Head of sport CHRIS LAKEY turns the clock back on the anniversary of one of the greatest days in Norwich City's history.

Eastern Daily Press: Terry Bly (far left) scores the opening goal after 31 minutes from a cross from Bobby Brennan, just visible through the netting, to set the Canaries on their way to victory. The challenge from United's Joe Carolan (3) is too late. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYTerry Bly (far left) scores the opening goal after 31 minutes from a cross from Bobby Brennan, just visible through the netting, to set the Canaries on their way to victory. The challenge from United's Joe Carolan (3) is too late. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY (Image: Archant)

How times change ... especially, in football terms, when it comes to the FA Cup.

Fewer than 13,000 fans were at Carrow Road for City's cup tie against Southampton.

How different from one of the most famous games in the club's history.

Fifty eight years ago today – January 10, 1959 – 38,000 fans packed into the ground. The pitch was covered in snow, and Manchester United were in town for an FA Cup third round tie.

Eastern Daily Press: Terry Bly, centre, scored twice for the Canaries. Photos: ARCHANT LIBRARYTerry Bly, centre, scored twice for the Canaries. Photos: ARCHANT LIBRARY (Image: Archant)

It mattered little to City fans that the result was supposed to have been something of a foregone conclusion. United's Busby Babes were still evolving from the tragedy of the Munich air disaster almost a year earlier, but they were still a top side and had won their last eight First Division games while Norwich were in the old Third Division South.

On the sidelines it was Archie Macaulay pitting his wits against the legendary Matt Busby.

But the cup, certainly in those days, was still capable of throwing up a shock - and City duly obliged.

Two goals from Terry Bly and one from Errol Crossan produced one of the great results in City's history. It also produced one of the great Pink Un headlines – Bly, Bly, Babes.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich City fans parade during the cup run of 1959. Photos: ARCHANT LIBRARYNorwich City fans parade during the cup run of 1959. Photos: ARCHANT LIBRARY

Match facts

Date: January 10, 1959

Norwich City 3 (Terry Bly 32, 87, Crossan 61) Manchester United 0

Norwich: Ken Nethercott, Bryan Thurlow, Ron Ashman, Roy McCrohan, Barry Butler, Matt Crowe, Errol Crossan, Terry Allcock, Terry Bly, Jimmy Hill, Bobby Brennan.

Manager: Archie Macaulay.

Manchester United: Harry Gregg, Bill Foulkes, Joe Carolan, Fred Goodwin, Ron Cope, Wilf McGuinness, Warren Bradley, Albert Quixall, Dennis Viollet, Bobby Charlton, Albert Scanlon.

Manager: Matt Busby.