Inside Kellen Fisher’s remarkable rise from Bromley to City.
One of the most impressive subplots behind Norwich City’s Championship campaign has been the emergence of Kellen Fisher at right-back. Few would have predicted that the England youth international would or could displace the seasoned Jack Stacey in that role in pre-season, but his performances, coupled with the tactical opportunity it presents Johannes Hoff Thorup, have made it a reality.
Norwich City: Tennis star Alfie Hewett on love for Canaries.
There are almost no lengths that Norwich City fans won’t go to support their team.
Whether it’s testing trips across the country, other commitments put on the back burner or eye-watering sums spent to get closer to the action, the commitment those supporters have to the Canaries is regularly astounding.
But it’s rare to retain such commitment to the club as an elite professional elite, with all the carefully managed routines and hard work that entails. That’s exacerbated in tennis, where players hop between countries on a near-weekly basis, adapting to different time zones and cultures at rapid pace.
That hasn’t stopped 30-time wheelchair grand slam champion Alfie Hewett, however, with his mission to keep up with his beloved football club paramount.
“I’m a big fan,” he told the Pink Un Podcast. “I want the team to do well, I want them to succeed and win as many games as possible. I’ve been told off a few times by my team for maybe getting up in the early hours of the morning when I’ve got a match to prepare for!
“They go ‘you look at bit tired today Alfie’, and then they look and Norwich are playing at two in the morning on the other side of the world. I can’t get away with that one, can I?
“So yeah, I’ll always try to follow them. They’re a big part of my upbringing, and there’s a lot of meaning behind it. When I was going through what I was going through, just being able to watch football and go there was part of getting over it. That’s why I fell in love with the sport and the club, and they’ve been nothing but supportive.”
‘Support’ is the operative word in Hewett’s relationship with City, which is one that goes both ways. While he’s a fan of those in the dressing room, many of them are fans of his. Their backing means a great deal to the 26-year-old, from former first-team players to relatively new ones.
“There are a few players who have kept in touch and been following me, Kenny (McLean) and Grant (Hanley),” he continued. “Tim Krul is still someone who does watch out and messages, even though he’s not with the club anymore. Some of the new lads as well, Callum Doyle.
“It’s just nice to have people like that, who I look up to and watch weekly actually seeing and recognising what I do. Even people like Ben Knapper, he had a conversation with me and was completely aware of everything I’ve done. He’s obviously fresh into the club as well, so that was quite touching.”
