As Norwich City prepare for the Championship DAVID FREEZER looks at City's previous second-tier successes.
As the clouds of relegation disappointment begin to clear for Norwich City supporters, attentions are turning to the possibilities which await the Canaries in the Championship.
The second tier of English football is a level City know well – having spent 35 seasons there in the past, more than at any other level since the club's foundation in 1902.
While the ambition will always be to chase success in the top flight, it should not be forgotten that many of the greatest moments in Canaries history have happened away from English football's top table.
Seven promotion parties have been enjoyed and, thankfully, just two relegation blows have been suffered.
Of course plenty of mundane seasons of frustration should not be forgotten about either but with City in a relatively strong financial position ahead of next season, more happy memories could well lay in wait.
Goals from Ken Foggo and Graham Paddon earned City's first Division Two title in a 2-1 win at Orient in 1972, with wild celebrations at Brisbane Road marking City's first promotion to the top flight.
Three years later it was the prolific Ted MacDougall firing the Canaries to third place and an immediate return to Division One and in 1985 it was Kevin Drinkell's goals allowing Ken Brown's team to bounce back straight away.
The magical loan impact of Darren Huckerby in 2003-04, Grant Holt bullying Championship defences in 2010-11 and that play-off final joy at Wembley in 2015 are all in the mix as well.
Those memories are the backbone of a club the size of Norwich City and the thought of potential new positive memories for fans to treasure will appeal to many. If promotion can again be secured in the next few years then how to become established in the Premier League will become the focus – but that is a different issue for another day.
Just for now, as this season's Championship comes to an end with the play-off final between Hull and Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley, let's allow our minds to drift about the possibilities the future could hold for the Canaries.
What are your favourite memories of the Canaries in the second tier? Email norfolksport@archant.co.uk or send a letter to Sports Desk, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE
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