Norwich City Football Club

Norwich City FC orders brewer to withdraw 'On the Ball' ale

Norwich City FC have ordered a Norfolk brewer to stop selling a beer named On the Ball, claiming it infringes the club's intellectual property rights.

Colin Emms, who runs Why Not Brewery at Thorpe St Andrew, received a letter from the club threatening legal action.

Mr Emms, 53, a lifelong Canaries fan, said he would withdraw the beer but felt "bullied" by the club.

The club, which has the anthem "On The Ball, City", said any unauthorised use of its brand is unacceptable.

Mr Emms, a season ticket holder at the club's Carrow Road ground, said he first began brewing the 4.5% ABV amber ale three years ago.

The bottled beer's label features the club's canary crest.

"On the Ball, City" dates back to the 1890s and is thought to be the world's oldest football song still in use today.

Mr Emms received a letter from Jamie Arnall, the club's head of legal affairs, last month.

Mr Emms was given a deadline of 10 June to comply or face legal action.

He said: "They are threatening and bullying me. I agreed to take the club's crest off but they still won't let me call it 'On the Ball'.

"I feel devastated. As far as I'm concerned they don't own green and yellow and 'On the Ball'.

"I just can't believe what I'm doing is going to harm a club of that size.

"It hasn't put me off following them but it's certainly tainted my passion for them."

In a statement Norwich City FC said the club's identity was its most important asset.

"Improper use of the Norwich City identity affects the club's ability to license use of its brand to its key sponsors and partners.

"We lose the ability to control the quality of goods associated with the club and in turn this damages the level of revenue it can generate from commercial deals, subsequently reducing the amount of money for investment in the first team squad.

"The club's position on prolonged misuse of its brand is clear. After fair warning, any continuing misuse will result in further legal action and/or issuing a ban from Carrow Road.

Norwich City: From League One To The Premier League In 2 Years ...

TheHardTackle continues its analysis of the three teams that were promoted to the Premier League from the Championship. At the cost of West Ham, Blackpool and Birmingham, the world will be watching Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City and Swansea City fight it out in the big league. Having already covered champions Queens Park Rangers , we now turn our attentions to the runners-up and the incredible story of Norwich City.

Paul Lambert - Ex-Scotland midfielder Lambert enjoyed a successful playing career, winning the 1997 Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, before transferring t o Celtic, where he racked up 4 Scottish league titles and numerous domestic cups. In June 2005, he embarked on his managerial career at Livingston, enduring a difficult tenure as he won only two games. After resigning less than 9 months into the job, he moved south of the border to manage Wycombe Wanderers, and then Colchester United. After hammering Norwich in their own back yard, Lambert was appointed Carrow Road chief, enjoying success from day one. His attacking philosophy combined with the team spirit he instils, means Lambert is one of the brightest managerial prospects in the game.

Twelve months ago, the club was said to have debts of around £20m. Although it’s not clear of the current debt figures, cost-cutting measures have appeared to have reduced it. The money generated from successive promotions will also have helped. In February, an injection of £2m from deputy chairman Michael Foulger was made available for transfers, whilst joint-majority shareholders TV Stars Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones both contribute financially.

Formed in 1902, it wasn’t until 1962 that Norwich saw their first major trophy arrive when victory over Rochdale gave them the League Cup. Ten years later, under manager Ron Saunders, they won the Second division title to finally reach the top flight. In what was a busy time for the club, they reached the League Cup final again in 1973, losing to Spurs, got relegated in 1974 and lost Saunders as manager. John Bond was appointed as his replacement and immediately guided the Canaries back to the First Division as well as another League Cup final defeat at Wembley.

1980-81 saw Bond leave for Manchester City and another relegation ensued. But as was often the case, they bounced straight back up the following season. 1985 is a season remembered for good and bad reasons. Good because Norwich lifted the League Cup after beating Sunderland, but bad because they suffered relegation again. The second division title was captured the following season, then Norwich finally adjusted to the top division with top 5 finishes in both 1987 and 1989.

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