As a footballer he was an entertainer and former Canaries' star Darren Huckerby continued to wow the crowds at the launch of his new book.

More than 100 Norwich City fans descended on Jarrold where Huckerby launched his autobiography - Hucks: Through Adversity to Great Heights - which is being serialised in the Evening News this week.

The jet-heeled winger, who made 203 appearances for the Canaries and scored 48 goals between 2003 and 2008, treated fans to a frank and revealing account of his life as a professional footballer, which also included spells at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

The evening, which took place yesterday from 6.30pm, offered people a fascinating insight into the player's life both on and off the pitch during his Carrow Road years when he was arguably the club's biggest star.

As well as getting the chance to have copies of the books signed, supporters also got the chance to question the great man himself.

Speaking to the Evening News just before the event, Huckerby, whose Carrow Road career saw him twice named player of the year and voted into the Norwich City Hall of Fame, said there would be plenty for City fans to enjoy.

He said: 'The vast majority of the book is Norwich for obvious reasons and I'm sure they will enjoy what's in there and hopefully relate to some of the stuff that's been said in there.'

Huckerby said the event provided a welcome opportunity to meet with fans in a city that he has come to call his home.

He said: 'It's different when you're playing - you're never really that approachable. But as soon as you stop playing, especially if you watch the game, you're more of a fan than a player so you tend to associate more with the fans now than you ever did before.'

Huckerby left Norwich soon after the end of the 2008 season when he was told by former boss Glenn Roeder that he would not be offered a new contract - leaving fans furious that they had not been given the opportunity to say goodbye.

The fans' hero, who was named in Norwich's Greatest Ever team during an event at Carrow Road in 2008, then moved to the United States where he played for Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes.

He won the 2008 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award while in America but in September 2009 announced his retirement from the game due to a persistent hip injury.

Nottingham-born Huckerby, who also played for Lincoln, Newcastle, Coventry, Leeds and Millwall, has since returned to Norfolk and launched a registered charity called the Darren Huckerby Trust - with a pledge to give something back to the county which took him to its heart.

He hopes to give something back to the lives of local people in real need, by raising money and awareness for local charities, community projects and individuals in the county.

Further details on the Darren Huckerby Trust are available on the website www.darrenhuckerbytrust.co.uk

Charities looking to get help and support from the Darren Huckerby Trust should email enquiries@darrenhuckerbytrust.co.uk

The day Hucks got a call from Ipswich - page 71.

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