Roy’s nostalgic look back to autumn 1977 in Norwich

One of a series of slides taken by Roy Male from the top of the J J Colman building in Carrow Road in September 1977 and never before published. (Image: Archant)

Roy Male was the photographer and he worked at Colman's where he took these fascinating photographs from the top of one of the buildings. Roy has been a lifelong Canary fan since the early 1960s and is a season ticket holder in the Upper Barclay.

'I took them because I have always had an interest in photography and, as the occasion arose, thought it would be a good idea to snap it as it was, before the inevitable developments took place,' he said. Times have changed – both on and off the pitch.

The stadium and the area have been completely re-developed in a relatively short space of time. While the ground has been rebuilt for the 21st century and what is now Premier League football – okay we have slipped down a division but we will return – Riverside has emerged, bringing with it hundreds of homes, along with shops, clubs, pubs and even a cinema, bowling alley and swimming pool. Not forgetting two bridges.

The huge Riverside Works of Boulton & Paul has gone along with much of the railway deports and workshop, the mills have closed and the ships no longer use the river. While Carrow Works, the home of the Colman empire, and Laurence Scott & Electromotors, are still flying the Norwich flag, parts of their factories have become flats and apartments.

One of a series of slides taken by Roy Male from the top of the J J Colman building in Carrow Road in September 1977 and never before published. (Image: Archant)

Roy worked for Colman's and then Britvic for just under 30 years as a production planner before taking early retirement in 2007. And as for the football since his September 1977 photographs...

When Roy was taking these pictures of the ground the Canary manager was a flamboyant and colourful character called Bond... John Bond. He brought the good times back to Norwich in the 1970s, a time of big hair, wide lapels and flared trousers.

Bond, with his trademark cigar, teamed up with his old mate Ken Brown. He put together a side which played stylish football and was full of characters. Ted MacDougall, World Cup winner Martin Peters, Martin Chivers, Kevin Reeves, Phil Boyer, Dave Stringer and of course, the one and only iron man - Duncan Forbes.

The return to the first division saw big improvements at Carrow Road but let's not forget that there was also hooliganism and in April of 1977 Manchester United fans attacked Norwich supporters and caused extensive damage to the stadium. There have been good times. There have been bad times. But whatever is happening on the pitch, the fans will be there.

Come on you yellows!