11 fights.


Eastern Daily Press: Phil Mulryne celebrates scoring during a vital win at Reading in April 2004, as Norwich City closed on the Division One title. Picture: James BassPhil Mulryne celebrates scoring during a vital win at Reading in April 2004, as Norwich City closed on the Division One title. Picture: James Bass (Image: Eastern Daily Press © 2004)

Phillip Mulryne - Priest

Perhaps the most bizarre career choice on this list is the case of Phillip Mulryne. Having played for Norwich between 1999 and 2005, he made 161 appearances and scored 18 goals. After retiring from football in 2009, he began formation for the Roman Catholic priesthood.

Mulryne studied philosophy at Queen's University Belfast and at the Maryvale Institute for two years.

Subsequently, he qualified for the Pontifical Irish College, Rome studying theology for one year at the Gregorian University before discerning a call to a religious life.

He entered the Dominican Novitiate House in Cork in 2012.


Eastern Daily Press: Clive PayneClive Payne (Image: Archant)

Clive Payne - Business Owner

Clive Payne was an old-fashioned right-back and a key member of the team that won the Second Division championship in 1972.

Payne made 150 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.

Now 71 years of age, he set up Aylsham Windows after he finished playing but is now retired.

Eastern Daily Press: Alex Notman on the run for City. Picture: Bill SmithAlex Notman on the run for City. Picture: Bill Smith (Image: Eastern Daily Press © 2001)

Alex Notman - Project Engineer

Alex Notman's football career was over before it had even properly started. A Manchester United youth prospect, Notman was forced to retire aged just 23 in 2003 following an ankle injury sustained the previous year against Ipswich Town.

Today, Notman is working as a project engineer as a contractor within the oil and gas industry and has embraced his new career over the past decade.

Notman told the PinkUn in 2017: "I would’ve been coming to the end of my career now and worrying about what I was going to do next – but I’ve got a future and a career ahead of me I can go on with.”

Eastern Daily Press: Greg DownsGreg Downs (Image: Archant)

Greg Downs - Police Officer

Greg Downs actually started his career as a striker before becoming a left back early in his career. Downs spent nine years with the Canaries and made 206 appearances during his time with the club.

After retiring from professional football in 1995, Downs became a police officer.


Eastern Daily Press: Paul McVeigh in action during Cup match against Chelsea. Picture: Bill SmithPaul McVeigh in action during Cup match against Chelsea. Picture: Bill Smith (Image: Eastern Daily Press © 2001)

Paul McVeigh - Motivational Speaker

The former Northern Ireland international forward was a fan favourite during his time in Norfolk. Having made 246 appearances across two spells, Paul McVeigh was a big part of Nigel Worthington's 2004 promotion winning team.

Today, McVeigh is a keynote speaker and an expert in elite performance. His goal is to empower individuals to understand that their mindset and thinking habits unlock the required behaviours that are necessary for elite performance.


Eastern Daily Press: Terry AllcockTerry Allcock (Image: Archant)

Terry Allcock - Funeral Directors

The former City forward was part of one of the club's most successful FA Cup runs as Norwich reached the semi-finals. Allcock scored 127 goals in 389 games during his time with the Canaries and that total means he sits in second place in the club's all-time record goalscorers list, only trailing Johnny Gavin.

Following Allcock's retirement from the game, he set up Allcock Family Funeral Services which is still a family-run business today.