BRYAN GUNN was a loyal servant for the Canaries playing 478 games during a 12 year spell. After a brief spell back in Scotland with Hibernian, Gunn returned to Norwich in a hospitality role before helping out more so in the sports management side of things. Gunn took roles such as helping out with negotiations with players, goalkeeping coach, head of player recruitment and also had a spell as Manager. Today, Bryan kindly joins us for a fascinating interview.

THE INTERVIEW.

Q: I think it’s been noted you weren’t always in goal during your early days, why did you choose to take up the gloves full time?

A: I actually played in 3 different positions as a youngster – goalkeeper, centre half and striker. I was in goals for the men’s amateur team I played for – Invergordon FC – who played in the North Reserve League. I was centre half for my school teams and striker for the amateur u -16’s. I joined Aberdeen on schoolboys forms when I was 14 so it was more than likely I was going to be a goalkeeper then, although Alex Ferguson played me outfield in some youth tournaments and also in one of the reserve games at Pittodrie before the 1985 Scottish Cup final – I scored a goal in front of the entire 1st team squad who were watching the game.

Q: What kind of place was Aberdeen to grow up? Especially under Alex Ferguson?

A: Aberdeen was a great place to grow up, I left home at 16 and couldn’t have gone to a better place – everything was buzzing the football, the oil industry and the nightlife (although Alex Ferguson didn’t approve of that).

Q: Making your debut for Scotland U21s, what sort of a moment is that? Is it still one of pride, despite not being the full senior side?

A: I’m trying to remember it and how could I forget – East Germany away, it was 0-0 and we played on a snow covered pitch. Not too many goalies have had a clean sheet in East Germany.

Q: Although not making so many appearances at Aberdeen, what did you take away from your time there?

A: I was learning my trade working with a great manager, staff and players. I only played 25 games but had some great experiences including winning Scottish League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup medals. I am still friends (all their numbers are in my mobile) with all of my ex-teammates and we have regular reunions to celebrate that great win against Real Madrid in 1983.

Q: Is it a strange relationship between a first choice goalie and sub goalkeeper?

A: It is a strange relationship but it has to be professional and respectful of both parties. Jim Leighton and I were great friends, training, spending time together on the golf course and even regular meals with his family. I tried to do the same with some of my understudies over the years but you can only have one number one!!!

Q: You settled in well at Norwich, how was it for you getting a clear run of games?

A: There was no guarantee of a 1st team place at Norwich as I moved to the club when we were sitting top of Division 1 and Graham Benstead was having an excellent run in goals after Chris Wood’s departure to Rangers. Unfortunately he dislocated his shoulder at Anfield and I got in for the next game – a Full Members Cup tie v Coventry – and never looked back for there. I made my league debut v Spurs the next game and we ended up finishing 4th that season.

Q: Let’s talk about that Arsenal scramble in 1989; I think that takes the term goalmouth scramble to a new level! How was that to be involved in? And generally, how is it when the ball can’t be cleared and you’re stood in between the posts?

A: Are you talking about the Highbury Brawl? I think the fact we were 3-2 up with 1 minute to play and then we lost 2 penalty kicks to make the score 3-4 made for a lot of tension in that penalty box! There was actually 21 players in there when the 1st bit kicked off, I was trying to calm people down then Tony Adams and David O’Leary decide to join the party. I was unfortunately caught aiming a punch at Tony Adams – how did they know it was me? I had my name on the gloves!!. Tony and I had a pint in the bar afterwards but it cost me 2 weeks wages and the club a suspended £50,000 fine!

Q: Going into Europe must have been amazing, what did the Bayern Munich clash away mean to you?

A: It meant winning £100 in the sweep we had on the bus to Oldham after our win over Vitesse Arnhem. I had already been to the Olympic Stadium with Aberdeen in 1983 and watched the 0-0 draw from the bench – Aberdeen won the 2nd leg 3-2. It was great to get the chance to go back and play there myself with Norwich City. I was also Scotland’s No1 at the time so this was another magnificent stadium to experience playing in.

Q: What was your favourite save during your time at Norwich?

A: Well I always say my BEST save was in Munich from Aldopho Valencia late in the game! My favourite save would be the double save from Dean Saunders at the Baseball Ground – he was renowned that season for blasting his penalties in, mostly down the middle. I stood up to his kick, saved it and then saved his rebound; I think we won 2-1 that day!!

Q: How much did that testimonial game mean to you against Manchester United?

A: It meant a lot to me in many ways – the loyalty rewarded by the club, the opportunity to support my charity and the fans who supported and enjoyed it on the night and at some of the other events we had. The fact that Sir Alex had continued to support me and my family meant a lot as well.

Q: What would you say you took away from your playing spell at Norwich?

A: Over 12 years playing with many top players, some who stayed and some who moved onto other clubs. I still speak to many of them for different reasons and it is good to still have that relationship over 25 years. Of course I played under some great managers who I’m still in touch with.

Q: How does a goalkeeper’s matchday preparation differ from outfield players? Is it quite a lonely role at times?

A: Well now in the age of goalkeeper coaches you have someone who will help organise a routine for you, in my day I did it myself with the help of an outfield player or the number 2 keeper. I would normally go through a very rigorous pre-match routine and get ready for whatever the game had to throw at me. It is a lonely place but you have to keep your concentration as you can be called upon at any time, I would normally focus on everything that was happening in the game (even the crowds chanting my name would help).

Q: What did it mean for you playing for Scotland at full international level?

A: It meant a lot as I had been capped at every other age group before that, unfortunately the debut did not go well and we got beat 1-3 by Egypt at Pittodrie Stadium. It was a great occasion for me as it was at Pittodrie where I learned my trade as a player and all of my family and friends were there, even my mate Gordon Irving made it all the way up from Essex. It was a poor team performance on the night in the build up to Italia 90 so that was disappointing but nobody could take away that 1st cap.

Q: You’ve come through some pretty rough situations in life, how did you make yourself don the gloves for that game against QPR after the tragic death of your daughter?

A: That was a joint decision from Susan and I and it was something that Francesca would have wanted so it was easy in a way, she had been coming to games and enjoying the atmosphere at games during her illness. The crowd were fantastic on the day but I was also really helped by Mike Walker and John Deehan wanting me to play.

Q: I really admire what you’re doing with your Leukaemia appeal, so do you want to tell us a little bit about it? And perhaps how we could get involved?

A: Well it is unbelievable to think that it has been going for 19 years and has raised over £1,000,000 in that time. A big thank you must go the public for continuing to support it over the years and my Appeal Chairman, Keith Colman, for continuing the hard work behind the scenes. The charity continues to support the projects that have been set up for the benefit of children, their parents and their families. The best way to catch up with what we have done is via the website on www.bryangunnsappeal.org. We are in the process of organising some more fundraising events in 2012 and hope to announce another project too, so watch this space. Thanks to everyone who has supported the Bryan Gunn Appeal over the years.

Q: You eventually ended up at Norwich again as manager, how does a manager’s matchday routine differ from that off a players?

A: Well as a player you can have a nice long lie-in and then get yourself prepared for the game (well I did anyway), as a manager you tend to be up early for breakfast to meet with your staff to go through any last minute preparations eg. Set plays or team changes. If the youth team were playing at home then I would normally try to take in some of that and then head for the stadium and get ready for the team meeting at 1.45pm in the dressing room, that would normally be watching Sky Sports or the opposition set plays in the managers room and then a final chat with all of the staff. Games away from home would be slightly different as you would be staying overnight in a hotel so after breakfast, there would be a team walk, pre-match meal, team meeting then off to the stadium for the match, so away from home it would be similar to the players.

Q: Obviously things were a bit rough during your spell as gaffer, but I want to say that what you did was brave, Roeder had left the club in a state and to take over and give your all as you did really took something – you never let us down! Did you have any regrets?

A: Unfortunately things didn’t work out the way I wanted but we did our best with the resources we had at the time. We had 19 games left in the 2008/09 season to gain enough points to stay in the Championship, we ended up with 5 wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats (the most disappointing factor being we lost 5 of the last 6 games). I didn’t realise that losing Wes Hoolahan for the last 7 games would have had the impact that it did, also we had some awful refereeing decisions – I remember two in particular, Andy D’Urso’s in the home game with Bristol City and Mick Russell’s in the Sheffield Wednesday match. At least Mr Russell had the decency to phone and apologise on the Monday after he saw his 2 decisions that cost us three points, still waiting for Mr D’Urso’s call (I think Glenn upset him in the other game with Bristol City). My only regret was letting the fans and directors down at Charlton – a horrible day.

Q: What do you think went wrong for Michael Theoklitos; I thought he looked fairly decent. Was it just nerves? I mean he’s doing very well in Australia again!

A: I am so disappointed that it did not work for Mickey at the Club, he is a great lad and had he got the right breaks he would have been a top keeper too. He was nervous on the day of the Colchester match but no more than anyone else would have been making their debut in front of a sell-out crowd but what happened next still baffles me, it was an awful team performance (enough said)!!! I am delighted he has gone back to Australia and shown what a good keeper he is and that his team Brisbane Roar are champions of Oz.

Q: What do you make of Norwich’s return to the Premiership?

A: Nobody was more delighted than me when Norwich City returned back to the Premier League. The club has built up all of the facilities on and off the pitch that are of Premier League quality, unfortunately apart from the 1992-95 seasons and the 2004/05 season we’ve not managed to sustain membership in there. I believe that club are in a great position now to sustain a challenge in the top league and stay there for many years to come. Hopefully there will be great times ahead for the fans and owners of the club.

Q: A quick word for City’s current number one, John Ruddy – do you think he’s worth an England call-up?

A: Definitely, I have watched a number of games in the North West 9and on telly) and have been impressed with his performances, I would hope that the England staff have him on the radar, the least they could do is get him involved in a get together.

Q: Is it important as a more experienced keeper to nurture the younger ones? Ruddy seems to be helping out Jed Steer and Declan Rudd a bit.

A: I’m sure that they all work well together and there is a great camaraderie and competitive edge in the training sessions. Jeff Wood (goalkeeping coach) will also have a big say in the way they all work and develop in the future.

Q: What would you like your son Angus to achieve in the game?

A: My hope for Angus is that he has a career in the professional game – at what level I don’t know but the way he has progressed so far he is showing good signs that he will achieve that. He is really focussed on where he wants to get to and had a great grounding at Norwich City’s Academy, now it is up to Manchester City to take him to the next level! I would also like him to play for Scotland but that may not happen now!!

Q: Who was the hardest striker you ever came up against?

A: Easy answer to this one – Billy Whitehurst who played for Oxford Utd in the 80’s. He put me into the net at the “River End” in a league game, he was still playing 1970’s rules when you could barge the keeper, and he must have forgot they changed!!

Q: Being a keeper, you’re not always involved in the game, do you become more aware of the crowd or is it vital to keep focus?

A: I think I covered this briefly in an earlier question but I was always focussed on where the play was, only doing a few sprints when the ball went out of play. Obviously I would respond to the crowd on occasions – “Gunny, Gunny give us a wave” (then make out I hadn’t heard it) and also “We don’t care he’s got no hair Bryan, Bryan Gunn” but I remained focussed at all times.

Q: Finally, what would you like to say to Norwich fans on your time at the club?

A: As the owner once said “we have the best football fans in the land” – I would have to agree – apart from the Snake-Pit 2!!

Many thanks to Bryan for kindly agreeing to answer these questions. He’s given us a truly fantastic insight here and it’s greatly appreciated. I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing Gunny all the best for the future, he put his heart and soul into this club and will always be a real legend at Carrow Road.

Next week we’ll be joined by a former Norwich City centre-back who has more than contributed to our excellent rise.

In: Cory Varney Thread By: Supermarket Prodigy [391 ] Posted: 90 days ago