Lifestyle: Rob Butcher

Last updated : 12 November 2002 By PAUL BIGGS
Born in Norwich, Rob now resides in Wigan, a land far away from the yellow and green of Norwich. Situated in the North, Rob is surrounded by fans from Manchester United, Manchester City and the passionate Yorkshire support of Leeds United.

Come Saturday rain or shine, heaven or hell Rob sets out on his 480 mile round trip from Wigan to Carrow Road. Passionate for his club Rob owns a home season ticket and so far this season he has made it to every away game including the ‘rib breaking’ derby away at arch rivals Ipswich Town.

Within the past year Rob has only missed five league games. The bullet was bit in 1976. Rob was hooked on the sweet drug of football and the cream that is Norwich City F.C. for over 25 years Rob has endured agony and ecstasy supporting the canaries. From moments of Milk Cup glory to Play- Off agony, he still gets high on the excitement of a match day, as Rob says:"match days are still really special. The anticipation of the events in the forthcoming match. I still and always will go through my pre- match ritual of having a good fry up in a roadside café on the A17. I always look through the sports pages in the daily newspapers to see if I can find anything on Norwich or about the game. Finally when I get to Norwich I always sink a couple of pints at the Kings Arms and walk down the same hill to the ground that I have done for the past twenty seven seasons."

The passion for Norwich City F.C runs far deeper than just match day events. Rob has helped build the Northern Branch of Norwich City F.C supporters group named, The Northern Canaries. His hard work ensures that exiled Canaries can follow their team to vital away fixtures across the North of England. Since joining the Northern Canaries Rob has helped raise the membership from 18 members to well over 100. The supporters group has its own website and is also now officially recognised by the club.

Rob still wants to plough in more energy onto the supporters group. He plans to storm the Midlands, to seek out more exiled canaries, as Rob believes that "the group has found well over 100 members in the North and we intend to move into the midlands to recruit more members."

True passionate fans are very rare. Rob shows the passion that football generates. He is more than just the average fan. Rob spends his time devoted to football; he is a credit to Norwich City Football Club and to passionate football fans following their teams all over the world. His support emulates what the passion of football brings to fanatics all over the world.

www.northerncanaries.com