A 2-1 win, a last-minute victory, celebration scenes that will be plastered over social media for at least the next week... and I missed it.
It’s never a good feeling to miss such a high point for your club but in a way I was lucky, as there was something I got to experience live that those in the ground did not – Chris Goreham’s radio commentary.
Chris is as synonymous with Norwich City as our colours, our stadium, our chants.
He provides the soundtrack to Norwich’s highs and lows, capturing the essence of the club with an authenticity that goes beyond the reach of most commentators.
He’s been there through promotions, relegations, cup runs, and all the memorable moments in between. In a field where personalities come and go his presence represents something deeper than commentary: he is the voice of the Norwich City experience, and one I struggle to remember a time without.
The role of radio commentary is different to that of television commentary – the supporters, of course, cannot see the action, so the commentator’s job is to make the absent fan feel as if they’re watching it unfold.
They can’t just relay facts or describe the action, they must convey insight, context, and (as is one of Chris’ greatest strengths) emotion. It isn’t enough to simply state who has the ball, or what direction play is heading in; the true skill is in capturing the heartbeat of the game.
One of the most important aspects of Chris’ commentary is his ability to conjure a sense of community. He’s a Norwich supporter, he knows what these moments mean to the fans, and it shines through.
At its heart football is a game of connections, whether it be fans to players, players to the club, or fans to one another. For so many Norwich fans, especially those who cannot make it to a game, Chris’ voice is a lifeline.
His familiar tone makes every match feel personal and special, whether it’s a play-off final or a pre-season friendly.
We’re lucky to have the coverage that we do. There have been so many occasions where I’ve watched a Norwich match on television and suffered through the inane commentary from pundits who clearly know little about us, only to become frustrated and seek out Radio Norfolk instead.
Why would you want to listen to someone whose knowledge of Norwich City stops at “let’s be ‘avin you” when you could have insight from people who care just as much about the club as you do?
Some national broadcasters struggle to convey depth of feeling for a club that’s not rooted deep in who they are as a person, but Chris’ commentary comes from a genuine, lifelong bond with the club.
That’s not to say his words are unfailingly positive – not even the most die-hard fan would want that – but they are realistic and based on a mixture of fact and lived experience. They’re relatable.
At a time where football and sports media in general can sometimes feel detached and dispassionate, Chris is a reminder of how good it can be. He is integral to the experience of being a Norwich City fan – how many of our greatest moments can be recalled with just a few well-chosen words?
When Norwich are flying high his enthusiasm is infectious, but when we face the difficult times he doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges and struggles, doing so in a way that never comes across as dismissive or disingenuous. He is balanced and considered; fans trust him to tell the truth about our club.
The bond between Norwich fans and the club has always been special, and Chris’ work helps maintain that. I might not have been at Carrow Road when Simeone Jackson scored his hat-trick, or Amankwah Forson rescued us against Coventry, but listening to Chris’ commentary makes me feel like I was.
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