'Now or never' - Norwich's Wembley glory, 40 years on

Mick Channon and Ken Brown at Wembley in 1985 — Norwich forward Mick Channon celebrates victory with manager Ken Brown [Getty Images]

"I remember the song on the bus going down, It's Now Or Never by Elvis - this was our big opportunity, our big chance."

On 24 March 1985, defender Steve Bruce was a member of the Norwich City squad heading for Wembley to take on Sunderland in the League Cup final.

Bruce was to know many big occasions in his later career with Manchester United, but for him, having been plucked from the lower divisions by Norwich after seven years with Gillingham, it was one to savour.

Already a Canaries hero for heading the winning goal against East Anglian rivals Ipswich Town in the semi-final, he formed an impenetrable barrier with fellow centre-back Dave Watson.

The final didn't have the greatest winning goal as Asa Hartford's effort was deflected past his own goalkeeper by Gordon Chisholm, but the ribbons on the trophy were yellow and green when it was handed to captain Watson on what was at that time Norwich's greatest day.

They had won the same competition back in 1962, but that was a two-leg final against Rochdale, played on their own grounds - and Spotland could hardly compare with Wembley in terms of history or atmosphere.

"We just about handled the occasion better than they did. It wasn't a classic final - but for everybody that supports Norwich, though, it was," Bruce told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"We'd won a cup and it didn't matter if it had come off two deflections. That day is arguably the best they've had in their history."

Graphic displaying Norwich's starting formation in the 1985 League Cup final — How Norwich lined up in the 1985 League Cup final [BBC Sport]

'The best £75,000 you've ever spent'

Chris Woods, Dave Watson, Paul Haylock, Steve Bruce with the League Cup — Steve Bruce (right) played more than 230 games for Gillingham before signing for Norwich in the summer of 1984 [Getty Images]

Bruce had his father-in-law to thank, in part, for the move that took him to Carrow Road, with then Norwich chairman Sir Arthur South baulking at the fee they were being asked to pay by a transfer tribunal.

"He wasn't too happy having to pay £75,000, rising to £125,000, I think it was. I remember him saying 'you're going to cost a lot of bloody money, you' and my father-in-law interrupting him and telling him, 'it'll be the best £75,000 you've ever spent, mark my words," the now-Blackpool manager recalled.

It was not a straightforward passage to Wembley for Norwich - who had lost to Tottenham and Aston Villa in the 1973 and 1975 finals, both by a 1-0 scoreline.

They beat Preston 6-1 in a replay following a 3-3 draw and also needed two games to see off Aldershot 4-0 after the first ended goalless - before 3-0 and 1-0 away wins against Notts County and Grimsby Town.

They trailed 1-0 to Ipswich after the first leg of the semi-final but turned it around with a 2-0 win, with Bruce - who had been at Wembley as a 15-year-old ball boy when Newcastle met Manchester City in the 1976 final - heading the second.

"I can can still remember it as it if was yesterday. From a corner we always fancied our chances, he always put it into a certain area and it was one of those easier headers where you're running onto it, I managed to make first contact and we were 2-1 up in the last minute - a great feeling," he said.

'It was my first sight of Wembley'

Norwich supporters flocked to north London for what was to become known as the 'friendly final' because of the excellent spirit between them and their Sunderland counterparts.

"It was my parents' wedding anniversary. We left Mum at home, and Dad and I went off on a bus from the village. It was my first sight of Wembley, Dad had been 10 years previously but wouldn't take me to the Villa game," Norwich fan Lorraine Taylor told BBC Look East.

"We were playing football in front of Wembley with some Sunderland fans, it was just so friendly, I don't think it's ever been re-created, that atmosphere we had that day."

Kathy Blake was also among the Norwich contingent, travelling there and back on a special trains, although they had to take matters into their own hands to ensure everyone could catch it for the return journey home.

"They slightly miscalculated and didn't allow for the fact that if we won, people would want to stay behind and celebrate," she said.

"I always remember that the train was supposed to be going at half past six and people on the train got off because it wasn't allowed to leave if the doors were open - the only way they could make sure everybody got back on the train was to keep opening the doors."

Her memories of the day also focus on the warmth between the two sets of fans, but the match itself seem to pass by "in a flash".

She added: "At that time, there was still quite a bit of hooliganism so it stood out as something special.

"I can remember big, tough men with tattoos crying like little babies at the end (when Norwich had won) - very emotional.

"Apart from maybe the play-off final in 2015, we've had nothing like it so it still looms large in the memory as a very special day. Hopefully we'll get another one like it in my lifetime."

Beaten by Sunderland the week before

Norwich could have won the game by a wider margin if winger Mark Barham had taken one of the chances that came his way.

"I had four or five misses. They were good efforts and on another day I might have had a hat-trick but sadly I didn't score," he said.

But Barham, who had won two England caps two years earlier, was just relieved to be playing in the game.

"I'd only just come back from 18 months out with cruciates and to hear my name come up (when the team was announced) was incredible," he told BBC Look East.

"The build-up was very tense because we'd played Sunderland the week before at home and they battered us 4-1.

"But we were all jovial when we got to Wembley. The pitch was stunning and it was just fantastic to walk out and be within a theatre like that."

Barham recalls Dave Hodgson missing a clear chance for Sunderland in their first attack of the game - and there was another anxious moment when they were awarded a second-half penalty following Dennis van Wijk's handball, but Clive Walker shot wide.

"I think Chrissy Woods would have saved it whether it went inside the post or not and that summed up the whole game really. We looked like the team that was going to win the whole way through," he said.

After that, Norwich were able to see out the rest of the game, leaving just one last job to be done.

"You walk up the steps, you know the captain's going to pick the trophy up. You're tired but it didn't make any difference whatsoever, you couldn't get up there quick enough. I really can't believe it's 40 years ago," Barham added.

'His man management was fantastic'

The League Cup was the only trophy won by Norwich during Ken Brown's seven years in charge, but Bruce has no doubt about his contribution to that memorable run to Wembley.

"His man management skills were absolutely fantastic. There was never a dull moment with Ken," he said. "It is a hard job but the pair of them, him and Mel (Machin, assistant boss) were a wonderful combination. When you get beat it can make you miserable, but he was always up and ready for the challenge."

The season did not have a happy ending for Norwich, who won only three of their 13 remaining games and were relegated from the top flight.

"We celebrated too much. We were out every other night around Norfolk and that bit us, because for a team that had gone so well, it fell away," said Bruce.

He moved on to Old Trafford at the end of 1987 but Carrow Road always remains a special place.

"I never forget Gillingham where I started but Norwich was the one that above all gave me the platform to have the career I've had.

"When I first went there, I thought I'm never going to be as good as these. But you get to a certain level of fitness and confidence and all of a sudden you're up and riding, and that's the epitome of it - getting to a cup final, being man of the match, wonderful memories, and I've got nothing but affection for the whole club."

Topics

Rossi thanks Fiorentina for ‘unforgettable’ Pepito Day

Giuseppe Rossi has thanked Fiorentina, the fans and players who participated in his testimonial last week. ‘It was an unforgettable evening and I will never forget the last few days.’The 38-year-o...
Yahoo Sports - 4h
After 40 years on the run, escaped prisoner located and caught

A man who escaped a Puerto Rican prison nearly 40 years ago was taken into custody in Florida, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
ABC News - Mar. 8
Norwich in 'good place going forwards' - Duffy

Norwich City defender Shane Duffy insists the club is in a good place going forwards even if they fail to reach the Championship play-offs.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
SBK Cheltenham Free Bets Offer: Bet £10 and get £40 in Free Bets on Gold Cup Day

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival is approaching its dramatic climax, and you can get your hands on £40 in Free Bets with SBK when you join and bet £10.We’ve seen so much entertainment at this year’s...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Excitement builds for Newcastle's trip to Wembley

NUFC fans are hopeful as more than 32,000 head to London for the Carabao Cup final.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
Liverpool vs Newcastle player ratings: Mohamed Salah anonymous in Wembley defeat

Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle: Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored as Eddie Howe’s side ended their long trophy drought on a famous day at Wembley
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Carabao Cup final player ratings: Salah goes missing while local hero Burn is perfect

Newcastle United ended their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Eddie Howe reacts after leading Newcastle to first domestic cup in 70 years, first major trophy since 1969

Newcastle United have won a trophy at Wembley Stadium for the first time since 1955 after Eddie Howe led the Magpies to a 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday in the League Cup Final.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Lindsey Vonn concludes ‘impossible’ comeback at 40 with first podium since 2018

40-year-old finishes second in Sunday’s Super-G Lara Gut-Behrami clinches first place and title Lindsey Vonn concluded her comeback season at the age of 40 with a second-place finish in a World ...
The Guardian - 2d

'Now or never' - Norwich's Wembley glory, 40 years on

'The best £75,000 you've ever spent'

'It was my first sight of Wembley'

Beaten by Sunderland the week before

'His man management was fantastic'

Topics

Related

Rossi thanks Fiorentina for ‘unforgettable’ Pepito Day

After 40 years on the run, escaped prisoner located and caught

Norwich in 'good place going forwards' - Duffy

SBK Cheltenham Free Bets Offer: Bet £10 and get £40 in Free Bets on Gold Cup Day

Excitement builds for Newcastle's trip to Wembley

Liverpool vs Newcastle player ratings: Mohamed Salah anonymous in Wembley defeat

Carabao Cup final player ratings: Salah goes missing while local hero Burn is perfect

Eddie Howe reacts after leading Newcastle to first domestic cup in 70 years, first major trophy since 1969

Lindsey Vonn concludes ‘impossible’ comeback at 40 with first podium since 2018

More from Yahoo Sports

Sterling's Madison Austin named All-State second team by Illinois Media

Shedeur Sanders landing spots: Where QB could end up after Russell Wilson, Giants deal

2025 Sauk Valley baseball preview capsules

Stanford women remain unbeaten, beats stacked field in Charles Schwab at Colonial

Oregon State Guard Nate Kingz Enters Transfer Portal

More in Sports

Jimmy's back in Miami: Follow live as the Warriors visit the Heat

Follow live: Rivals Brazil, Argentina meet in World Cup qualifier

Ronaldo: Penalty miss? Knew Portugal would win

Blatter, Platini cleared in FIFA corruption case

Güler, Szoboszlai continue feud: 'This guy a joke'