Let\’s be \’Avin You

Adam Drury is quite simply a no-fuss, uncomplicated, model professional footballer.

Once described by Barry Fry as “the best left-back outside the Premiership”, Drury is currently the longest serving player at Carrow Road, having joined the club in March 2001. (Which alone makes him my favourite player at present.)

To say his time at City has been littered with highs and lows would be a fait assessment; defeat in the 2002 Play-Off final to Birmingham; Fans player of the year in 2002-03; Captain of the side that won promotion to the Premiership in 2003-04 season; Loss of form and captaincy in 2004-05; Numerous injuries that have limited his appearances over the past two seasons….yep, highs and lows indeed.

Whilst Drury has the unfortunate association of representing City in three tiers of the English football league, he insists he has no regrets about staying at a club he could easily have left.

Drury admits he has had a couple of opportunities to leave City, but made the decision to stay at Norwich. He knows he could have put pressure on the managers at the time, or made things awkward, but in his words, “I never wanted to be like that, and it’s not the sort of person I am.”

Indeed he’s not, because Drury is one of a dying breed; prepared to stay loyal to a club rather than jump ship the minute things get a bit rough, or the chance to earn a bit more money presents itself. Always prepared to give his all for the cause, that was none more so evident against Carlisle away a couple of weeks ago – having witnessed the birth of his baby daughter on the Friday, Drury hitched a ride on Delia’s plane on the Saturday morning, arriving at the ground barely an hour before kick-off to take his place in the starting line-up. His commitment is never in question.

Drury is about to reach 300-appearances for the club – that would’ve come a lot sooner if it had not been for the unfortunate injuries Drury has had to contend with over the past two seasons – and whilst he is not ready to contemplate seeing his career out at City, it is something he said, “would be nice.” For Drury, it is all about playing every game and sticking clear of the injuries that have plagued him in recent times.

For me, Drury has had an outstanding season so far. On his day, he is a top left back. Composed, reliable, solid in the tackle, and in particular this season, brilliant at getting forward and supporting the attack. Our defence is all the better when Drury is in the side.

Lambert has called Drury a “model professional; a terrific pro.”

I couldn’t have put it better myself.

Here’s to many more City appearances Adam! OTBC.

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