Iconic Moments in Football No.75
Delia Smith has had an active role at Norwich City Football Club for many years now. She had been introduced to the club when she met her husband, who is an avid fan.
In February 2005, City were battling against relegation from the Premier League. It was their first season back in the top flight for ten years, but was looking increasingly like they would be heading straight back down to the First Division. As a director, Delia Smith was well are of the fact that the club would lose a lot of money if they went down.
In a televised home match against Manchester City, Norwich stormed into a two-goal lead after 16 minutes, only for the visitors to score twice and level the scores at the break.
Smith had seen her beloved City collapse in front of her very eyes and she was determined to do her bit to help. She went down to the edge of the pitch and took a microphone from the half-time announcer and issued a rallying cry to her fellow City fans.
“A message to the best possible supporters in the world: We need a 12th man here, where are you? Where are you? Let’s be having you! Come on!”
The whole situation was a little bit embarrassing! Some people suggested that perhaps Smith may have had a few too many drinks in the hospitality suite during the match. Others tried to defend her, saying that she was just trying her best to get the fans to cheer their boys on to victory.
Despite Smith’s best efforts, Norwich lost the game 3-2, thanks to a Robbie Fowler winner in the 90th minute. To make matters worse, The Canaries were relegated at the end of the season, not to return to the top flight for another seven seasons.
The phrase “Let’s be havin’ you!” immediately conjures up memories of Delia Smith in her Norwich scarf on the Carrow Road pitch! It was definitely one of those moments that you are glad never happened to your club!
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