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1985–86 Norwich City F.C. season

Norwich City
1985–86 season
ChairmanSir Arthur South (until 25 November)
Robert Chase (from November)
ManagerKen Brown
StadiumCarrow Road
Second Division1st
FA CupThird round
League CupFourth round
League Super CupSemi-final
Player of the YearKevin Drinkell
Top goalscorerLeague: Kevin Drinkell (22)
All: Kevin Drinkell (24)
Highest home attendance20,129 v Portsmouth
Lowest home attendance11,732 v Shrewsbury Town
Average home league attendance14,528
Biggest winNorwich City 6–1 Millwall (21 December 1985)
Biggest defeatMillwall 4–2 Norwich City (24 August 1985)

For the 1985–86 season, Norwich City F.C. competed in Football League Division Two, following their relegation from Division One the previous season. They also completed in the FA Cup and Milk Cup as well as the first, and ultimately only, staging of the Screen Sport Super Cup.

Overview

The previous season saw Norwich relegated back to the Second Division after three seasons in the top flight, a loss only slightly mitigated by them winning the Milk Cup.[1] Norwich had a slow start to the season that saw them lose their first three away games, but things steadily improved and, after losing to Wimbledon in October, they would go unbeaten in the league for eighteen games, until they played Wimbledon again in March. In December, they first reached third place, and thus a promotion spot, with a 3–0 win over Blackburn Rovers, then overtook Portsmouth into first place with a 3–1 win over Oldham Athletic in the next game. They would remain top for the remainder of the season, achieving promotion in April with a 2–0 win at Bradford City and guaranteeing top spot with a 1–1 draw against Stoke City in the next game. They would finish a successful league campaign with a 4–0 win at home to Leeds United.[2] They would remain in the top flight for the next nine seasons, still a club record.

Behind the scenes, in November, chairman Sir Arthur South received a challenge from board member Jimmy Jones, who proposed a vote of no confidence over building contracts being awarded to companies that South had an interest in. Instead, South and the board resigned, and a new board was installed headed by Robert Chase, with Jones as vice-chairman.[3] Chase would remain in charge of the club until 1996.

Norwich had early exits from both main cup competitions, being knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool, who beat them 5–0 in the third round, while their defence of the Milk Cup ended in the fourth round with defeat to eventual winners Oxford United. Norwich had initially qualified for the UEFA Cup as Milk Cup winners but the Heysel stadium disaster led to English club first being withdrawn from European competition by the FA and then banned indefinitely. As compensation, Norwich and the other affected teams were invited to compete in the Screen Sport Super Cup. Norwich qualified from Group 1 with a win and defeat against Everton and two draws against Manchester United, before losing a two-legged semi-final to Liverpool. The second leg, played on 6 May, would be their last game of the season.

Squad

Squad at the end of season (6 May 1986)[4]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  ENG Chris Woods
— GK  ENG Graham Benstead
— GK  ENG Harvey Lim
— DF  ENG Ian Culverhouse
— DF  NED Dennis van Wijk
— DF  ENG Steve Bruce
— DF  ENG Dave Watson (captain)
— DF  ENG Paul Haylock
— DF  ENG Tony Spearing
— DF  ENG Kenny Brown
— DF  ENG Phil Chapple
— MF  ENG Mike Phelan
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Peter Mendham
— MF  WAL David Williams (vice-captain)
— MF  ENG Mark Barham
— MF  ENG Garry Brooke
— MF  ENG Dale Gordon
— MF  ENG Jeremy Goss
— MF  ENG Ruel Fox
— FW  ENG Kevin Drinkell
— FW  ENG Wayne Biggins
— FW  ENG John Deehan
— FW  ENG Robert Rosario
— FW  ENG Paul Clayton

Transfers

In

Date Pos Name From Fee Reference
24 May 1985 MF Garry Brooke Tottenham Hotspur Unknown [5]
30 May 1985 MF Mike Phelan Burnley Unknown [6]
30 May 1985 MF David Williams Bristol Rovers Unknown [7]
14 June 1985 FW Kevin Drinkell Grimsby Town Unknown [8]
7 October 1985 DF Ian Culverhouse Tottenham Hotspur Unknown [9]
14 October 1985 FW Wayne Biggins Burnley Unknown [10]

Out

Date Pos Name To Fee Reference
16 July 1985 DF Greg Downs Coventry City £40,000 [8][11]
16 July 1985 FW Gary Rowell Middlesbrough £25,000 [12][13]
19 July 1985 FW Mark Farrington Cardiff City Unknown [14]
25 July 1985 MF Asa Hartford Bolton Wanderers Free [15][16]
13 August 1985 MF Mike Channon Portsmouth Unknown [17]
15 August 1985 FW David Fairclough Oldham Athletic Unknown [18]
25 November 1985 MF John Devine Stoke City Unknown [19]
10 February 1986 MF Louie Donowa Real Deportivo de La Coruña Unknown [8]
20 March 1986 FW Jon Rigby Aldershot Unknown [20]

Loans out

Date Pos Name To Until Reference
13 December 1985 FW Robert Rosario Wolverhampton Wanderers End of season [12]
23 December 1985 MF Louie Donowa Stoke City 31 January 1985 [8]

Final table

Main article: 1985–86 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Norwich City (C, P) 42 25 9 8 84 37 +47 84 Promotion to the First Division
2 Charlton Athletic (P) 42 22 11 9 78 45 +33 77
3 Wimbledon (P) 42 21 13 8 58 37 +21 76
4 Portsmouth 42 22 7 13 69 41 +28 73
5 Crystal Palace 42 19 9 14 57 52 +5 66
Source: [21]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

Results

Division Two

17 August 1985 (1985-08-17) 1 Norwich City 1–0 Oldham Athletic Norwich
Mendham 26' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,508
Referee: J. Bray
20 August 1985 (1985-08-20) 2 Blackburn Rovers 2–1 Norwich City Blackburn
Fazackerley 63' (pen.)
Garner 87'		 Bruce 30' Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 6,567
Referee: M. Scott
24 August 1985 (1985-08-24) 3 Millwall 4–2 Norwich City London
Kinsella 5'
Lovell 47' (pen.)
Wilson 68'
Hinshelwood 76'		 Brooke 22'
Deehan 90' (pen.)		 Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 7,100
Referee: A. Robinson
26 August 1985 (1985-08-26) 4 Norwich City 1–1 Barnsley Norwich
Bruce 90' Owen 55' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,510
Referee: E. Scales
31 August 1985 (1985-08-31) 5 Portsmouth 2–0 Norwich City Portsmouth
Morgan 24' 82' Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 15,504
Referee: D. Reeves
7 September 1985 (1985-09-07) 6 Norwich City 4–0 Sheffield United Norwich
Bruce 41'
Drinkell 61' 78'
Haylock 89'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,899
Referee: R. Lewis
14 September 1985 (1985-09-14) 7 Middlesbrough 1–1 Norwich City Middlesbrough
Drinkell 60' Rowell 1' (pen.) Stadium: Ayresome Park
Attendance: 5,475
Referee: J. McAuley
18 September 1985 (1985-09-18) 8 Norwich City 4–3 Crystal Palace Norwich
Watson 24'
Drinkell 44'
Phelan 55'
Barham 78'		 Gray 21' 26' (pen.)
Droy 90'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,475
Referee: J. Ball
21 September 1985 (1985-09-21) 9 Huddersfield Town 0–0 Norwich City Huddersfield
Stadium: Leeds Road
Attendance: 7,225
Referee: J. Worrall
28 September 1985 (1985-09-28) 10 Norwich City 2–0 Hull City Norwich
Rosario 9'
Mendham 61'		 Skipper Red card 78' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,639
Referee: M. Cotton
5 October 1985 (1985-10-05) 11 Norwich City 1–2 Wimbledon Norwich
Drinkell 5' Martin 16' (pen.)
Cork 19'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,707
Referee: H. Taylor
12 October 1985 (1985-10-12) 12 Carlisle United 0–4 Norwich City Carlisle
Rosario 20'
Phelan 54'
Drinkell 88'
Brooke 90'		 Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 2,907
Referee: G. Courtney
19 October 1985 (1985-10-19) 13 Norwich City 3–1 Shrewsbury Town Norwich
Mendham 28'
Drinkell 35'
Barham 83'		 van Wijk 27' (o.g.)
Pearson Red card 78'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 11,732
Referee: N. Butler
26 October 1985 (1985-10-26) 14 Sunderland 0–2 Norwich City Sunderland
Williams 61'
Mendham 87'		 Stadium: Roker Park
Attendance: 17,908
Referee: R. Banks
2 November 1985 (1985-11-02) 15 Brighton and Hove Albion 1–1 Norwich City Hove
Saunders 54' Biggins 63' Stadium: Goldstone Ground
Attendance: 10,423
Referee: D. Axcell
9 November 1985 (1985-11-09) 16 Norwich City 0–0 Bradford City Norwich
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,939
Referee: K. Miller
16 November 1985 (1985-11-16) 17 Stoke City 1–1 Norwich City Stoke-on-Trent
Bertschin 53' (pen.) Drinkell 70' Stadium: Victoria Ground
Attendance: 6,469
Referee: D. Ashby
23 November 1985 (1985-11-23) 18 Norwich City 3–2 Grimsby Town Norwich
Watson 43'
Biggins 51'
Lyons 54' (o.g.)		 Culverhouse 69' (o.g.)
Emson 84'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,108
Referee: C. Downey
30 November 1985 (1985-11-30) 19 Leeds United 0–2 Norwich City Leeds
Drinkell 38'
Bruce 57'		 Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 11,480
Referee: C. Thrushell
7 December 1985 (1985-12-07) 20 Norwich City 2–0 Blackburn Rovers Norwich
Bruce 22'
Van Wijk 29'
Barham 54'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,820
Referee: M. Dimblebee
14 December 1985 (1985-12-14) 21 Oldham Athletic 1–3 Norwich City Oldham
Phelan 75' (o.g.) Drinkell 51'
Barlow 69' (o.g.)
Barham 84'		 Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 3,949
Referee: R. Nixon
21 December 1985 (1985-12-21) 22 Norwich City 6–1 Millwall Norwich
Mendham 4'
Williams 9' 33'
Barham 20'
Drinkell 58'
Phelan 77'		 Sheringham 83' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,349
Referee: V. Callow
26 December 1985 (1985-12-26) 23 Norwich City 3–1 Charlton Athletic Norwich
Drinkell 67' 84'
Deehan 88'		 Flanagan 64' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 17,984
Referee: J. Ball
1 January 1986 (1986-01-01) 24 Fulham 0–1 Norwich City London
Drinkell 90' Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 7,463
Referee: M. James
11 January 1986 (1986-01-11) 25 Norwich City 2–0 Middlesbrough Norwich
Williams 44' (pen.)
Bruce 84'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,730
Referee: I. Hemley
18 January 1986 (1986-01-18) 26 Norwich City 2–0 Portsmouth Norwich
Barham 77'
Drinkell 86'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 20,129
Referee: N. Butler
25 January 1986 (1986-01-25) 27 Crystal Palace 1–2 Norwich City London
Barber 46' Mendham 13'
Biggins 38'		 Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 8,369
Referee: R. Milford
1 February 1986 (1986-02-01) 28 Barnsley 2–2 Norwich City Barnsley
Hirst 26'
Thomas 86'		 Deehan 39'
Mendham 43'		 Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 5,608
Referee: I. Hendrick
8 February 1986 (1986-02-08) 29 Shrewsbury Town 0–3 Norwich City Shrewsbury
Drinkell 3' 64'
Barham 20'		 Stadium: Gay Meadow
Attendance: 5,157
Referee: J. Worrall
8 March 1986 (1986-03-08) 30 Wimbledon 2–1 Norwich City London
Evans 61'
Cork 64'		 Barham 22' Stadium: Plough Lane
Attendance: 5,827
Referee: G. Ashby
12 March 1986 (1986-03-12) 31 Norwich City 4–1 Huddersfield Town Norwich
Drinkell 4'
Biggins 60' 85'
Bruce 72'		 Curran 38' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,772
Referee: D. Hedges
15 March 1986 (1986-03-15) 32 Norwich City 2–1 Carlisle United Norwich
Williams 32' (pen.) 55' McGarvey 66' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 13,852
Referee: H. Taylor
22 March 1986 (1986-03-22) 33 Sheffield United 2–5 Norwich City Sheffield
Edwards 34' 80' Smith 6' (o.g.)
Drinkell 41'
Mendham 65'
Barham 89'
Biggins 90'		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 11,894
Referee: K. Redfern
29 March 1986 (1986-03-29) 34 Norwich City 2–1 Fulham Norwich
Barham 22'
Deehan 40'		 Coney 30' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 17,320
Referee: T. Holbrook
31 March 1986 (1986-03-31) 35 Charlton Athletic 1–0 Norwich City London
Pearson 49' Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 8,458
Referee: D. Axcell
5 April 1986 (1986-04-05) 36 Norwich City 3–0 Brighton and Hove Albion Norwich
Connor 50' (o.g.)
Drinkell 71'
Williams 81' (pen.)		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 15,155
Referee: K. Baker
9 April 1986 (1986-04-09) 37 Norwich City 0–0 Sunderland Norwich
Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 17,752
Referee: B. Hill
12 April 1986 (1986-04-12) 38 Bradford City 0–2 Norwich City Bradford
Drinkell 1'
Biggins 46'		 Stadium: Odsal Stadium
Attendance: 7,190
Referee: T. Fitzharris
19 April 1986 (1986-04-19) 39 Norwich City 1–1 Stoke City Norwich
Gordon 75' Bertschin 65' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 17,757
Referee: M. Scott
26 April 1986 (1986-04-26) 40 Grimsby Town 1–0 Norwich City Cleethorpes
Hobson 54' Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 8,090
Referee: N. Midgley
29 April 1986 (1986-04-29) 41 Hull City 1–0 Norwich City Hull
Williams 80' Stadium: Boothferry Park
Attendance: 6,146
Referee: D. Allison
3 May 1986 (1986-05-03) 42 Norwich City 4–0 Leeds United Norwich
Ormsby 33' (o.g.)
Drinkell 59'
Bruce 66'
Williams 79'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 17,942
Referee: K. Millar

FA Cup

4 January 1986 (1986-01-04) Third Round Liverpool 5–0 Norwich City Liverpool
MacDonald 23'
Walsh 37'
McMahon 73'
Whelan 78'
Wark 81'		 Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 29,082
Referee: D. Hutchinson

Milk Cup

30 September 1985 (1985-09-30) Second Round, First Leg Preston North End 1–1 Norwich City Preston
Brazil 20' (pen.) Bruce 45' Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 4,330
Referee: G. Tyson
9 October 1985 (1985-10-09) Second Round, Second Leg Norwich City 2–1 Preston North End Norwich
Brooke 64'
Rosario 87'		 Brazil 5' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 11,537
Referee: G. Napthine
29 October 1985 (1985-10-29) Third Round Luton Town 0–2 Norwich City Luton
Mendham 28'
Bruce 34'		 Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Attendance: 8,202
Referee: B. Hill
20 November 1985 (1985-11-20) Fourth Round Oxford United 3–1 Norwich City Oxford
Aldridge 20'
Thomas 51'
Phillips 63'		 Drinkell 15' Stadium: Manor Ground
Attendance: 7,851
Referee: A. Robinson

Screen Sport Super Cup

2 October 1985 (1985-10-02) Group 1 Everton 1–0 Norwich City Liverpool
Lineker 70' Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 10,329
Referee: J. Hough
23 October 1985 (1985-10-23) Group 1 Norwich City 1–0 Everton Norwich
Mendham 61' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 12,196
Referee: T. Ward
6 November 1985 (1985-11-06) Group 1 Manchester United 1–1 Norwich City Manchester
Whiteside 54' (pen.) Biggins 6' Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 20,130
Referee: T. Mills
11 December 1985 (1985-12-11) Group 1 Norwich City 1–1 Manchester United Norwich
Williams 9' C. Gibson 71' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 15,449
Referee: D. Vickers
5 February 1986 (1986-02-05) Semi-Final, First Leg Norwich City 1–1 Liverpool Norwich
Drinkell 49' Dalglish 79' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 15,313
Referee: J. Moules
6 May 1986 (1986-05-06) Semi-Final, Second Leg Liverpool 3–1 Norwich City Liverpool
MacDonald 56'
Molby 72' (pen.)
Johnston 78'		 Brooke 2' Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 26,696
Referee: A. Seville

Appearances

Pos Player League FA Cup Milk Cup Screen Sport Super Cup Total
Starts Sub Goals Starts Sub Goals Starts Sub Goals Starts Sub Goals Starts Subs Goals
Goalkeepers
GK Chris Woods 42 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 53 0 0
Defenders
RB Ian Culverhouse 30 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 39 0 0
LB Dennis van Wijk 27 2 1 1 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 35 2 1
CB Steve Bruce 42 0 8 1 0 0 4 0 2 6 0 0 53 0 10
CB Dave Watson 42 0 3 1 0 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 51 0 3
RB Paul Haylock 12 0 1 – – – 1 0 0 1 1 0 14 1 1
LB Tony Spearing 7 1 0 – – – 1 0 0 1 0 0 9 1 0
Midfielders
CM Mike Phelan 42 0 3 1 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 53 0 3
AM Peter Mendham 35 0 8 1 0 0 4 0 1 5 0 1 45 0 10
RW Mark Barham 35 0 9 1 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 45 0 9
LW David Williams 37 2 8 1 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 1 47 2 9
AM Garry Brooke 8 5 2 – – – 1 1 1 1 2 1 10 8 4
AM Dale Gordon 3 3 1 – – – – – – 0 1 0 3 4 1
AM Louie Donowa 0 2 0 – – – – – – – – – 0 2 0
Forwards
ST Kevin Drinkell 41 0 22 1 0 0 4 0 1 6 0 1 43 0 24
ST Wayne Biggins 28 0 7 1 0 0 – – – 4 0 1 33 0 8
ST John Deehan 22 4 4 0 1 0 – – – 2 0 0 24 5 4
ST Robert Rosario 8 0 2 – – – 4 0 1 1 0 0 13 0 3
ST Paul Clayton 1 0 0 – – – – – – 1 0 0 2 0 0

Goalscorers

Rank Position Player Division Two FA Cup Milk Cup Screen Sport Super Cup Total
1 ST Kevin Drinkell 22 0 1 1 24
2 CB Steve Bruce 8 0 2 0 10
CM Peter Mendham 8 0 1 1 10
3 RW Mark Barham 9 0 0 0 9
LW David Williams 8 0 0 1 9
4 ST Wayne Biggins 7 0 0 1 8
5 ST/LB John Deehan 4 0 0 0 4
LW Garry Brooke 2 0 1 1 4
6 CM Mike Phelan 3 0 0 0 3
CB Dave Watson 3 0 0 0 3
ST Robert Rosario 2 0 1 0 3
7 RW Dale Gordon 1 0 0 0 1
LB Dennis van Wijk 1 0 0 0 1
RB Paul Haylock 1 0 0 0 1
Own goals 5 0 0 0 5

References

  1. ^ "Norwich City". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Norwich City match record: 1986". 11v11. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  3. ^ Canary Citizens p.175
  4. ^ "Norwich CITY squad 1985/86". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  5. ^ Canary Citizens p.224
  6. ^ Canary Citizens p.309
  7. ^ Canary Citizens p.347
  8. ^ a b c d Canary Citizens p.246
  9. ^ Canary Citizens p.339
  10. ^ Canary Citizens p.218
  11. ^ 1987 Club Directory p.161
  12. ^ a b Canary Citizens p.390
  13. ^ 1987 Club Directory p.311
  14. ^ Canary Citizens p.252
  15. ^ Canary Citizens p.266
  16. ^ 1987 Club Directory p.59
  17. ^ Canary Citizens p.231
  18. ^ Canary Citizens p.251
  19. ^ Canarty Citizens p.244
  20. ^ Canary Citizens p.317
  21. ^ "League Division Two end of season table for 1985-86 season". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  22. ^ Norwich City: The Modern Era p.202-205
  23. ^ a b Norwich City: The Modern Era p.206
  24. ^ a b c 1987 Club Directory p.338–339
  25. ^ Canary Citizens p.429

Bibliography

  • Canary Citizens Centenary Edition: Authors Mike Davage, John Eastwood and Kevan Platt ISBN 0711720207
  • The Football League Club Directory 1987: Editor Tony Williams ISBN 1-869833-01-5
  • Norwich City: The Modern Era: Author Rob Hadgraft ISBN 978-1-905328-82-6
  • News of the World Football Annual 1986-87: Editors Bill Bateson and Albert Sewell ISBN 0 85543 076 1
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