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Norwich City

2009–10 season
Chairman	Alan Bowkett
Manager	Bryan Gunn until 14 August Paul Lambert from 19 August
Stadium	Carrow Road
League One	1st – promoted to The Championship
FA Cup	Second round
League Cup	Second round
Football League Trophy	Area semi-finals
Top goalscorer	League: Grant Holt (24) All: Grant Holt (30)
Highest home attendance	25,506 (vs. Hartlepool United, 30 January)
Lowest home attendance	23,041 (vs. Walsall, 5 September)
Average home league attendance	24,756
Home colours Away colours
← 2008–092010–11 →

The 2009–10 season was the 108th season in the history of Norwich City. It was the club's first season in Football League One (third tier of the English football pyramid) for 49 years, following relegation from The Championship in 2008–09. However, they gained promotion back to the second tier as league champions with a club record total of 95 points, finishing nine points ahead of runners-up Leeds United. This article shows statistics and lists all matches played by the club during the season.

Board and staff members

Board members

Position	Staff
Chairman	Alan Bowkett
Joint Majority Shareholder	Delia Smith
Joint Majority Shareholder	Michael Wynn-Jones
Director	Michael Foulger
Director	Stephan Phillips
Chief Executive	David McNally

Last updated: 2 July 2009
Source:  Norwich City FC

Coaching staff

Position	Staff
Manager	Paul Lambert
Assistant manager	Ian Culverhouse
First team coach Reserve team manager	Ian Crook
Head of football operations	Gary Karsa
Goalkeeping coach	Paul Crichton
Head of strength and conditioning	Alan Pearson
Sports Scientist	Vacant
Academy manager	Ricky Martin
Under-14s coach	Neil Adams
Performance analyst	Liam Weeks
Physiotherapist	Simon Spencer
Head of player recruitment	Vacant
Club doctor	Dr Peter Harvey
Chief scout	Vacant

Last updated: 19 August 2009
Source:  Norwich City FC

Players

First team squad

Squad at end of season

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 3 DF  ENG Adam Drury 4 MF  ENG Matthew Gill 5 DF  ENG Michael Nelson 6 DF  SCO Russell Martin 7 MF  WAL Owain Tudur Jones 8 MF  SCO Stephen Hughes 9 FW  ENG Grant Holt (captain) 10 FW  ENG Jamie Cureton 11 FW  IRL Stephen Elliott (on loan from Preston North End) 12 DF  IRL Gary Doherty (vice-captain) 13 GK  ENG Declan Rudd 14 MF  IRL Wes Hoolahan 15 MF  IRL Michael Spillane 16 FW  SCO Chris Martin 17 MF  ENG Tom Adeyemi 18 MF  NIR Paul McVeigh 19 MF  SCO Simon Lappin 20 MF  ENG Darel Russell

No. Pos. Nation Player 21 GK  ENG Fraser Forster (on loan from Newcastle United) 22 DF  WAL Rhoys Wiggins 23 DF  ENG Michael Rose (on loan from Stockport County) 24 MF  ENG Anthony McNamee 25 FW  ENG Luke Daley 26 DF  WAL David Stephens 27 FW  ENG Cody McDonald 28 DF  ENG Sam Habergham 29 FW  IRL Danny Kelly 30 MF  ENG Korey Smith 31 DF  USA Zak Whitbread 32 FW  ENG Oli Johnson 33 DF  DEN Jens Berthel Askou 34 GK  ENG Jed Steer 36 MF  ENG Damon Lathrope 37 DF  ENG George Francomb 38 MF  WAL Josh Dawkin

Left club during season

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 1 GK  AUS Michael Theoklitos (released) 2 DF  ENG Jon Otsemobor (to Southampton) 6 DF  SRB Dejan Stefanović (released) 10 FW  ENG Jamie Cureton (on loan to Shrewsbury Town) 11 MF  ENG Simon Whaley (to Chesterfield) 22 DF  WAL Rhoys Wiggins (on loan to Bournemouth)

No. Pos. Nation Player 23 DF  DEN Dario Đumić (to Brøndby) 33 FW  SCO Kris Renton (on loan to Brechin City) 31 GK  ENG Ben Alnwick (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur) 32 FW  SRB Goran Marić (to Real Unión) 36 MF  ENG Damon Lathrope (on loan to Bishop's Stortford)

Transfers

In

• Total spending: ~ £650,000

Out

• Total income: ~ £1,150,000

Loans in

Loans out

Competitions

  Win   Draw   Loss

Pre-season

Note: this section relates to first team friendlies only.

11 July 2009	Dartford	2–7	Norwich City	Dartford, Kent
15:00 BST	Noble 9' White 68'	Report	Nelson 3' Neilson 38' Doherty 43' C. Martin 55', 66' Cureton 76', 80'	Stadium: Princes Park Attendance: 1,910 Referee: Andy D'Urso

14 July 2009	Raith Rovers	0–1	Norwich City	Kirkcaldy, Scotland
19:45 BST		Report	McVeigh 60'	Stadium: Stark's Park Attendance: 1,135 Referee: Stephen Finnie

16 July 2009	St Johnstone	0–1	Norwich City	St Andrews, Scotland
14:00 BST		Report	Marić 28'	Stadium: University of St Andrews Attendance: 0 Referee: Kevin Graham

18 July 2009	Airdrie United	2–3	Norwich City	Airdrie, Scotland
15:00 BST	McLaughlin 23' (pen.) Keegan 74'	Report	Hoolahan 13' Marić 33' Askou 41'	Stadium: Excelsior Stadium Attendance: Unknown Referee: Eddie Smith

25 July 2009	Norwich City	1–1	Manchester United XI	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	Adeyemi 21'	Report	De Laet 85'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 13,381 Referee: Keith Hill

28 July 2009	Crystal Palace	0–1	Norwich City	Selhurst, London
19:45 BST		Report	Whaley 62'	Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 2,216 Referee: David Phillips

1 August 2009	Norwich City	3–2	Wigan Athletic	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	C. Martin 36', 57' Whaley 76'	Report	N'Zogbia 9' Cho 49'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 8,927 Referee: Kevin Wright

League

August

8 August 2009	Norwich City	1–7	Colchester United	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	McDonald 72'	Report	Lisbie 10', 38' Platt 13', 19' Fox 22' Perkins 76' Vernon 90'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,217 Referee: Rob Shoebridge

15 August 2009	Exeter City	1–1	Norwich City	Exeter, Devon
15:00 BST	Logan 60'	Report	Askou 52'	Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 6,357 Referee: Anthony Bates

18 August 2009	Brentford	2–1	Norwich City	Brentford, London
19:45 BST	Dickson 51' Hunt 71'	Report	Tudur Jones 90'	Stadium: Griffin Park Attendance: 7,395 Referee: Graham Scott

22 August 2009	Norwich City	5–2	Wycombe Wanderers	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	Holt 16', 71' Smith 25' Otsemobor 35' Askou 49'	Report	Pittman 39' Harrold 46'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 23,428 Referee: Jon Moss

29 August 2009	Hartlepool United	0–2	Norwich City	Hartlepool, County Durham
15:00 BST		Report	Nelson 27' Hughes 64'	Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 4,470 Referee: Scott Mathieson

Norwich had high expectations after a good pre-season campaign, however a disastrous opening game of the season saw City suffer a record-breaking home defeat, losing 7–1 to Colchester United. Although the Canaries then went on to win 4–0 at Yeovil in the League Cup, Bryan Gunn was sacked and Paul Lambert - the man who had masterminded Colchester's victory against Norwich a few days previously - would be named as his successor, following a 1–1 draw away at Exeter City. Despite losing to Brentford, with the new manager sat in the stands, Lambert's first game in the dug-out saw City beat Wycombe 5–2 at Carrow Road before going on to win their first away league game of the season at Hartlepool (either side of a 1–4 home defeat to Premier League Sunderland in the League Cup), with Canaries fans starting to see signs of a recovery.

September

14 September 2009	Milton Keynes Dons	2–1	Norwich City	Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
19:45 BST	Puncheon 57' Leven 77' (pen.)	Report	C. Martin 1'	Stadium: Stadium:mk Attendance: 10,354 Referee: Roger East

19 September 2009	Norwich City	2–2	Charlton Athletic	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	Hoolahan 44' Holt 90'	Report	Burton 18' Shelvey 40'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,018 Referee: Steve Tanner

26 September 2009	Gillingham	1–1	Norwich City	Gillingham, Kent
15:00 BST	Jackson 36' (pen.)	Report	Forster  34' Russell 90'	Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 7,550 Referee: Paul Taylor

29 September 2009	Norwich City	4–0	Leyton Orient	Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 BST	C. Martin 75' Holt 78' Spillane 81' Cureton 90'	Report	Melligan  53'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 23,981 Referee: Karl Evans

After putting together an encouraging run at the end of August, September proved to be a more frustrating month for City. Starting off with a goalless draw at home to Walsall, Norwich followed that up with a 2–1 away defeat to MK Dons thanks to a dubious penalty awarded to the home side. Second-placed Charlton were next up at Carrow Road, and they quickly took control with an early 2–0 lead before Wes Hoolahan, recalled to the team, scored just before half time and eventually Grant Holt grabbed a last-minute equaliser to salvage a point. The Canaries then travelled to Gillingham the following week, where they found themselves both a goal down and a man down at halftime after goalkeeper Frazer Forster was sent off. But for the second game in succession, City showed fight and determination and once again grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser, this time through Darel Russell. Viewed by some as a turning point, Norwich then eased past Leyton Orient - winning 4–0 at Carrow Road - in the final game of September.

October

3 October 2009	Norwich City	5–1	Bristol Rovers	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	C. Martin 9' Hoolahan 31' (pen.) Holt 33', 40' Cureton 90'	Report	Hughes 26' (pen.)	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,117 Referee: Andy Hall

10 October 2009	Carlisle United	0–1	Norwich City	Carlisle, Cumbria
15:00 BST		Report	Hoolahan 42'	Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 6,825 Referee: Dave Foster

19 October 2009	Leeds United	2–1	Norwich City	Leeds, West Yorkshire
19:45 BST	Johnson 15' Beckford 90'	Report	Holt 38'	Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 19,912 Referee: Lee Mason

24 October 2009	Norwich City	1–0	Swindon Town	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	C. Martin 32'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,959 Referee: Grant Hegley

31 October 2009	Stockport County	1–3	Norwich City	Stockport, Greater Manchester
15:00 GMT	Thompson 82'	Report	Holt 16', 90' Hoolahan 69' (pen.)	Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 5,218 Referee: Andy Woolmer

October proved to be the month when Norwich really started climbing up the table. Days after their 4–0 win over Leyton Orient City followed it by a 5–1 win over Bristol Rovers before grabbing a hard-fought 1–0 win away at Carlisle courtesy of a Wes Hoolahan goal. 3 wins on the trot and 10 goals scored meant Norwich were now in a play off place. Next up for Norwich was top of the league Leeds who already looked to be running away with the league. Some would argue City were the better side in this game and City looked to be heading for a point, however Frazer Forster's miskick meant Leeds won the game with virtually the last kick of the game. However City went on to win their next two games of October beating play off chasing Swindon at Carrow Road 1–0 and then a 3–1 away win at Stockport. This meant five wins out of 6 in October and Norwich were only 4 points off second placed Charlton

November

14 November 2009	Norwich City	2–0	Tranmere Rovers	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	Hoolahan 60' (pen.) Doherty 80'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,025 Referee: Darren Deadman

21 November 2009	Southampton	2–2	Norwich City	Southampton, Hampshire
15:00 GMT	Lallana 11' Connolly 65'	Report	Hoolahan 54' Hughes 75'	Stadium: St Mary's Stadium Attendance: 21,362 Referee: Andy Penn

24 November 2009	Norwich City	4–1	Brighton & Hove Albion	Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 GMT	Holt 3' Hoolahan 22' Elphick 69' (o.g.) C. Martin 82'	Report	Tunnicliffe 61'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,617 Referee: Keith Hill

City only had three league games in November due to cup commitments and they went through the month unbeaten. They grabbed a 2–0 win over struggling Tranmere before drawing 2–2 away at improving Southampton. They followed this up with a 4–1 win over Brighton at home. Grant Holt, Chris Martin and Wes Hoolahan all scored and all three were beginning to rack up the goals for Norwich

December

1 December 2009	Southend United	0–3	Norwich City	Southend-on-Sea, Essex
19:45 GMT		Report	Holt 68', 90' (pen.) Smith 77'	Stadium: Roots Hall Attendance: 8,732 Referee: Phil Crossley

5 December 2009	Norwich City	2–0	Oldham Athletic	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	Holt 21' Hoolahan 32'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,404 Referee: David Phillips

12 December 2009	Yeovil Town	3–3	Norwich City	Yeovil, Somerset
15:00 GMT	Bowditch 21' MacDonald 67' Obika 90'	Report	C. Martin 60' Doherty 65', 90'	Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 4,964 Referee: Craig Pawson

19 December 2009	Norwich City	3–0	Huddersfield Town	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	Hoolahan 57' C. Martin 74' Doherty 79'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,004 Referee: Chris Sarginson

26 December 2009	Norwich City	2–0	Millwall	Norwich, Norfolk
12:45 GMT	Hoolahan 28' Holt 68'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,242 Referee: Graham Salisbury

For the second month in succession, Norwich went unbeaten and by the end of December had begun to really put pressure on the top 2. First up was a 3–0 away win at Southend - a ground the Canaries hadn't won at for 57 years. Following a goalless first half, the visitors turned on the style in the second half with a double from talismanic striker Grant Holt and another from academy-product Korey Smith. This was followed up with a routine 2–0 home win over Oldham, before what proved to be one of City's most exciting games of the season away at Yeovil. The home side took the lead in the first half through ex-Ipswich striker Dean Bowditch, before Norwich came back in the second half with goals from Chris Martin and Gary Doherty giving the Canaries a 2–1 lead. However, Yeovil quickly equalised and then looked to have won it after a 90th-minute goal, before a Russell Martin shot deflected off Gary Doherty in injury-time to ensure a share of the spoils. Two home matches against fellow promotion chasers came next, with Huddersfield Town the first to be dispatched – being defeated 3–0 – before a 2–0 Boxing Day success over Millwall left Norwich just 2 points shy of second-placed Charlton.

January

2 January 2010	Wycombe Wanderers	0–1	Norwich City	High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
15:00 GMT		Report	Smith 77'	Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 7,171 Referee: Pat Miller

9 January 2010	Norwich City	3–1	Exeter City	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	Holt 8', 82' C. Martin 77'	Report	Stewart 81'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,955 Referee: Darren Deadman

16 January 2010	Colchester United	0–5	Norwich City	Colchester, Essex
15:00 GMT	Henderson  90'	Report	C. Martin 16', 45' Doherty 49' Johnson 81' Holt 90'	Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 10,064 Referee: Mike Dean

23 January 2010	Norwich City	1–0	Brentford	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	Holt  41' C. Martin 77'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,979 Referee: Steve Rushton

26 January 2010	Walsall	1–2	Norwich City	Walsall, West Midlands
19:45 GMT	Deeney 35'	Report	C. Martin 77' McDonald 85'	Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,022 Referee: Mark Haywood

30 January 2010	Norwich City	2–1	Hartlepool United	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	McDonald 27' Rose 32'	Report	Austin 26'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,506 Referee: Paul Taylor

January proved to be a pivotal month for Norwich and they started it with a 1–0 win away at struggling Wycombe. Although the Canaries dominated the game they failed to make the breakthrough, and indeed were living dangerously at times with the home side coming close to taking the lead but for the width of the post. But Korey Smith eventually struck the winner in the 79th minute to send Norwich second in the league and into the automatic places for the first time this season. City followed this up with a 3–1 win at home to Exeter, which meant that they went into arguably their biggest game of the season so far - the return fixture against Colchester (with whom there had been considerable bad feeling brewing since Lambert's departure to Carrow Road) - in solid form. After the 7–1 drubbing on the opening day of the season and Paul Lambert's return to Colchester, it had all the makings of a classic. Ultimately though, the match merely served as a way for Norwich to exact fitting revenge, thrashing their hosts 5–0 on an extremely waterlogged pitch. A Chris Martin double put City 2–0 up at half-time before Gary Doherty, Grant Holt and Oli Johnson made it 5–0, with Wes Hoolahan's missed penalty proving not to be costly, whilst Colchester finished the match with 10 men thanks to Ian Henderson's sending off against his former side. On top of handing out a convincing defeat in a local derby, Norwich had now also closed the gap to league-leaders Leeds, and due to the latter's cup commitments, meant that City would usurp Leeds with a win over Brentford in their next match. That task was made more difficult after Grant Holt's sending off in the first half, but they still managed to see out a 1–0 win thanks to a Chris Martin goal. The Canaries now sat above Leeds on goal difference, albeit having played two games more. Another late come-from-behind win at Walsall in their next game, coupled with Leeds slipping to defeat, saw Norwich consolidate their position at the top of the table, extending their lead to three points. City ended the month with a 2–1 win over Hartlepool at Carrow Road, in a match that would see them record their highest attendance of the season, giving them a perfect record of 6 wins from 6 games in January.

February

6 February 2010	Millwall	2–1	Norwich City	Bermondsey, London
15:00 GMT	Craig 25' Harris 51'	Report	C. Martin 4'	Stadium: The Den Attendance: 14,371 Referee: Grant Hegley

13 February 2010	Brighton & Hove Albion	1–2	Norwich City	Brighton, East Sussex
15:00 GMT	Bennett 21'	Report	Holt 80' Doherty 84'	Stadium: Withdean Stadium Attendance: 7,258 Referee: Dean Whitestone

20 February 2010	Norwich City	0–2	Southampton	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	Russell  64'	Report	Barnard 33', 77'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,103 Referee: Russell Booth

23 February 2010	Norwich City	2–1	Southend United	Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 GMT	Johnson 78', 90'	Report	Vernon 45'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,824 Referee: Mick Russell

27 February 2010	Oldham Athletic	0–1	Norwich City	Oldham, Greater Manchester
15:00 GMT		Report	Holt 53'	Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 5,344 Referee: Rob Shoebridge

City got off to a bad start in February, losing 2–1 away at Millwall despite taking an early lead – their first defeat since October, however, they bounced back with a fortunate 2–1 win away at Brighton. The Canaries were 1–0 down going into the final 10 minutes of the match, before Lambert's gamble of having four strikers on the pitch ultimately paid off as Norwich grabbed two late goals through Holt and Doherty to snatch three vital points. In their next game City again suffered defeat, losing 0–2 to Southampton in what was their first home loss under Paul Lambert, but they had a chance to put it right against their next opponents when struggling Southend came to Carrow Road. Despite their respective league positions, it was Southend who scored first, and indeed were still leading 1–0 with only 11 minutes remaining, before super-sub Oli Johnson came on to score two late goals - the winner arriving in the 94th minute - to clinch the game for Norwich in the most dramatic of circumstances. The final game of the month saw the Canaries see out a 1–0 win away at Oldham, which - coupled with inconsistent results for their promotion rivals across February - was enough to have built-up a 5-point gap on second-placed Leeds and, crucially, a 9-point gap on third-placed Charlton.

March

6 March 2010	Norwich City	3–0	Yeovil Town	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	Hoolahan 2' Holt 69' C. Martin 75'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,868 Referee: James Linington

13 March 2010	Huddersfield Town	1–3	Norwich City	Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
15:00 GMT	Trotman 3'	Report	Holt 69' Elliott 74', 85'	Stadium: Galpharm Stadium Attendance: 17,959 Referee: Nigel Miller

20 March 2010	Swindon Town	1–1	Norwich City	Swindon, Wiltshire
15:00 GMT	Greer 90'	Report	Holt 52'	Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 11,972 Referee: Scott Mathieson

27 March 2010	Norwich City	1–0	Leeds United	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 GMT	C. Martin 89'	Report	Kandol  90'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,445 Referee: Lee Probert

As the season started to reach the business end of proceedings, March was a hugely important month for Norwich with fixtures against 3 promotion chasers, including a home game against second-placed Leeds. City began with an easy 3–0 win over Yeovil at Carrow Road, before a tricky looking match at Huddersfield - who were unbeaten at their Galpharm Stadium going into this game - and had put in some impressive home displays. After a disappointing first half, Norwich found themselves 1–0 down going into the break, however, a stirring comeback in the second half saw Grant Holt, who had a hand in all of the goals, grabbing the equaliser before on-loan striker Stephen Elliot bagged a brace to give the Canaries a massive 3–1 win. Next up was a trip to 4th-placed Swindon Town who, despite falling a goal behind to Grant Holt's second-half header, managed to salvage a 92nd-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw. This set the stage for the visit of out-of-form Leeds to Carrow Road and presented Norwich with the opportunity of moving 11 points clear of their nearest rivals if they could muster a victory. The game itself proved to be a tight and cagey affair, but with 89 minutes on the clock, substitute Chris Martin headed home what was to be another dramatic late winner for the Canaries, leaving them ahead of the chasing pack by considerable distance with just 8 games of the season to go.

April

2 April 2010	Tranmere Rovers	3–1	Norwich City	Birkenhead, Merseyside
19:45 BST	Thomas-Moore 6' (pen.), 12' (pen.) Curran 31'	Report	Forster  10' Holt 58'	Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 6,263 Referee: Eddie Ilderton

5 April 2010	Norwich City	2–1	Stockport County	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	McNamee 3' Holt 25'	Report	Ibehre 12'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,353 Referee: Fred Graham

10 April 2010	Norwich City	1–1	Milton Keynes Dons	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	C. Martin 90'	Report	Wilbraham 20'  53'  90'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,888 Referee: Kevin Friend

13 April 2010	Leyton Orient	2–1	Norwich City	Leyton, London
19:45 BST	Thornton 3', 29'	Report	Smith 19'	Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 7,520 Referee: Graham Scott

17 April 2010	Charlton Athletic	0–1	Norwich City	Charlton, London
15:00 BST		Report	Nelson 34'	Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 20,023 Referee: Andy Hall

24 April 2010	Norwich City	2–0	Gillingham	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST	Russell 74' Nelson 82'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,227 Referee: Trevor Kettle

Heading into April and given their advantage at the top of the table, Norwich knew that all that was required was to see the job through to earn promotion. However, the first game of the month proved to be one of the more bizarre games of the season. Away to struggling Tranmere, the home side were awarded two highly dubious penalties in the opening 10 minutes, scoring both, with Fraser Forster also being sent off for Norwich. Tranmere then added a third despite a clear handball, to leave the Canaries furious with the inexplicable performance of referee Eddie Ilderton, before they managed a consolation goal in the second half - but the damage had already been done and the game ended 3–1. Norwich were at least given the perfect opportunity to put things right after that with a home game against bottom team Stockport County following three days later. Whilst the Canaries were far from their best, the game ended in a 2–1 home win that saw Grant Holt become the first Norwich player since 1964 to score 30 goals in a season. MK Dons were the visitors to Carrow Road a few days later in what proved to be a fiery affair. The Dons went 1–0 up in the first half, with City being denied a clear-cut penalty in the second half as the game grew increasingly bad-tempered - the visitors racked up a total of 9 yellow cards (including two for goal-scorer Aaron Wilbraham which saw led to his dismissal) - but once again Chris Martin scored a late goal to rescue a point. With promotion looking as if it could be sealed as early as the next game, City headed to east London to play mid-table Leyton Orient, backed by a bumper away crowd. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be their day as the Canaries were defeated 2–1 by a spirited home side. However, they had a chance to put this right at Charlton. If results went their way, Norwich could be promoted with a win at the ground at which they were relegated 11 months previously. City went ahead through a Michael Nelson header in the first half and, after some terrific saves from Fraser Forster, survived the Charlton onslaught to seal the win and promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking. Considering their opening day mauling and the 15-point lead that Leeds had once held, it was a monumental achievement for Norwich. It also meant that they only needed 1 point from their remaining three games to seal the title - which was duly delivered in their next game following a 2–0 home win over Gillingham.

May

1 May 2010	Bristol Rovers	0–3	Norwich City	Bristol
15:00 BST		Report	C. Martin 31' Johnson 78' Hughes 68'	Stadium: Memorial Stadium Attendance: 8,836 Referee: Phil Gibbs

8 May 2010	Norwich City	0–2	Carlisle United	Norwich, Norfolk
15:00 BST		Report	Madine 1' Price 7'	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 25,181 Referee: Andy Penn

With promotion and the League One title already sealed, it was a case of ending the season on a high for the impressive Canaries. Early promotion contenders Bristol Rovers were comfortably defeated 3–0 in Norwich's final away game of the season, before a surprise 0–2 loss to Carlisle ensured that City finished the season as they started it - with a home defeat. Ultimately though, this did little to dampen the fans' and players' promotion celebrations at the final whistle, with everyone associated with the Canaries left to reflect on what had been a hugely memorable and successful season, which saw them finish 9 points ahead of second-placed Leeds and 10 points clear of third-placed Millwall. Norwich also finished the season as the league's highest scorers, with a huge 89 goals scored across the season.

FA Cup

7 November 2009 Round 1	Paulton Rovers	0–7	Norwich City	Paulton, Somerset
12:45 GMT		Report	Holt 15', 43' C. Martin 24', 77', 83', 85' Hoolahan 74'	Stadium: Winterfield Road Attendance: 2,070 Referee: Andy Hall

28 November 2009 Round 2	Carlisle United	3–1	Norwich City	Carlisle, Cumbria
17:45 GMT	Péricard 12' Hurst 46' Keogh 72'	Report	Holt 26'	Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 3,946 Referee: Nigel Miller

Due to being in League One, City started in the FA Cup in the first round. They started off with a potential banana skin away at non-league Paulton Rovers. However City made easy work of Paulton winning 7–0, although City would not make it to the third round of the cup, losing 3–1 away at Carlisle

League Cup

11 August 2009 Round 1	Yeovil Town	0–4	Norwich City	Yeovil, Somerset
19:45 BST		Report	Hoolahan 55' (pen.) Holt 64', 82', 90'	Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 3,860 Referee: James Linington

24 August 2009 Round 2	Norwich City	1–4	Sunderland	Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 BST	Hoolahan 63' Spillane  83'	Report	Tainio 26' Reid 30', 36' Tudur Jones 67' (o.g.)	Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 12,345 Referee: Anthony Taylor

Norwich once again failed to make any sort of real impact in the Carling Cup, going out in the second round. They managed to pick up a 4–0 away win away at Yeovil with Grant Holt getting a hat-trick in what proved to be Bryan Gunn's final game as manager. Then, in Paul Lambert's second as manager, they lost 4–1 with Lambert putting out a below strength team. Wes Hoolahan grabbed the only goal. The game ended bizarrely with Michael Spillane sent off. Ben Alnwick was forced off injured so City were down to nine men and Cody McDonald was forced to go in goal.

Football League Trophy

1 September 2009 Round 1	Norwich City	1–0	Brentford	Norwich, Norfolk
19:45 BST	C. Martin 30'	Report		Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 12,540 Referee: Gavin Ward

6 October 2009 Round 2	Gillingham	0–1	Norwich City	Gillingham, Kent
19:30 BST		Report	McDonald 66'	Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 2,814 Referee: Steve Cook

10 November 2009 Area quarter-final	Swindon Town	0–0 (3–5 p)	Norwich City	Swindon, Wiltshire
19:30 GMT		Report		Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 4,978 Referee: Graham Horwood
	Penalties
	Paynter Austin Amankwaah Easton		Tudur Jones Hughes Nelson Askou Cureton

15 December 2009 Area semi-final	Southampton	2–2 (6–5 p)	Norwich City	Southampton, Hampshire
19:45 GMT	Papa Waigo 14', 90'	Report	Doherty 33' C. Martin 55'	Stadium: St Mary's Stadium Attendance: 15,453 Referee: Kevin Wright
	Penalties
	Lambert Papa Waigo James Lallana Wotton Hammond Antonio Thomas		Holt R. Martin C. Martin Nelson Russell Otsemobor Gill McDonald

League table

See also

• 2009–10 in English football

References

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25. "City complete signing of Rose". Norwich City F.C. 29 January 2010. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
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Notes

1. Spillane was born in Cambridge, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented them at U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-21 level.
2. Wiggins was born in Hillingdon, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and represented them at U-17, U-19, and U-21 level.
3. Stephens was born in Welwyn Garden City, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and represented them at U-17, U-19 and U-21 level.
4. Kelly was born in Cambridge, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented them at U-19 level.
5. Dawkin was born in St Ives, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally through his mother and represented them at U-17 and U-19 level.
6. Đumić was born in Sarajevo, SFR Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina), but also qualified to represent Denmark internationally and represented them at every youth level between U-17 and U-20 level before making his international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2017.

• Norwich City F.C. seasons
• 2009–10 Football League One by team