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Bryan Gunn recalls that air-kick ahead of Sunday’s East Anglian derby
Norwich City goalkeeper Bryan Gunn holds his head in his hands after his East Anglian derby blunder in 1996. Photo: Archant - Credit: Archant
Former Ipswich Town and Norwich City players have recounted their East Anglian derby memories ahead of Sunday’s clash between the sides at Portman Road.
The rivalry is explained to the nation tomorrow night when Sky Sports screen a documentary featuring interviews with ex-players, fans and footage of classic games.
EX-City goalkeeper Bryan Gunn – whose son Angus in now in goal for the Canaries – describes that fateful air-kick in Town’s 2-1 win at Portman Road in 1996.
• Town legends scoffs at Norwich striker’s ‘better club’ claim
“To be fair I don’t actually blame Robbie Ullathorne for that goal, I blame Mike Milligan!” Gunn recalls. “Because if you watch in the build-up he passes the ball back to Robbie Ullathorne, who can only pass it back to me.
“I came out and met it roundabout the penalty spot and had an almighty swing at it, unfortunately it’s hit a bobble and gone past me at knee height and bobbled its way into the net.
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“I was at a golf day in Norwich the other day and somebody brought it up! I played 477 games for Norwich and this game seems to be the one that everyone always mentions.”
• QUIZ: Are you an East Anglian derby expert?
Town legend John Wark – the record goalscorer in East Anglian derby history – recalls getting sent off as City won 3-0 at Carrow Road in March 1995.
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“They had a good team at the time,” Wark admits. “They had young Darren Eadie – who I think was about 15 at the time and I was about 37, so he was slightly faster than me!
“So I actually tried to get him in the first half and I was that late that I got him in the second.”
• Reporters from both sides of the border have their say ahead of the action
Goalkeeper Andy Marshall talks about his controversial move from Norwich to Ipswich in 2001, Alex Mathie reflects on his hat-trick in Town’s ‘demolition derby’ 5-0 win in 1998, while ex-Blues man Jamie Clapham also features.
– The documentary is being shown on Sky Sports Football at 7.30pm tomorrow night (Tuesday) and will be repeated throughout the week ahead of Sunday’s game (12pm ko).
• COMMENT: Town can finally regain bragging rights – and here’s why
