Football fan Ian Clarke has finally made it onto the field of dreams – playing a game with Norwich City heroes on the hallowed turf of Carrow Road.

It is the dream of every Canaries fan to tread the same turf as their heroes and, along with about 30 other supporters, he got the chance to do just that during a Football Aid charity match.

The Eastern Daily Press reporter said afterwards: “OK, so I had run on to the hallowed pitch twice before – but both times I had to evade stewards during celebratory invasions in the 1980s.

“So it was pretty special to be taking to the carpet-like surface at Carrow Road in my beloved colours of yellow and green without breaking the law.

“After a tour round the ground and donning our kits in the famous changing rooms, we had to pinch ourselves as we took to the pitch for a warm-up.

“As a late addition to the home team squad, I had expected a quick run-out at the end. That would have been enough for a lad who has cheered Canary teams at my own theatre of dreams for nearly a quarter of a century.

“But after 20 minutes the dream took on a new dimension as I came on as substitute at right back to replace our skipper Peter Mendham – yes, that guy I had idolised during the Milk Cup final at Wembley in 1985.”

The enthusiastic crowd enjoyed an exciting game – which the home team won 5-3, but Ian reckons he won’t figure too highly in Sven’s thoughts as he ponders his final squad for Japan and Korea.

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